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Suffolk Community Libraries, National Centre for Writing and Suffolk Wildlife Trust are looking for six up-and-coming short-form writers to take part in an intensive residency, engaging creatively with nature, landscape, and communities.

• Location(s): Felixstowe Library, Ipswich County Library, Framlingham Library, Southwold Library.
• Dates: Monday 24 – Friday 28 November
• Duration: 5 days @ £140 per day
• Fee: Suffolk Community Libraries will pay a total fee of £700 to each participating artist. We will also cover reasonable travel and lunch expenses.

What is the Wild Pages residency?

Are you an emerging short-form writer living in Suffolk and looking to develop your written craft and community practice? Wild Pages gives you the chance to collaborate with fellow writers, develop your voice, and hone your skills in delivering workshops and activities with an eco-focus to people of all ages.

Over the course of the week, you’ll take part in talks and workshops led by environmentally conscious organisations and community artists, offered self-led creative and field research time, and encouraged to share your work with the public.

Who we’re looking for

This residency is open to people living or working in Suffolk, or who have a strong connection to the county.

We are looking for applications from a diverse range of short-form writers working in different formats, such as writers of short fiction, poets, diarists, essayists, songwriters, and scriptwriters for short plays or monologues, and any other written mediums.

We aim to work with writers who consider themselves ‘emerging’. Formal qualifications are not required and we encourage self-taught writers.

As a library service, we are motivated to work with people who are underrepresented and from low-income backgrounds. We are especially interested in working with creatives who are curious about community-building and sharing their experiences, skills and passions with others.

What’s involved in this residency

We’re looking for writers who will use this residency to actively develop their practice while engaging with our libraries. By the end of the residency, we ask participating writers to have:

• Completed a first draft for new a piece of short-form written work – inspired by locations and themes throughout the residency – that they are happy to share publicly.
• Designed a workshop, activity or simple resource that they could deliver to the public in the future – opportunities to develop and deliver this work in libraries will be made available to participating writers.

This residency is happening as part of our annual Wild Reads campaign, which encourages people to read about, celebrate and get out in nature. We want people to discover libraries as supportive environments for creative expression, education, and conversation about our world.

Benefits of taking part

Writers can expect:

• A supportive and welcoming creative environment
• Access to the library’s collections, archives, and research resources
• Opportunities to showcase your work, both during and after the residency
• A chance to develop your skills and grow your professional and peer network.

Find out more information in our application pack (PDF).

How to apply

To apply to this residency, please complete the application form below.

If you have any problems completing this form or would like to enquire about submitting your application in an alternative format, email: libraries.arts@suffolk.gov.uk

Application deadline: 17:00 on Monday 20 October

Online interviews: Wednesday 5 November