Kwani Trust invites applications for a 5-session writing workshop to be held from July 3rd to 10th, 2018 in Nairobi. Following Kwani?’s pursuit of developing new contemporary writing, the workshop seeks to work with writers who are working on long-term projects for publication. 

These first five workshop sessions will be curated by Kwani? Editor, Billy Kahora and Kenyan writer, Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, and will be based on an interactive methodology with participants discussing their most immediate writing needs to develop ongoing work to completion. The five-day workshop will allow the participants enough time to select the most important aspects of their work for discussion with both fellow participants and the tutors. At the end of the workshop Kwani Trust will offer editorial readings of a substantive amount of the writers’ ongoing work based on workshop discussions.  

This initiative is part of Kwani Trust’s plans to develop a long-term creative writing programme and is based on our observation that Kenya needs more venues that support the development of existing manuscripts from draft to publication. This will be the first in a series of workshops trialing new models of creative writing teaching that are responsive to the context of contemporary Kenyan and African creativity. This work also forms part of a research collaboration with the University of Bristol and the University of Exeter documenting and mapping a longer history of creative writing teaching on the African continent.

To apply: 

Please email kwaniwritingworkshop2018@gmail.com by midnight Thursday 14^th June 2018 with the following:

Email Subject Line: 2018 Writing Workshop Application

Writing sample of work-in-progress (2500-3000 words) (Word or PDF)

Cover letter with three paragraphs describing the work and three aspects of the same that the writer is struggling with.

Your availability and preferred times and dates across 3^rd to 10^th July 2018.

Age:

Location:

Phone number:

Email address:

ONLY successful candidates will be advised of their attendance by 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday 19^th June 2018.

*We will determine the exact timings of the sessions between 3^rd and 10^th July based on preferences and availability shared as part of the application process.  Participants must be available for all five sessions, so please do not apply if you are not available for a minimum of five days across this period.  Transport within Nairobi and meals will be provided.