Now seeking applicants for its seventh year, Gladstone’s Library’s competitive Writer in Residence programme provides space and resources for four writers whose work engages with liberal values. By liberal values, we do not mean views aligned with any one political ideology, but rather:
- a commitment to freedom and social justice;
- tolerance and respect of difference;
- open-mindedness coupled with intellectual curiosity;
- generosity of spirit and a willingness to learn from others.
About the library: Founded by William Ewart Gladstone in 1894, the Library is committed to maintaining his legacy of engagement with social, moral and ethical questions. It does not claim to provide any of the answers but it does offer a comfortable, sociable and stimulating environment so that answers may be found. unparalleled resources for creative study including renowned collections of historical, cultural, theological and political materials: 32,000 books came from Gladstone’s own library, many containing annotations made by Gladstone himself. We know from his diaries that Gladstone read on average five books a week – any applicants can be sure that the Library has something to offer them. The connections Gladstone made between the various disciplines he collected helped shape his form of liberalism.
About the programme: Through reflection and writing during their stay, Writers in Residence help redefine liberal values for the 21st Century. Their engagement might be critical, supportive or merely observant. Gladstone was a polymath with interests ranging widely across religion, history, social justice and politics from Classical times to what was, for him, contemporary culture. The scope of these four residencies is equally wide and we welcome fiction and non-fiction writers.
Gladstone’s Library is unique. It is the only residential library in the United Kingdom. It provides a meeting place dedicated to dialogue, debate and learning for open-minded individuals. The Residency programme is designed to share the Library’s benefits with as many people as we can, broadening the Library’s audience and benefiting from their perspectives in turn. The Library welcomes all, regardless of gender, race, class, sexual orientation or religious affiliation. All Writers in Residence will be at ease with this inclusive ethos.
Dates and places: Four places will be awarded to writers working in the English language. The proposed dates of the tenures are February, May, September and November 2018. They like to support writers as best we can and we know that many cannot simply abscond from regular life for a month. Residencies can therefore be taken in two two-week blocks, and residencies of a single fortnight will also be considered. They are also flexible with dates. Please indicate the length and suggested date of Residency on your application.
Writers at all stages of their career should feel able to apply for Residency. They are proud to say that Residencies have supported some of the finest writers in the English language, whether they won for their seventeenth book or their first.
What you get:
- Accommodation in an ensuite room for a period of four consecutive weeks;
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and refreshments (telephone calls, alcoholic drinks, packaged snacks and formal Afternoon Tea are not included);
- Travel expenses to and from the Library at the start and end of the residency (HMRC mileage allowance or standard bus/train fares within the UK);
- An honorarium of £100.00 per week.
Residency requirements:
- Attend the official London prizewinning ceremony in October
- Participate, where possible, in any other publicity events held before or after their residency;
- Respond to media/press enquiries as appropriate and by prior agreement with the library’s warden, Peter Francis;
- Submit two blog posts to the Gladstone’s Library website;
- Lead a creative writing workshop to not more than twenty participants;
- Give an evening talk about any aspect of their writing and/or creative life;
- Abide by the normal terms and conditions for guests staying at Gladstone’s Library.
What to submit:
- a one page CV / biography;
- a copy of the book they would like the judges to consider;
- a 250-word statement about their take on (re)defining ‘liberal values’;
- 250 words on the work that they plan to do at the Library;
- a 250-word proposal for an evening event and day masterclass;
- the length and suggested dates of their residency.
How to apply: Please be sure to read the full terms and conditions before applying.
Submissions should be sent to Louisa Yates, Gladstone’s Library, Church Lane, Hawarden, Flintshire, CH5 3DF.
Deadline: Monday 30 April 2018 (postmark deadline)
Source: @Playwriting_UK