Applications Open: Genesis Jewish Book Week Emerging Writers’ Programme
27 April 2022
Mentorship from established authors, bursaries of up to £1,500 and an event at London’s longest-running literary festival are among the features of the second annual Genesis Jewish Book Week Emerging Writers’ Programme – with applications now open.
The Programme is open to emerging writers over 18 years of age and living in the UK with no more than three years’ experience of being published. Applications, open until 31 May, are invited for projects in the fields of Fiction, Non-Fiction (including journalism) and Poetry. Applicants should be working, or planning to work, on a specific project, with the aim of publication.
A partnership between the Genesis Foundation and Jewish Book Week, the inaugural programme culminated last month with a full-house panel discussion at Kings Place for the latter’s 70th anniversary festival, where the selected writers were joined by mentors including Tracy Chevalier, George Szirtes and Kavita Puri.
John Studzinski, Founder and Chairman of the Genesis Foundation said:
“The Genesis Foundation is pleased to partner with Jewish Book Week for a second year on their new initiative. The pilot year was a success and we’re excited to see the programme develop with a new group of emerging writers. The mentor/mentee relationship is essential to an artist’s growth and Jewish Book Week select outstanding mentors to guide talented writers of prose, poetry and non-fiction”.
Mentors for the 2022/23 cohort include Somerset Maugham Award winner Charlotte Mendelson; Your Show author Ashley Hickson-Lovence; Booker nominee Philip Hensher (Fiction); filmmaker and journalist Bidisha; bestselling biographer Anne Sebba (Non-fiction); National Poetry Competition winner Wayne Holloway-Smith; King’s College Professor of Poetry Ruth Padel; former Faber New Poet Jack Underwood;and novelist and playwright Clare Pollard (Poetry). In addition to the mentorship and bursaries, the 10 successful emerging writers will receive seminars and peer-support.
Bidisha, author of books including The Future of Serious Art and Asylum & Exile, said: “I’m so looking forward to being a mentor because I’m on the hunt for bold, clear and brilliant new projects, new voices, new ways of exploring the world and expressing ideas. I can offer close attention, a keen first look, a second pair of eyes and a series of close readings and long notes – all while the selected writers themselves work, think and edit at their own pace. I know that the talent is out there, along with the dedication and commitment needed to make a good idea into a great piece of writing. I can’t wait to get started.”
