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The Jakes Gerwel Foundation, LitNet and Huisgenoot are eagerly awaiting applications from promising emerging writers for the Kommadagga Workshop on the fine art of writing short prose.
The successful candidates will be heading to the 5th annual Kommadagga Workshop, one of the cornerstone mentorship programmes at Paulet House, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s home away from home for writers in KwaNojoli (Somerset East) in the Eastern Cape.
During the three-week residency, the writers will work under the guidance and mentorship of Fourie Botha, former publisher and now full-time poet and literary agent, on various types of short prose and learn how to pitch for different audiences. While the Jakes Gerwel Foundation provides the perfect setting for a story in the Eastern Cape, partners LitNet and Huisgenoot offer publication opportunities and exposure to the aspiring writers.
This year’s workshop, which is scheduled to take place from 14 October to 3 November, provides, in addition, the exceptional chance of sharing Paulet House with the iconic writer Zoë Wicomb. Born in South Africa, she is an emeritus professor at the University of Strathclyde and the author of, among others, You can’t get lost in Cape Town, David’s story, Playing in the light, The one that got away, October and Still life.
Fourie Botha has this to say about the workshop: “The opportunity to focus on your writing in an environment like this for three weeks is a privilege. To share a house and spend time with a writer such as Zoë Wicomb can change a new writer’s life.”
If you want to be a part of this year’s exciting Kommadagga Workshop, apply online at https://jgf.org.za/application-kommadagga/.
Include the following in your application:
- Motivation letter
- Short story (2 000 words)
Requirements and important dates:
- Open to emerging writers only (no previously published writers)
- Application deadline: 26 July 2024
- Announcement of successful candidates: 2 September 2024
- Please confirm your availability for the residency period – 14 October to 3 November 2024 – when applying.
The residency includes:
- National return tickets to Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), if needed
- Transport between the airport and KwaNojoli (Somerset East)
- A comfortable “room with a view” of your own
- Housekeeping services
- Delicious meals prepared by the Foundation’s resident chef
- Unlimited access to the internet
- The guidance of a seasoned mentor and the company of cowriters
- Writing space in your room, in quiet spots inside the house and in the garden
- The opportunity to focus solely on writing and develop your potential.
More about the Jakes Gerwel Foundation:
The Jakes Gerwel Foundation aims to build out the considerable legacy of the late Professor Jakes Gerwel who excelled as educator, liberator, patron of the arts and as businessperson. The name of the Kommadagga Workshop refers to the Eastern Cape “platteland”’ in which Professor Gerwel grew up and the community that the Foundation continues to honour and support in his memory.
Read more about the Jakes Gerwel Foundation at www.jgf.org.za.
See also:
LitNet se Kommadagga-slypskool in samewerking met die Jakes Gerwel Stigting en Huisgenoot
Kommentaar
Is hierdie oop vir ouer skrywers wat aan nie-fiksie werk vir openbare gehore? Oor onderwerpe soos ‘lewe in gesprekke’ en ‘onreg keer ‘n waardige bestaan’.