Presented by LitNet, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Huisgenoot
Klik hier vir die Afrikaanse kennisgewing.
In 2022 LitNet and the Jakes Gerwel Foundation welcome Huisgenoot as a new project partner of the annual Kommadagga writing workshop established in 2020. The third workshop will be presented from 10 to 31 October 2022 at the Jakes Gerwel Foundation’s Paulet writers’ house in Somerset East. Rachelle Greeff and Niq Mhlongo will be the mentors during the three-week residency, focusing on the development of work by magazine story writers.
Rachelle Greeff is the author of books in various genres and has won sought-after prizes for her short stories. Her award-winning plays Die naaimasjien and Rondomskrik have been performed across the country, and The sewing machine, the English version of Die naaimasjien, was staged at the Edinburgh Festival in 2012.
Rachelle Greeff and Niq Mhlongo (Photos: Bernard Jordaan – above; below – supplied by author)
Niq Mhlongo was described by The New York Times as “one of the most high-spirited and irreverent new voices of South Africa’s post-apartheid literary scene”. He has won several literary awards, and publications from his pen include Dog eat dog, After tears, Affluenza, Soweto, under the apricot tree, Black tax, Paradise in Gaza and Hauntings.
Prospective participants who write stories for magazines and are keen to improve their skills are invited to apply for the residency by Friday, 10 June 2022. Applicants must submit a short story of 2 000 words in Afrikaans or English to Theo Kemp at theo@jgf.org.za, together with the following documents:
– an entry form (available here)
– a short motivational letter explaining how you will benefit from the mentorship
- a concise biography.
Stories may address any topic, but we are particularly on the lookout for tales about people, experiences and places that have not been heard before. Prospective participants must keep in mind that the stories should appeal to a family readership.
A panel of independent readers will adjudicate the texts, after which a shortlist of 10 candidates will be announced in the week of 15 August 2022. Following interviews of shortlisted candidates, a panel representing LitNet, the Jakes Gerwel Foundation and Huisgenoot will announce the five successful writers before the end of August 2022.
The following guidelines should be kept in mind when applications are submitted:
- Only upcoming writers who have never published before may apply.
- Transport (flights and transport to and from the airport), meals and accommodation will be covered by the Jakes Gerwel Foundation. No daily allowances will be paid.
- No poems, essays or opinion pieces will be considered.
- Handwritten texts will not be considered; all entries must be submitted by e-mail.
- Format of entries: double spacing; 12 pt; Times New Roman.
- Successful candidates’ stories will be published by LitNet and/or Huisgenoot, and candidates must be prepared to be interviewed by LitNet and Huisgenoot.
- Candidates must be prepared to sign indemnity agreements provided by the project partners.
The Kommadagga writing workshop actively promotes the development of promising short-prose writers who work in English and Afrikaans, in keeping with the project partners’ ideals to stimulate creative writing, to enrich and expand horizons of South African literature, and to support talented new voices who have a story to tell.
Watch this space for more information. Click here to see who attended the Kommadagga writing workshop in 2020, and who benefited from the project in 2021.