The Jakes Gerwel Foundation (JGF), PEN Afrikaans and PEN South Africa welcome submissions for their fifth annual Uninterrupted Time to Write residency, which takes place in Somerset East in the Eastern Cape.
The three-week winter residency takes place from 5 to 25 June, 2023 where six paid-up PEN Afrikaans and PEN South Africa members will be freed up from their daily grind to just spend time writing.
Hosting of the writers takes place at the foundation’s charming 200-year-old Paulet House where lush gardens, ample space to create, the lovely town and natural environment, peace, quiet and the company of fellow writers are all there to inspire and enjoy.
Residents will receive:
- National return tickets to Gqeberha (PE), if needed
- Shuttle transportation between the airport and Somerset East
- A lovely, comfortable room of their own, all with a view
- House-keeping services
- Delicious meals prepared by JGF’s resident chef
- Unlimited access to the internet
- Lots of room to write in their rooms or elsewhere in the house and garden
Should you be interested in being one of six writers-in-residence, please send your application to JGF’s executive director, Theo Kemp at theo@jgf.org.za by 17 March 2023.
Your application in the language in which you write, should include the following:
- Confirmation of membership to PEN Afrikaans or PEN South Africa
- A letter of motivation
- A resume of your writing career which includes a list of published works
- One page outlining your writing project proposal, which you will be working on in residency
- A sample of writing from your project – Fiction or non-fiction manuscript (10 -15 pages); Poetry (6 -10 poems), Plays or film scripts (12 pages of script)
Please note that a letter from a publisher interested in publishing your work will count strongly in your favour. Applicants should demonstrate their intention to use the residency productively, thereby showing their willingness to contribute to the collegiate and respectful atmosphere of Paulet House.
About the partners
The Jakes Gerwel Foundation continues to build on the considerable legacy of the late Professor Jakes Gerwel who excelled as educator, liberator, patron of the arts and businessperson.
The foundation’s aim is to promote and expand South African literature in general; especially Afrikaans which was Professor Gerwel’s field of expertise.
The focus areas are:
- Enriching South African literature
- Assisting with new perspectives and sharing of new experiences
- Supporting emerging writers and new voices
- Encouraging reading and promoting literacy among the youth.”
Read more about Jakes Gerwel Foundation at www.jgf.org.za.
The Foundation is proud of their partnership with PEN Afrikaans and PEN South Africa, two of the more than 140 PEN International centres. Leading global writers’ association PEN International is a human rights organisation that supports freedom of expression, promotes literature and protects writers.
Read more about:
PEN Afrikaans at www.penafrikaans.org.za
PEN South Africa at https://pensouthafrica.co.za
