Application Process

We have no formal application process. If you’re interested in attending a Residency, please get in touch with a bit about yourself and some examples of your work (attachments or links to your work online are both fine). Let us know if you’re interested in a particular Residency, and feel free to make suggestions for future events.

There are limited places available on each residency, and we receive many applications. We cannot invite everyone, but we do try to be as open as possible. Unless you say otherwise in your application, we’ll keep your details on file and consider you for future Residencies as they come up.

Some frequently asked questions are covered below, but if you have any further queries don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the point of all this?

What’s the point of living? Each Residency is intended to be, first and foremost, fun. If they can also be inspirational, all the better. You’ll likely learn interesting things about a previously disregarded place, and you will have the opportunity to form connections with fellow writers and develop your practice. Mostly, though, we just want to do something interesting before we die.

Do I need to have published works to take part?

No. As long as you actively write, you’re qualified. We ask you to send links to your published works just to get a better idea of what your work is about and what you might find interesting. You’re welcome to send us unpublished works instead, or simply tell us about your writing practice.

What happens during a Residency?

No two Residencies are exactly the same, but most of them have common elements. You will be free to write and explore on your own for most of the weekend. There will also be a number of workshops and exercises, focused on both exploring your writing and expanding your view of the world. You may share work during workshops if you wish. Everyone present will contribute something to the Residency book.

What is the Residency book?

For each residency creative work contributed by residents will be combined with photographs and other ephemera to create a limited-edition pamphlet about the location in which the Residency took place. Residents will each receive a complimentary copy of this book, and the remaining copies will be sold online to raise funds for future Residencies. You can browse and order existing Residency pamphlets here. They’re a great way to support what we’re doing, and also get an idea of what a Residency might be like.

What will I have to contribute?

We ask all residents if they would like to run a workshop during the Residency. This might take the form of a traditional writing workshop, or might be a presentation on some subject about which they have particular expertise. It might take the form of a walk or a storytelling exercise, or any other activity. Past workshops have covered topics as diverse as sound in fiction, beekeeping, found poetry and Geocaching.

What costs are involved?

There are no application or admin fees for taking part in a Residency. You may, however, need to cover the costs of transport and accommodation, as well as spending money during your Residency.

What Residencies are planned for the future?

We maintain a list of forthcoming Residencies, with a little about each location. If you know of a location that might be a good fit for a Residency, please do get in touch.