Crossing Borders — new work for a new world

Press release: The British Council and Lancaster University call for applications from writers for Crossing Borders

Crossing Borders is an exciting initiative developed by the British Council and Lancaster University. It is a cross-cultural distance-learning project for South African writers working in the fields of poetry, prose fiction and writing for children. So far, the project has taken flight in Uganda, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Nigeria, Ghana and Cameroon. The South African leg launches in June 2004 and will be co-ordinated by PANSA.

Crossing Borders promotes cross-cultural dialogue between experienced UK-based mentors and writers working in English. This is facilitated through dedicated on-line information technology facilities, which assist in opening up a shared creative and cultural space. Each writer on the programme is linked to a professional UK writer and they communicate through e-mail exchange. The participants receive personal and specific attention from their mentors.

Those chosen to participate will receive a one-day induction to introduce them to each other, clarify programme arrangements and provide information packs and briefing on distance-learning techniques. Writers will submit six assignments over a seven-month period and their mentors will analyse, discuss and suggest strategies for revision with them. Participants will explore a range of new reading, engage critically with aspects of the writing process and develop a portfolio of new writing. The programme ends with a series of “live” writing workshops and public readings attended by participants and a visiting UK writer. A website currently under development will also support the programme.

In order to apply, writers must:

1. be over 18 years of age
   
2. be experienced and have a portfolio of original work: poetry, prose fiction or writing for children
   
3. have an excellent standard of written English
   
4. have a strong commitment to developing their own work and that of other writers, through participating in creative writing networks
   
5. be able to dedicate time to complete six writing assignments by agreed deadlines and fully engage in the mentoring exchanges
   
6. be able to access e-mail facilities on a regular basis.

Applicants must submit:

• a letter of interest (up to two pages) saying which literary form (poetry, prose fiction or writing for children) they wish to write in and why they would benefit from participating in the programme
• a one-page CV with name, age, gender, contact details and details of any publications
• either three poems or three A4 sides of prose writing (story or novel extract).

All of the above must be typed and submitted preferably via e-mail to pansa@artslink.co.za by no later than Friday, May 14th.

Alternatively, submissions may be faxed to 086 673 7002 or posted to PostNet, Suite 114, Private Bag X7, Parkview, Johannesburg 2122. Hand-written submissions, those that exceed the requirements above, or those that arrive after May 14th will not be accepted.

For further information on the project, please contact the PANSA National Office on 011 880 5486 or at pansa@artslink.co.za



LitNet: 29 April 2004

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