As part of celebrations to mark its centenary in 2019, the Forestry Commission has launched a new writing competition to diversify nature writing.
What do forests mean to you? If you’re a writer with a passion for nature, they want to hear from you.
From Wordsworth to J.K Rowling, England’s forests have inspired characters and chronicles that have shaped the nation’s literary history for centuries. Now, for the first time, the Forestry Commission have opened applications for two national writer-in-residence opportunities, which will begin in the spring 2019.
Who can apply: the Commission is particularly interested in hearing from people from underrepresented groups, young writers and emerging writers living in urban locations to offer their perceptions of nature in England. It is also looking to attract people using a diverse range of literary forms, including scriptwriters.
Applications will be judged by an expert panel including Sharmaine Lovegrove, the publisher of Dialogue Books, the UK’s only inclusive imprint, and Jay Armstrong, editor of Elementum, a journal of nature writing and visual arts.
What you get: during the residency, the selected writers will embark on a behind-the-scenes tour of the nation’s forests, spending time with the people who work there, and the wildlife that calls them home. To apply, writers are asked to submit a video or written pitch (maximum 500 words) outlining their vision.
How to apply:To find out more and apply, visit the Forest Commission website
Deadline: 14 January 2019 at midnight
Source: BBC Writersroom