A wonderful opportunity for writers – read on!

I have recently returned from a three-month writers’ residency in the UK, thanks to Professor Di Yerbury, patron of the Society of Women Writers NSW who so generously offered her flat in Barnstaple, North Devon to members of the SWW NSW. And I am delighted to learn that this same opportunity is to be offered once more for the lucky recipient to take up in the summer months of 2016.  Living in Australia, and so far away from anything, it is extremely difficult for writers of fiction or non-fiction based in Britain or Europe to do the research needed, so to have quiet writing time in the heart of England is the most wonderful gift. Speaking personally, I managed to fulfil my dream of writing a first draft of the sequel to my novel I, Morgana, while I was there. The Once and Future Camelot is a continuation of the story of one of the most maligned women in Arthurian legend while posing the question: can the ‘once and future king’ return again to save Britain in her hour of need? My novel concerns the mysterious poet Marie de France (daughter of Morgana) and the present day Morgan who must both overcome personal difficulties in order to understand Morgana’s legacy – but can they act on it in time to save our world? I spent a month before taking up the residency travelling through France to do some much-needed research, plus a week in London, after which I came to Barnstaple hoping that everything would come together and that a novel would result.  Writing it was one of the most intensive, and satisfying times of my life.  And this opportunity is again open to writers, but NB you MUST be a member of the NSW branch of the SWW to be eligible, and you have until December to join.  Briefly, the residency covers accommodation only. Also, you must be over 55 at the time of taking it up and you also need to provide a CV, a summary of your proposed mss, plus a sample of previously published work with your application. The application must be in by March 6th 2016 and the announcement will be made at the meeting of the SWW NSW on 13th April. You’ll find full details of membership on the website: www.womenwritersnsw.org, and criteria + full details for the Di Yerbury SWW NSW Residency will be posted on the website shortly. (Photos taken in Barnstaple include interior/exterior of the fabulous Panniers Market (top) and the river (below) where I used to walk every day making notes and dreaming , plus gardens in the town square + clock, and a sign marking one of the many fascinating sites to be found on an ‘historic walking tour’ of the town.