The John Hewitt Society and Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann are delighted to announce that they have received a second grant from the Irish Government’s Shared Island Civic Society Fund, administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, to deliver ‘Freedom To Write 2,’ a joint creative writing project that will support twenty up and coming writers resident on the island of Ireland to work with experienced writers and other professionals to build on their achievements.
As an emerging writer, this course offers mentoring, networking, new challenges and experiences to build your skills and confidence and enable you to take your literary career to the next level. This year we have a focus on ecology / nature writing, and theories, which you will explore too!
How it works?
This award will run from June 2025 – October 2025.
- four workshops at three different regional venues.
- the group will be evenly split on the first day, into poetry and prose. Once split into your groups, the awardees will stay with this same group throughout the duration of their award.
- attendance at the 2025 ‘John Hewitt International Summer School 2025,’ Marketplace Theatre & Arts Centre Armagh, Northern Ireland, including: B&B for seven nights; free access to all events, and enrolment in three, two-hour advanced creative writing workshops.
- sculpting and editing training
- an event to showcase work to other writers, guests (including Irish PEN and The John Hewitt Society members), and those working in the literary world!
WHO CAN APPLY?
- emerging writers of prose, poetry, fiction, drama (stage, film, TV, radio) who have:
- Had their work published, performed, filmed, staged, broadcast or similar, in any country or language.
- Are committed to developing your writing.
- Are aged 18 years and over.
- Are resident on the island of Ireland.
WHO CANNOT APPLY:
- Those under 18 years of age.
- Those who live outside the island of Ireland.
- Board members of The John Hewitt Society and Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann
Before beginning your application, please note that:
• Applications must be made online. Apply online here….
• A one-page sample of your writing as a word document must be attached to your application, clearly labelled with your name at the top.
• The JHISS is not a writer’s retreat. Participants are required to attend at least 70% of the festival programme throughout the week and your choice of creative writing course.
• Hotel accommodation in Armagh for seven days is provided.
• Per diems are not available, you should be able to cover your own personal expenses. This includes travel to and from the workshops.
• This project is delivered in English.
• No digital media alternatives are available for any part of this project.
• Former JHISS bursary holders are welcome to apply.
Please note:
- No late applications will be considered.
- If you have work, caring or other commitments, please ensure that you alert them to the possibility of requiring cover for the four workshops dates and the JHISS 2025 residency.
KEY DATES
Applications Open – Monday 12th May 2025
Applications Close – Monday 2nd June 2025 at 5pm
You will get a response for your application by Monday 9th June
If your application is successful – please respond to us by Friday 13th of June to confirm acceptance of the FTW25 Award.
WORKSHOPS
Workshop 1 – Saturday 28th June 2025 (Location: Belfast)
Arrival in Armagh – Saturday 26th July
Workshop 2 – Sunday 27th July (Location: Armagh)
The John Hewitt International Summer School (Location: Armagh) – Monday 28th July – Saturday 2nd August
Workshop 3 – Saturday 6th September (Location: Dublin)
Workshop 4 – Saturday 4th October (Location: Dublin) – (AM)
Showcase – Saturday 4th October (Location: Dublin) – (PM)
Workshop 1: Exploring the Natural World through Eco-Writing
Explore the natural world and the ways we can help give nature a voice as part of this eco-writing workshop. Freedom To Write awardees will be led into nature writing by established writers, exploring writing as a form of activism and the preservation of the nature.
Workshop 2: Expression through Influences.
Some writers have used their work to articulate broadly political concerns—gender equality, colonialism and its legacy, economic inequality, environmentalism. Others draw on theory—psychoanalysis, Marxism, the occult—or on scientific theories (e.g. Ian McEwan in Solid Geometry). Others still have used genre to explore a contemporary issue (e.g. science fiction, alternative history). This workshop encourages participants to challenge themselves—to try to articulate a current issue through their writing, or to base a piece of writing on a theory, or to try a genre unfamiliar to them. Prose writers might want to try their hand at poetry, or dramatists, at prose fiction.
The John Hewitt International Summer School 2025
- Venue: The Market Place Theatre and Arts Centre, Armagh, N. Ireland.
The participants will join the other bursary students and will enjoy the week of activities as part of the JHISS.
Awardees will also attend three workshops in the facilitator’s area of expertise.
Workshop 3: Sculpting and Editing
An overview of editing followed by practical editing by participants of (i) work that did not originate in the group (perhaps some lesser known or unpublished texts by established writers); (ii) their own work (with the emphasis on constructive criticism). This will be the final stage before their work is read. They can use an hour of the workshop to sculp what they will read in the showcase.
Workshop 4: Standing Out
A practical class, pre-showcase, on how to present work to publishers and agents, and to an audience with sessions on: how to approach agents and publishers; how to achieve a profile (competitions, creative writing classes including those that offer formal qualifications, blogs, podcasts and other social media); and how to read in public.
Creative Writing Showcase
This will be a performance from the Freedom To Write participants. The performance will be of a piece that was written during the time at the workshops. An audience will be there, who will include members of The John Hewitt Society, Irish PEN/ PEN na hÉireann, writers, publishers, and those who are working in the literary community. Each awardee will be presented with a certificate which is signed by the chairs of the JHS and Irish PEN.
Supported by the Irish Government’s ‘Shared Island Civic Society Fund,’ administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, in association with Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann and The John Hewitt Society (principal funder The Arts Council of Northern Ireland).
Contact:
Any queries, please email us at write@johnhewittsociety.org
or contact the John Hewitt Society on 028 9032 4522 during office hours.
Follow Us On Social Media
Instagram – @freedomtowrite2024