‘The Future is Back’ is open for applications from LGBTQ+ writers

In March 2018, we supported Olumide Popoola with her ACE-funded project, Futures in the Making, a free creative writing workshop series for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) emerging writers wishing to deepen their writing practice, with particular invitation to aspiring LGBTQ+ writers of colour.

Twelve writers were selected to participate in this scheme, which culminated in a live showcase of their work at Gay’s the Word with established poets and writers, Joelle Taylor and Keith Jarrett.

We’re absolutely delighted to announce that Olumide will be running this project again. The Future is back – and we would love as many prose LGBTQ+ writers across London to apply for this scheme.

The selected 10 participants will receive a series of creative writing (prose) workshops led by Olumide Popoola, an invitation to attend two special guest sessions: ‘Writing for Performance’ with Namita Elizabeth Chakrabarty and ‘From Activist Poetry to Eco Poetics’ with Saradha Soobrayen. Participants will also be invited to attend 1 zine making workshop,  access to expert sessions (covering publishing, university and funding), feedback on their work and the opportunity to share their work at a live showcase.

There are also access grants available for writers in need.

Interested? To enter, you must:

• be 18 years or older

• submit a piece of prose between 500 – 1000 words

• submit a short paragraph (max 500 words) why you want to be part of the scheme at this particular time in your writing life

• self-identify as LGBTQ+

• be available to attend the sessions held on Wednesday evenings (see dates below)

You can have some publishing experience but this is a scheme for emerging writers who want to develop and who would like some direction on how to take their writing to the next level.

Please note, that you are not eligible to apply if you:

• • have had a book published (chapbook or full-length)

  • been widely published in anthologies, journals, magazines, or newspapers

  • have had your work broadcast or performed

  • have a publishing contract or agent

  • are currently enrolled in a creative writing programme at a university.

You can apply here: https://spreadtheword.submittable.com/submit

Workshop dates
The workshops will be held at Islington Central Library (2 Fieldway Cres, Highbury East, London N5 1PF) from 6:00-7:45pm.  Please only apply if you are able to attend these workshops.

Wednesday 5 June
Wednesday 12 June
Wednesday 17 July
Wednesday 31 July
Wednesday 4 September
Wednesday 18 September
Wednesday 2 October
Wednesday 16 October
Wednesday 30 October

Terms and Conditions
The Future is Back is a free creative writing workshop series. The workshops cannot be taken on a one-off basis. The scheme will not offer representation, publishing deals or other professional writing opportunities but writers will gain insights into some of those areas. The shortlisting for participants will be done by Spread the Word, one of our partners, and the project leader, writer Olumide Popoola.

If you have any questions or queries about this scheme, please get in touch: [email protected]