"The programme has been a reminder - a wake up call even - that I am not only allowed to have a little bit of time for myself, but that I actually need it."
-MumWrite participant
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The 2020 pilot mums were... Laura Kenwright, Charlotte Forfieh, Sarah Jessen, Ellen Uttley, Rachel Gibbens, Tanya Akrofi, Natalie Persoglio, Hannah Stephenson, Susan Earlam, Bethan Hay, Emma Rowson, Kerry Ryan, Beth Kilkenny, Bethan Butcher, Rachel Neithercut, Natasha Holmes, Michele Beck, Rose Segal, Naomi Marklew, Natalie Smith and Holly Jackson. What is MumWrite? MumWrite is a development programme for mums who write experimental short fiction or poetry, or would like to write more experimentally. The MumWrite is supported by the Arts Council England and donations. The idea behind this initiative is to offer opportunities for writing mums to expand their practices, form a community, receive feedback, and be published in an anthology. WHAT IS EXPERIMENTAL WRITING? Essentially, non-traditional writing. Also new forms, unconventional ideas, funny and dark content, imaginative presentations, concrete and asemic writing, strong imagery, surprising twists, unexpected content and voices, visual work, combinations of genres and forms, and more! WHAT IS INCLUDED? -Workshops relating to poetry and short fiction (four between June and September) -Individual feedback from Nikki and your peers -Development of a piece of work for publication (publication planned for November/December) -Royalties will be shared among all the writers in the anthology (after costs) WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR? -Mums who have some writing experience (you'll need to provide a sample to apply) -Mums with a desire to experiment and are open to development -Mums who can't normally afford or access development opportunities due to time/income/childcare etc -Mums who want to join and contribute to a friendly and supportive writing group -You need to be 18 or over but there is no upper age limit! REMEMBER... -Workshops will take place at times most convenient for mums (evenings/weekends) -If your baby/child interrupts the session, they are welcome to join in or you can come back whenever you're ready. You can breastfeed while we work and we'll try to help you catch up -You don't need to dress up or wash your hair -You don't have to always bring your A-Game - you can work on things in your own time -Prompts and guidance can be sent to you after sessions if you were interrupted or you are not able to attend for whatever reason -Nikki will help you to get your writing ready for publication - there will be a reasonable amount of time given to prepare your work |
Register your interest below The 2020 programme has now closed for applications. You can still register your interest and I will contact you should the programme be able to run again in the future! DONATE
If you would like to give MumWrite £5 to offer additional workshops and publication opportunities, please donate above. MumWrite will credit you in the anthology and on this site! You'll also receive a PDF of the anthology. For £10, as above and a set of writing prompts. For £15 or more, you'll get all the above, and a hardcopy anthology. A huge thank you to the MumWrite supporters so far! Jes Davis, Bethan Hay, Leia Butler, Trini Decombe, Joe Ruddock, Julia Skilton, Fran Mitchell, Sarah Jessen, Steve Dudley, Holly Jackson, Gwen Coltherd, Ingrid Drever, Lizzy Humber, Natasha Holmes, Amy Cameron, Astra Papachristodoulou, Beth Kilkenny, Jenny McClay, Sascha Akhtar, Louise Chadwick, Hannah Searle, Helen Southall, Sara Nesbitt, Mo Schoenfeld, Rachael Charlotte, and some lovely anonymous donors. QUERIES / COLLABORATIONS Please email: mumwrite [at] gmail.com ABOUT NIKKI The programme will be led by Nikki Dudley, a mum of two and Managing Editor of streetcake experimental writing magazine. Nikki also runs the streetcake experimental writing prize for 18-30 year olds, supported by ACE. Nikki has led workshops with a range of writers to develop their work and give them new ideas. Nikki has a poetry collection and chapbook out with Knives Forks and Spoons Press. She also has a published novel with Sparkling Books and has been published extensively online and in print. One of Nikki's poems was featured in the Blackpool Illuminations 2016. She is the winner of the Virginia Prize for Fiction 2020 and her novel is due out in 2021. You can read more about Nikki on the ABOUT page.
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What mums say about MumWrite...
"First MumWrite workshop tonight was amazing, lots of fun experimenting! Thank you to Nikki for great hosting and to all the other mums! Can’t wait for the next one now!" "It's been a judgement free, supportive, safe space and that has been so incredibly meaningful and important to me." |
"...where is my community?! Oh here it is!" "I had a poem of mine published as a result of the confidence I’ve gained from MumWrite to experiment more with my work. I’m submitting pieces I wouldn’t have even written before." |
