Next Journalism:
creative writing workshops

Deadline: 3 May 2011

The Itupale Online Journal of African Studies will be hosting an Academic Workshop on Saturday 7th May 2011. The theme for the Workshop relates to Volume IV of the Journal, which will be published in 2012.

The Workshop features a Panel Discussion in the morning, and Small Group Discussions in the afternoon. More details on each session can be found below. Lunch will also be provided.

Please Note: Limited Places

There are only 25 places available on a first-come-first-served basis, and the terms of Itupale's funding means that priority must be given to African students studying in the UK. However, we also have a small number of places available for any UK-based post-graduate students working in an area related to African Studies.

The deadline for registration is Tuesday 3rd May 2011. To register, please e-mail Dr Sacha DeVelle: itupale@cambridgetoafrica.org

Itupale is able to cover reasonable travel expenses for African students living outside of Cambridgeshire.

If you have any enquiries, then please feel free to get in touch with our Administration Officer, Sundeep Athwal: sundeep@cambridgetoafrica.org

Itupale Academic Writing Workshop
'The Millennium Development Goals:
Directions and Results in Sub-Saharan Africa'
Saturday 7th May 2011
11.00am - 4.00pm
The Pavilion, Hughes Hall,
University of Cambridge

Contact Information:

For inquiries: sundeep@cambridgetoafrica.org

For submissions: register by emailing itupale@cambridgetoafrica.org

Website: http://www.cambridgetoafrica.org/

Deadline: 11 May 2011

The workshop is a component of Fidelity’s corporate Social Responsibility, through which the bank continues to push for a better society. Participants are expected to read and discuss a wide range of fiction as well as complete short writing exercises. Entries open on Monday 18 April 2011 to Wednesday 11 May 2011. Participation in the workshop is limited to those who apply and are accepted. A public symposium featuring readings and panel discussions will be held on the last day of the workshop.

To apply, send an e-mail to: Creative.writing@fidelitybankplc.com. Your e-mail should bear the title – “Workshop Application”.

The body of the e-mail should contain the following:
1. Your name
2. Your address
3. A few sentences about yourself (not more than 50 words)
4. A writing sample of between 200 – 1000 words

Please note that the workshop is purely meant for fiction writers. Any entry that does not fall into this category will be automatically rejected. Acceptance will be based on quality of the entry. The entry must be pasted or written in the body of the e-mail. Do NOT send any attachments. Applications with attachments will be automatically disqualified. If accepted, you will be notified by June 10, 2011.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: Creative.writing@fidelitybankplc.com

For submissions: Creative.writing@fidelitybankplc.com

Website: http://www.fidelitybankplc.com/

Dates: 4 - 8 July 2011, 18 - 22, July 2011

Presented by Media Monitoring Africa in conjunction with Wits Journalism, this course aims to challenge the common representation of children and their issues in and by the media, as well as open up new possibilities for alternative representations. It will allow participants to develop practical strategies in the development of a human rights centred approach to reporting on children and will allow participants to integrate the learnings and experience of other journalists and experts into the way in which they report children's stories. The course runs full time over two weeks.

Course on Reporting on Children in the Media

Reporting on Children presents many legal and ethical challenges. The Media constantly has to navigate their way through the murky ethical waters and fight against a general lack of knowledge and sensitivity when reporting on children.

Certificate Course – Reporting on Children in the Media – Block Release (10 days)

4th of July – 8th July and 18th of July – 22 July 2011.

The representation of children by the media is often in violation of the very children’s rights that they vow to protect. This Module aims to challenge the common representation of children and their issues in and by the media, as well as opens up new possibilities for alternative representation of children. In exploring how children are represented, this Module ensures that new skills are acquired and demonstrates how children’s rights can be respected in the media whilst ensuring journalism of the highest quality.

The purpose of this Module is to:

~ give participants confidence and skills when reporting on children;

~empower participants with knowledge and skills in children’s rights, ethics and the law surrounding children;

~ help participants to identify and follow best practice when reporting on children;

~build the expertise of participants by providing them with both the theory and practical input in this area;

~help participants with their writing skills;

~ contribute to the creation of an ethical media and human-rights centred approach to children’s reporting;

~ advance the creation of a media that not only values but reflects the diversity of opinions, including the opinions of children.

Outcomes: this module will equip participants to:

~access experts (in a wide field) as well as children to ensure a diverse and informed perspective on issues that affect children;

~integrate the learnings and experience of other journalists and experts into the way in which participants report children’s stories;

~identify and unpack the effect that poor media coverage of children can have on children and their issues;

~develop practical strategies when reporting on children and ensure a human rights centred approach to their reporting;

~present events in terms of issues and human interest to engage journalists;

~write clearly and effectively on children’s issues.

Assessment:

The Certificated Course is a Block Release Course and presented as a series of Seminars. Participants are required to attend 100% of Seminars and contribute to class discussions. Accreditation requirements are:

1) To submit a Mini-Assignment of not more than 1500 words (20% of Mark)

2) To submit a practical Portfolio of Work (already in existence or created for the Course) (40% of Mark), which will be externally moderated.

3) Submit a Final Written Assignment of not more than 5000 words (40% of Mark), which will be externally moderated.

Contact Information:

For inquiries: Wits Journalism on tel: +27 11 717 4028 or by email on journinfo@wits.ac.za

Website: http://www.journalism.co.za/ or here

Deadline: 1 June 2011

The Africa Centre, together with artist in residency programmes in Australia, Brazil, Ethiopia, Finland, Netherlands, Turkey and the United States of America have partnered to launch a new Artist in Residency Programme (AIR). The programme has been conceived to support artists from Africa who are provocative, innovative, relevant and highly engaged with both social issues and their art forms.

AIR manifests through existing artist-in-residency partnerships around the world that are prepared to select an artist from a short list provided by the Africa Centre, created from a Continental search, for one of their 2011 or 2012 residencies. The costs of the residency and roundtrip airfare are included in each residency award made as part of this programme.

Each of the seven residencies on offer have different durations, structures and requirements. We are taking applications between 1 April and 1 June 2011. If you have any queries please email robinj@africacentre.net

Please ensure that the Residency you are applying for caters for your means of artistic expression.

• Bundanon Trust – Australia: Professional Artists from all disciplines.
• Sacatar – Brazil: Artists from all disciplines, particularly interested in choreographers and performers.
• Zoma Contemporary Art Centre – Ethiopia: The Architectural Residency: mid-career and established artists with building experience. The other residencies cater for artists across all disciplines and level of experience.
• KulttuuriKauppila – Finland: Professional visual artists focused on environmental issues or sculptors focused on anything.
• Thamgidi Foundation – Netherlands: Artists from all artistic disciplines will be considered.
• Caravansarai – Turkey: Performing Arts, Music, Literature, New Media and Film Making, other disciplines will also be considered.
• 18th Street – United States of America: Visual and Performing Artists - must have at least 5 years of exhibition and/or professional experience (no students).

1. Online Application Form: Click here to apply online
2. E-mail Application: If you would rather use e-mail, download the application form and then send your application directly to our project manager Robin at robinj@africacentre.net. Please do not send attachments larger than 5MB. Please be sure to add your full name and contact details in the email message field.

If your attachment is larger than 5MB, you can upload it using www.yousendit.com. This is a free service that will allow you to upload your file directly to us. To upload a file, fill in the fields under the green text, "Send a File". Please be sure to add your full name and contact details in the YouSendIt message field. The email address for delivery is: robinj@africacentre.net
3. Submitting via Post: If you cannot use any of the above methods, you are always welcome to post your application directly to us. Click here to download the application form. Be sure to include an e-mail address and phone number where we can contact you.

Postal Address:

THE PROJECT MANAGER:ARTIST IN RESIDENCY PROGRAMME
C/O THE AFRICA CENTRE, 1ST FLOOR, 44 LONG STREET
CAPE TOWN, 8000, SOUTH AFRICA

AIR APPLICATION DEADLINE: 1 June 2011

Shortlist and Award Process

The Africa Centre will select three candidates for each of the 7 residency awards on offer from the applications received. These shortlisted candidates will be forwarded to our various Residency Partners; it is from these lists that they will select the 7 artists to be granted the Artist in Residency Awards.

The Africa Centre will announce the recipients of the Artist in Residency programme on the 1 July 2011. If you have any questions, please direct them to Robin Jutzen at the email address above or on +27 21 422 0468.

Download application form >>

More information about the participating residency programmes here.

Deadline: 16 May 2011

DIASPORA DIALOGUES ISSUES 2011 OPEN CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Looking for emerging writers of short stories, poetry and creative nonfiction in the GTA.

Diaspora Dialogues invites submissions to its annual publishing/mentoring program from emerging GTA writers of short stories or creative non-fiction less than 3,000 words in length; or up to 5 poems, with each poem being no more than 75 lines. (See below for definition of “emerging.”) Applicants are welcome to enter more than one category, but no more than one submission per category, please. (Please note: Our mentoring program for emerging playwrights will be changing this year. As a result, a separate call for plays will be released shortly.)

Diaspora Dialogues is committed to supporting a literature of Toronto that is as diverse as the city itself. Writers are encouraged to keep this mandate in mind, but addressing this theme directly is not essential in the submission. The setting of the works must be, at least in part, the greater Toronto region. First and second-generation immigrants and First Nations writers are especially welcome.

Through an adjudicated process, approximately 15 writers will be chosen and each assigned (free of charge) to an established writer in a mentoring capacity to gain feedback on their work. The writers will each be given an opportunity to read their work in Diaspora Dialogues’ popular multi-disciplinary performance series, which takes place across the city throughout the year in partnership with venues like Luminato, The Word on the Street, Nuit Blanche, Harbourfront, Toronto Public Library and others.

Writers may choose to submit the finished pieces to be considered for publication in TOK: Writing the New Toronto, the annual Diaspora Dialogues anthology available in bookstores across the country.

Diaspora Dialogues supports the creation and presentation of new stories, poetry and drama that reflect the complexity of the city through the eyes of its richly diverse writers. Please see www.diasporadialogues.com for further details about us.

Submission Guidelines

· The greater Toronto region must exist in each story or poem in some way. This can mean using the city as a physical setting. It can mean exploring what the city means to you in a psychological or metaphorical way. It can mean writing about a person, issue or geographic location that is Toronto-specific. The definition is broad, but Toronto must be somehow present in the work.
· The work must be original and not previously published or produced.
· Submissions must be in English.
· Fiction or creative nonfiction must be 3,000 words or less.
· Up to 5 poems may be submitted, with each poem being no more than 75 lines.
· Only one submission per category, but you may submit to more than one category. (Example: You cannot submit two short stories, but you can submit a short story and a poem.) Play submissions are considered separately; please contact us to receive the specific submission guidelines.
· Submissions must include a short biography in paragraph form.
· The writing sample must be free of any identifying marks (no name or contact information) as applications are read blind by the jury. Please do not staple or bind in any way as the submissions will be photocopied. A completed submission form must be included.
· Submissions will not be accepted electronically or by fax.
· If you would like your submission returned, please include a self-addressed envelope with correct postage.
· Commentary/feedback is not available on submissions.

Eligibility

· Writers must not have been previously published in a full-length manuscript of their own (although appearances in magazines and/or anthologies are acceptable).
· You must not have participated in the Diaspora Dialogues mentorship program within the last 2 years.
· You must be living in the greater Toronto region, which includes York, Halton, Peel and Durham.

We welcome your submission! Deadline is May 16, 2011. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline. Decisions will be made in June 2011.

Please mail or drop off submissions to:

Diaspora Dialogues
170 Bloor Street West, Suite 804
Toronto, ON
M5S 1T9

Questions? Contact Natalie Kertes at natalie@diasporadialogues.com or 416-944-1101, ext 250.

Deadline: 25 March 2011

Given its commitment to deepening and strengthening electoral processes and institutions in Nigeria through youth participation in the election process of the forthcoming April 2011 general elections, African Women and Youth Organization in partnership with Commonwealth Monitoring Team (CMT) proudly announce the call for application for its Y-Count Citizenship Reporting workshop for youth across Nigeria.

ABOUT Y-COUNT

Y-Count Campaign is a 60 days countdown to Nigeria’s April 2011 general Elections and the next 100 days after Elections. Our objective is to capture the voices and views of Nigeria’s vibrant and enormous youth population. Y-Count Campaign’s Facebook account was launched on January 28th 2011 and currently has over 1600 members, just in less than two months.

ABOUT CITIZENSHIP REPORTING WORKSHOP

In Nigeria, 70% of the estimated 150 million people are under 35 years old (2006 Census). Of the over 67 million registered voters for the forthcoming April 2011 general election, 65% are youth (INEC Provisional Voters Register). This infers that youth are critical stakeholders in the forthcoming election. It is no longer news that Nigeria’s youth are the most significant voting bloc!

Citizenship Report workshop is an integral part of the Y-count social platform. It is an avenue for young people in different parts of the country to be reporters in their locality. The idea is that people without professional journalism training can use the tools of modern technology tools (Mobile phones, I-pods, I-pads etc) to give reports and happenings around them. Participants are to benefit from practical sessions on Webcasting, Principles of Patriotism, Basic Writing Skills etc.

OBJECTIVES

* Educate and equip young people on how to independently report happenings around them during the elections and the next 100 days after the election.
* Expose young people to critical skills, tools and support that they will require to become change agents in the forthcoming polls
* To alert the youth to the important role that they play in promoting free and fair election

CRITERIA

To be eligible, participants must:

* Be between the ages of 18-35 and must be resident in any of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
* Have demonstrated commitment to self development and sustainable development of democratic principles and values in Nigeria
* Be fluent in spoken and written English
* In addition, applicants should have an internet-ready laptop as internet facility would be provided for practical sessions.

All individuals interested in applying for this training are to provide a resume. Applications (A brief explanation of yourself and why you want to attend the training) should be sent to ibinabo.igani@awyo.org or salami.adewale@awyo.org

DEADLINE: The deadline for application is Friday March 25th, 2011. Only the first thirty (30) applicants will be sent letter of invitation which they are to come along with on the day of the training.

If you have questions or concerns about the Citizenship Reporting workshop, please contact Ibisimewari Igani via phone on 0816 322 1973 or via e-mail: ibinabo.igani@awyo.org or Wale Salami via phone on 08035796509 or via e-mail: salami.adewale@awyo.org

Date: 15 March 2011

A 6-week writing workshop to get you writing, exploring and expressing and seeing your world with new eyes. 90 minutes every Tuesday from 6pm to 7.30pm for 6 weeks at 6 SPin Street, Cape Town, starting March 15.

Classes are very small creating a safe space to express your true self. The course material is geared to help you see your world - and your life - as an extraordinary place - to see it more creatively, with fresh eyes - and then to transfer this new information into the written word.

It will include playing with, amongst others:

* poetry, free prose, blogging

* writing for self and writing for a reader,

* observation skills (all writers should know how to engage with people/environment so as to be able to write about different characters),

* using the senses to engage with the page,

* getting into character

* accessing the magical child

* memoir/self writing.

Workshop will include exercises in the class that will, amongst others, unlock hidden aspects within ourselves and allow us to access that creatively by writing. It will also include "seeing and writing" outside the class environment in which you will engage with your environment and people with 'new' eyes.

The course is R950 for the 6 weeks. Email or phone me for more details. Bookings close shortly.

Vivian Warby
Cell: 0829207783
wordwarrior@mweb.co.za
www.wordwarrior.co.za

Deadline: 18 April 2011

The Voices of Our Nations Arts Foundation at the University of California-Berkeley invites applications from unpublished as well as published writers-of-color--anyone dreaming of writing as a serious pursuit.

The Voices Workshop is a special gathering of writers who spend 1 week working with authors s of color. This workshop honors the literary traditions of heritage and culture and promotes the styles, voices, forms and concerns of writers-of-color and their connections to the literary world. All workshops are intimate gatherings of writers who take their writing seriously and are looking for an experience that will nurture them as writers; heighten their awareness of writing as a political, social and literary tool; and provide a community that supports each writer as they explore issues that require a profound sense of trust and professionalism.

The Workshops for 2011

This year, we offer workshops for everyone in: Poetry, Fiction Writing, Memoir, and Political Content in Story, Memoir and Poetry

For workshop descriptions, go here

Workshops for Alums in: Fiction, The Poetry Collection, Memoir.

We also offer two Residencies which are directed to writers who are interested in a one-on-one mentorship and concentrated writing time. The week is spent with the master writer who guides them through rewrites and toward a greater awareness of the writing process and their identities as writers.

When applying, specify the workshops you'd like to attend in order of preference. The workshops are limited to ten writers chosen on the quality of their work, their commitment to and their enthusiasm for the direction of the Voices mission.

All participants are encouraged to consider staying on campus in the housing facilities to deepen their experience of exchange.

Deadline: April 18, 2011

To be considered for admission to the Voices Writing Workshops please submit the following:

Poetry: 5 - 10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages)

Fiction Writing: up to 20 pages of short fiction

Memoir: up to 20 pages of a non-fiction narrative

Residency: up to 15 pages of a non-fiction, novel, short fiction or 5-10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages)

Political Content : up to 15 pages of any genre

Building a Poetry Collection: Up to 30 pages of poetry

All applicants should email their application manuscript (as an attachment) to apply apply@voicesatvona.org with your name and the workshop name in the title of the document. (please use .doc or .pdf) and include a page number as the footer.

For example: Abinaderalummemoir.doc

Completed Application: Please provide contact information, history, experience, vital statistics and personal essay in response to the questions, including information on scholarships

The application deadline is April 18, 2011--only completed applications are eligible for review--please contact us regarding late applications.
When you are accepted

Participants are notified of their acceptance by May 6 and have ten days to confirm their attendance.

Send a Deposit of $100.00 within ten days of notification. (Accepted participants will receive an invoice via email.)

Manuscripts to be used in the workshop will be uploaded to the virtual classroom site by May 23, 2011.

All fees are due by May 31, 2011.

Indicate if you will be in residence in campus housing, on application, so we may reserve a spot for you.

Scholarship recipients will be notified of their award amount and balance due. All fees are due by May 31, 2011 and will be made through PayPal.

Date: 25 March 2011

Aspiring Filmmaker Series: Scriptwriting and Directing Masterclass

BLUES & HILLS Consultancy and Africa Film Academy call for interested aspiring filmmakers to register for the Scriptwriting and Directing Masterclass Workshop, to be facilitated by Indian filmmaker and cinematographer, Naresh Sharma on 25 March, 2011 at Niger Delta Wetland Centre, Ekike, Yenogoa, in Bayelsa State. He will be joined by Nigerian filmmaker, Bond Emeruwa and Indian creative writing teacher, Jose Varghese.

Mr Sharma is the Director of Centre for Research in Art of Film & TV (CRAFT), Delhi. After graduating from Film and Television Institute of India, (FTII, Pune ) in December of 1993, he acquired on-floor expertise while working with ace cinematographers like Ashok Mehta and Vikas Shaivaraman.

His independent works include advert films, promos, corporate and documentaries. He has worked with Grey Worldwide, Triton advertising, Bharat Bala Prods, Shot in the dark, Mise-en-scene, Squirkle, Percept Advertising, Universal Music, T-Series, Channel [ v ] ,B4U and others. He shot the music video of Nishani for popular star, Jassi. In 2001, he shot a Hindi feature length fiction directed by Senior FTII 1974 graduate batch on 35mm. In 2005, he shot 2nd feature length fiction film on 35mm Cinemascope format Sonam about the Monapa
community of Arunachal Pradesh. He is widely travelled and has facilitated workshops across the world.

For registration and further enquiries, contact: bluesandhills@gmail.com

Deadline: 27 April 2011

The fifth edition of the creative writing workshop organized by Farafina Trust, is scheduled to hold between June 23 to July 2 2011 in Lagos. Award-winning writer and Farafina author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will be teaching alongside Kenyan writer, Binyavanga Wainaina. The workshop, sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc, will take the form of a class. Participants will learn a lot as they will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The workshop aims at improving the craft of Nigerian writers and encouraging published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted.

To apply, send an e-mail to Udonandu2010@gmail.com. Your e-mail subject should read ‘Workshop Application.’ The body of the e-mail should contain the following:

1. Your Name

2. Your address

3. A few sentences about yourself

4. A writing sample of between 200 and 800 words. The sample must be either fiction or non-fiction.

All material must be pasted or written in the body of the e-mail. Please Do NOT include any attachments in your e-mail. Applications with attachments will be automatically disqualified. Deadline for submissions is April 27 2011. Successful applicants will be notified by June 15 2011. Accommodation in Lagos will be provided for all accepted applicants who are able to attend for the ten-day duration of the workshop. A literary evening of readings, open to the public, will be held at the end of the workshop on July 2, 2011.

Deadline: 5 March 2011

BETWEEN THE LINES WRITING CONTEST

What is the BTL writing contest?

Between the Lines invites young aspiring writers from Arabic speaking countries in the Middle East and North Africa between the ages of 16-19 to the University of Iowa to spend two weeks honing their creative writing skills and interacting with American students of the same age range. The international students will be accompanied by adult chaperones. The summer session of Between the Lines (BTL) will take place July 10-25, 2011. During the two-week BTL program, students will take classes in English with their American counterparts. They will also participate in writing workshop (in Arabic) with BTL faculty. Chaperones will enroll in a week-long Iowa Summer Writing Festival course (in English) that will also include American teachers.

Who can apply?

Students:

 Must be between the ages of 16 and 19 as of July 10, 2011.
 Must be Proficient in Arabic and English (reading, writing, and speaking).

The ideal candidates should be able to:

 Demonstrate an interest in and ability to write creatively (prose and/or poetry in both Arabic and English)
 Fully engage their imaginations in a variety of class settings
 Confidently work alongside other BTL students in Arabic-language classes as well as American students in English-language classes Each applicant must provide the following:  7-8 pages of prose and/or poetry written in Arabic  7-8 pages of prose and/or poetry written in English  A one-paragraph personal statement (in English) describing why they are interested in participating in BTL.  Copies of passport information pages valid at least 6 months after the program ends.

Chaperones:

 Must be between the ages of 25 and 40 as of July 10, 2011
 Must be Proficient in Arabic and English (reading, writing, and speaking)
 Must be Reliable, mature, and willing and able to take on the dual responsibilities of their own program and the overall duties of overseeing the students.

The ideal candidate should be:

 A teacher who is interested in creative writing and has not had a previous exposure to the U.S.
 Willing to assist BTL faculty and IWP staff with projects related to promoting creative writing and the teaching of creative writing in the Middle East
 Able to serve as Arabic-speaking liaison between the BTL students and English-speaking students and staff at the University of Iowa
 Able to fully participate in a formal English language program on creative writing teaching methods
 Able to Demonstrate experience working with young people, particularly teens. Each applicant must provide the following:
 A resume/CV (in English)  A brief statement of purpose describing his/her goals for the program and how his/her participation can benefit the program (in English).  Copies of passport information pages valid at least 6 months after the program ends (if available).

How do I apply?

 Applications to be submitted electronically at amarouayechei@state.gov
 Deadline to submit applications is March 5th, 2011. Due to large number of applicants, we will only reply to those short-listed for first stage interviews.

Finalists:

 Will be invited for an interview at the embassy
 Must bring a

Date: 13 April 2011

ANSA KZN: VISUAL ARTS INDUSTRY/PROFESSIONAL PRACTISE WORKSHOPS 2011

Critical Writing Workshop

Due to the lack of Art writers in Durban, VANSA presents A “Critical Writers Workshop”. The aim is to establish and identify writers that will critically review exhibitions and report back on them. We are aiming at filling the void of critical writing in KZN.

o Critical writing on exhibitions
o Artist Statements
o How to compile an Exhibition proposal
o Cataloguing

Speaker: Peter Machen, Illa Thompson, Art Curator

Time: 14:00 - 16:00

Venue: artSPACE Durban, 3 Miller Road (off Umgeni Road)

RSVP/info:

Nomcebo Sithole on e: kznadmin@vansa.co.za
p: 031 312 0793 or 083 399 2816

Dates: 24 February - 26 May 2011

Course starts in Feb 2011

The magic of stories, heard first in childhood or adulthood, stays forever. Lines, scenes, characters remain as guests in the mind and we can recall them at will in old age, in despair, in joy, in love or in grief.

This course will help you to:

• Write stories with characters, menacing or lovable.
• Suspense-filled plots or simply told tales.
• Develop your narrative voice.
• Meet with editors and publishers.
• Submit stories ready for publication.

Time: 9am to 1pm

Venue: Muizenberg – False Bay Rendezvous

R280 per workshop (R1000 if booked and paid in advance)

Chan-Sam has published stories in anthologies in the UK and South Africa. Mr. Mohani is her preview solo collection. She has delivered workshops, readings and performances in South Africa, UK, USA, Egypt, Tanzania, Suriname and the Netherlands.

Contact: tanya.chansam@gmail.com or tel: 021 785 1702

Deadline: 7 March 2011

Start date: 06 Jun 2011
End date: 08 Jun 2011
Location: London
Language: English
Partners: Gerda Henkel Stiftung and Stanley Foundation

Thomson Reuters Foundation invites journalists to apply to take part in a major three-day seminar in London from June 6-8 2011. "Reporting on Terrorism and Global Security" will be held at the Thomson Reuters headquarters and will bring together security experts, authoritative commentators and journalists for a series of lively presentations and debates. The seminar will look critically at the role of the media and how journalists can avoid being exploited by terrorists to help them achieve their goals. Themes will include: fragile states; al Qaeda and its offshoots; the abuse of Islam to justify terrorism; the way forward in Afghanistan and Pakistan; cybersecurity and espionage; reporting in the age of social media and WikiLeaks; and anticipating security challenges of the future. Panels will be complemented by a practical workshop exercise and a newsmaker session.

Eligibility

Journalists from developed and developing countries, working in print, broadcasting or online, may apply irrespective of whether they are highly experienced or have reported for only a few years. They do not need to be specialists on terrorism. But the organisers are looking for those who have a proven interest and track record in reporting on security issues and conflict and who are willing not just to listen but also to put forward their own ideas and to enter debate. Applicants must be fluent in English as the event will not have translation facilities.

Funding

Applicants from developing countries may be eligible for funding support to cover their travel and attendance costs.

Submissions

* A biography of up to 250 words outlining your career.
* A paragraph or two on what you hope to gain from this seminar and what you think you can contribute to it. Include how much experience you have had in covering terrorism and security issues and the percentage of time you currently spend covering these themes.
* Comment on the following statement:"The journalist is the terrorist's best friend. Not only do the media grossly exaggerate the threat from terrorism, they also help terrorists achieve their goals by providing them with maximum publicity". (maximum number of words 500)
* Two recent examples of your published work, preferably relevant to the course for which you are applying, with a brief summary in English (if necessary). TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.

Deadline: 21 February 2011

Start date: 21 Mar 2011
End date: 25 Mar 2011
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Language: English
Partners: Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)

This course is designed to help journalists in Southern Africa to strengthen their reporting on financial and economic topics by developing their understanding and skills. “Learning by doing” is a core part of the programme, which includes practical exercises and live reporting. The course also focuses on improving coverage of national and international financial issues through detailed briefings, presentations by guest speakers and, where appropriate, a reporting visit to a financial institution. In-depth discussions will explore ways of tackling subjects such as resource exploitation, economic governance and capital flight from developing countries.

Eligibility

For this Thomson Reuters Foundation programme applicants must be business journalists in Southern Africa and currently working as a journalists or regular contributors to print, broadcast or online media organisations. They must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism in their country must have at least two years’ professional experience and have a good level in spoken and written English.

Funding

Thomson Reuters Foundation offers bursaries for journalists from the developing world/countries in political transition working for organisations with no resources for training. Bursaries would include economy class travel expenses, transfers and accommodation. This arrangement is subject to variation.

Submissions

* A biography of up to 250 words outlining your career.
* A submission of 250-400 words on "an aspect of global finance which has a direct impact on your national economy and which you believe is under-reported or insufficiently understood."
* Two recent examples of your published work, preferably relevant to the course for which you are applying, with a brief summary in English (if necessary). TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.

Apply here.

Date: 19 February 2011

LSE Space for Thought Literary Festival creative writing workshop

Time: 12-1pm
Venue: Alumni Theatre, New Academic Building
Speaker: Lauri Kubuitsile

Lauri Kubuitsile will speak about the publishing climate in Southern Africa (in particular Botswana and South Africa) and how it’s different from the UK. She’ll also talk about writing across genres including television writing, writing for children, writing short stories and writing for adults.

Lauri Kubuitsile is a full time writer in Botswana. She has thirteen published books including those for children, young adults and adults, and her short stories have appeared in publications on four continents. She has written two television series for Botswana Television: Morwalela and Re Bina Mmogo II . Her writing prizes include the Golden Baobab Literary Prize (USA) -the junior category in 2009 and the senior category in 2010, the BTA/AngloPlatinum Short Story Contest (South Africa- 2007) and the Botswana Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Culture’s Orange Botswerere Prize for Creative Writing (2007). She was chosen as a writer in residence in El Gouna Egypt for the month of May 2010. She writes a weekly column called It’s All Write about books and writing in the Botswana national newspaper The Voice and she blogs at Thoughts from Botswana.

Registration

This event is free and open to all, but pre-registration is required. Pre-registration will be possible via this webpage from Monday 31 January.

From time to time there are changes to event details so we strongly recommend that if you plan to attend this event you check back on this listing on the day of the event.

CPD

This event has been certified for CPD purposes by the Continuing Professional Development Certification Service. It is the responsibility of delegates to register their details with a LSE event steward at the event in order to obtain a CPD certificate of attendance. If a delegate fails to register their details at the event, it will not prove possible to issue a certificate. Certificates of attendance will be emailed out within 10 working days of the event.

If you are planning to attend this event and would like details on how to get here and what time to arrive, please refer to Coming to an event at LSE

Deadline: 15 March 2011
Contact: d.kerr@bham.ac.uk

Call for Applications: ASAUK Writing Workshop for African Scholars

26-28 April 2011 in Nigeria

The African Studies Association of the UK (ASAUK) is currently organising a writing workshop in Nigeria to assist young scholars to prepare material for publication in international journals. The ASAUK is committed to enhancing academic links between British and African institutions and to increasing representation in British journals of work by scholars based in Africa. Previous ASAUK workshops in the UK and in other parts of Africa have been extremely well received and there has been a strong demand for places. The workshop will bring the editors of three UK-based Africanist journals, namely Africa, Journal of Modern African Studies (JMAS) and Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE) to Nigeria in order to support doctoral and recently post-doctoral students as well as junior staff based in Nigerian universities in submitting articles for publication in international Africanist journals. The participating journals have asked prospective participants of the workshop to submit articles which address the journal themes outlined below. A second aim of the workshop is to bring together Nigerian and UK-based journal
editors to discuss shared interests and problems, and to explore possibilities for future co-operation.

The workshop is planned to take place in Nigeria on 26-28 April 2011, and it will be organised in collaboration with the Osun State University (UNIOSUN) at Osogbo, a peaceful city famous for its artistic community roughly 120 miles northeast of Lagos. The workshop organisers will provide accommodation and food for the duration of the workshop. Applicants may also be eligible for the reimbursement of travel costs.

The African Studies Association of the UK looks forward to hearing from you.

For more information, please see the Applicant details below or contact Mr David Kerr (d.kerr@bham.ac.uk).

Applicant Details

Eligibility: Scholars of all nationalities who have spent the past 3 years at a Nigerian university.

Deadline for receipt of applications: 15 March 2011.

In order to qualify for the workshop, scholars are invited to send in the following documents: A short CV including their name, gender, academic career and position at their current institution. A completed, full-length article (5,500-7,000 words) based on original research. Please indicate clearly whether you are addressing a theme and which journal you are targeting. If you would like to stay for the second part of the workshop, please give information about the journal you wish to represent. If you wish to apply for a reimbursement of travel costs, you must also submit an estimate of expenses (least expensive option, by road only).

Selection criteria: The primary selection criterion is the quality of the article submitted. The organisers also aim to attract scholars from institutions in the different geographical regions/ zones of Nigeria. Senior scholar are invited to apply if they feel this workshop would benefit them, but once the above criteria have been addressed, preference will be given to junior scholars.

Please send applications electronically to Mr David Kerr and Dr Insa Nolte at the University of Birmingham, email addresses: d.kerr@bham.ac.uk and m.i.nolte@bham.ac.uk.

Journal themes

Africa

Africa encourages an interdisciplinary approach, involving humanities, social sciences, and environmental sciences. The journal aims to give increased attention to African production of knowledge, highlighting the work of local African thinkers and writers, emerging social and cultural trends ‘on the ground', and links between local and national levels of society. At the same time, it maintains its commitment to the theoretically informed analysis of the realities of Africa's own cultural categories. For this workshop, we would be particularly interested in papers that focus on some aspect of local intellectual or cultural production – e.g. community newspapers, local histories, posters, pamphlets, oral genres or private video entrepreneurs. For more information, please see http://www.internationalafricaninstitute.org/journal.html

JMAS

The Journal of Modern African Studies places a very high emphasis on original research studies, usually derived from fieldwork in Africa, which at the same time help to illuminate issues currently affecting Africa. We do not publish general overviews, literature reviews, purely theoretical articles, or polemics. We do whatever we can to encourage African authors, and especially scholars based in Africa and carrying out research there. The journal is however internationally refereed, and accepted papers have to meet the standards required.We range broadly across the social sciences, though with a concentration in political science, sociology, gender, economics and international relations, while insisting that papers must be sufficiently non-technical to be read with interest and understood by Africanists working in other disciplines. We do not normally publish papers that fall into the fields of history, linguistics or literary studies, unless these illuminate issues of broader current concern. We do not publish studies on the African diaspora, but would be very interested in research into the impact of the diaspora on developments within Africa. For more information, please see http://assets.cambridge.org/MOA/MOA_ifc.pdf

ROAPE

Since 1974, ROAPE has provided radical analysis of trends, issues and social processes in Africa. It pays particular attention to the political economy of inequality, exploitation and oppression, whether driven by global forces or local ones such as class, race, ethnicity and gender), and to broadly materialist interpretations of change. It sustains a critical analysis of the nature of power and the state in Africa in the context of capitalist globalisation. For more information, please see http://www.roape.org/

Deadline: 1 - 4 December 2010

When: Wednesday, December 01
Repeat: 2 days Until Dec 04 2010

Event description

Lola Kenya Screen Critical Writing and Creative Documentary Film Workshops
Lola Kenya Screen, PCEA Enchoro Emuny Church compound, Ngong Hills town, 22 km from Nairobi CBD

Presented in the framework of the pan African Cinetoile African mobile cinema network, these workshops that bring together 30 children and youth from Nairobi and its environs shall also mark five years since the founding of Lola Kenya Screen as an audiovisual media festival, skill-development mentorship programme and market for children and youth in eastern Africa in October 2005.

Guest speakers include The Creative Writing workshop shall be conducted by Ogova Ondego using ComMattersKenya's 2010 definitive guide on writing, How to Write on 1001 Subjects!

The Creative Writing workshop shall be conducted by Ogova Ondego using ComMattersKenya's 2010 definitive guide on writing, How to Write on 1001 Subjects!

Lola Kenya Screen appeals for support from other well wishers in helping shape the destiny of Kenya, Africa and the world through mentoring children and youth. Any organisation or individual in any part of the world interested in sharing our vision and responsibilities to the present and future generations of young people in any way may contact the Directorate of Lola Kenya Screen through director@lolakenyascreen.org, cell 254 733 703374, 254 722 486531, 254 752 745423 or tel 254 20 315258, 254 20 2213318.

Event Contacts

director@lolakenyascreen.org
0733 703374, 254 722 486531, 254 752 745423
http://www.lolakenyascreen.org/

Deadline: 1 June 2011

Important information:

* The 7th round of Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab will take place next fall, 2011 in Wadi Feynan’s Eco-Lodge in Jordan.
* The online Application Form is available from March 1st till June 1st, 2011.
* For further informations please write to rawi@film.jo.

Eligibility:

* Rawi Screenwriters’ Lab is open for screenwriters, co-writers, or writers /directors.
* Screenwriters working on their first or second narrative feature screenplay can apply.
* Applicants must submit a COMPLETE NARRATIVE FEATURE SCREENPLAY.
* Only Arab screenwriters/ filmmakers are eligible to apply, regardless of their country of residence.

About Rawi Screenwriters' Lab:

In 2005 the Royal Film Commission - Jordan (RFC) launched Rawi (Storyteller), a screenplay development lab, in consultation with the Sundance Institute. Independent Arab screenwriters (Fellows) are offered the chance to develop their work in a uniquely creative environment under the guidance of internationally acclaimed screenwriters from all over the world (Creative Advisors).

At the beginning of autumn each year, fellows and advisors descend into the depths of Jordan's southern desert, to the remote eco-lodge of Wadi Feynan, where for five days, they work intensively on their feature narrative screenplays. Each fellow will have a one-on-one story session with the lab's creative advisors. The advisors’ guidance ranges from improving the fellow's technique as a screenwriter, to life lessons and practical suggestions to be explored in their next draft. Emphasis is placed on each fellow's individual voice and story.

Over the past five years, Rawi supported 45 emerging screenwriters. Completed projects by Rawi’s Alumni include: POMEGRANATES AND MYRRH written and directed by Najwa Najjar, AMREEKA written and directed by Cherien Dabis and SON OF BABYLON written and directed by Mohamed Al Daradji. For more information on other participants check the complete list of Rawi Alumni & Advisors.

For any queries please find our FAQ page. If your questions remain unanswered, write to rawi@film.jo or call The Royal Film Commission - Jordan at: Tel: +962 6 461 3835

Deadline: 14 November 2010

Rev up your writing. Do you want to write a manuscript? Are you interested in finishing that piece you have been working on for a while? Do you want to publish? Abi Adegboye is hosting a writing nuts and bolts workshop via Skype on November 14 @ 6pm U.S. EST. It's about 5 hours behind UK and Nigeria.

Please indicate your interest, topics of concern, and best time. She is open to facilitating several sessions.

Abi Adegboye is a writer, educator, and social entrepreneur who grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria. She travels widely throughout Yorubaland. She has taught classes at every level of the school system and is currently a life and writing coach. She offers programs in writing non/fiction literature and academic texts. Abi is the author of Butterfly, a picture book and Reflections on Nigerian Christianity, a social commentary. Her upcoming books are Wanna B Prez?: 10 Life Strategies from President Barack Obama’s Campaign and Renike comes to America.

Join the Write Africa, Right Africa group here.