LIKHAAN: The University of the Philippines Institute of Creative Writing (UP ICW) announced that it is now accepting applications for the 56th UP National Writers Workshop, which will be held in Los Baños, Laguna on March 12-19, 2017.
Applicants must:
- Be writers in English or Filipino or other Philippine languages (in translation);
- Have attended at least one creative writing workshop (national/regional, including the UP National Writers Workshops), earned a degree in Creative Writing/Malikhaing Pagsulat or related fields, or won at least one national/international literary award;
- Have published at least one book of poetry, fiction, nonfiction, or drama, or have had a full-length play or film produced.
Writers who have been fellows at any of the UP National Writers Workshops are eligible.
This year, the workshop is also open to unpublished authors. However, their works should have already been accepted for publication, or are book-length/graduate-thesis projects already successfully defended. These qualifications may be waived, though only in exceptionally meritorious cases, and with the unanimous agreement of the UP ICW fellows, associates and advisers.
Applicants must submit:
- Digital file (Times New Roman 12 points, MS Word format, double-spaced) of one original unpublished manuscript of no more than 6,000 words (short story, poem, creative nonfiction, play, or novel excerpt) to be discussed during the workshop. “Unpublished” includes online publication and electronic media.
- This must be accompanied by a digital file (same format as above) of an essay on “What I Write, How, and Why?” in relation to the work-in-progress, of no more than 2,500 words. This essay will be the basis for a 20-minute oral presentation that the fellow is expected to do during the workshop.
- PDF or e-book copies of the applicant’s published work, including publication details.
- Completed application form (download link).
Only writers who go through the complete application process will be considered for a fellowship. The chosen fellows must be present for the full duration of the week-long workshop. All fellows are entitled to a stipend, free hotel accommodation, and free transportation from UP Diliman to Los Baños and back.
The deadline for submission is December 15. All applications must be emailed by then to uplikhaan@gmail.com. An acknowledgment message will be sent for all applications received.
The advisers, fellows and associates of the UP ICW will comprise the workshop panel. They are National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario, National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, Gémino H. Abad, Jose Y. Dalisay Jr., Charlson Ong, Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo, J. Neil Garcia, Jun Cruz Reyes, Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera Jr., Luna Sicat Cleto, Isabelita O. Reyes, Eugene Y. Evasco, and Vladimeir B. Gonzales. Vladimeir B. Gonzales will be the director of the 2017 workshop.
Complementing the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Writers Workshop (ALBWW) that focuses on helping up-and-coming writers, the U.P. National Writers Workshop eyes to mentor writers in mid-career.
For inquiries, email uplikhaan@gmail.com.
