The Literature Works Wordspace programme aims to nurture writing potential and talent, and develop a supportive and connected sense of community amongst new writers and with the established writers who will support them.
Word Space has a particular focus on supporting writers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, LGBTQ writers, minority ethnic writers and writers with a disability. Literature Works partnered with five organisations to help extend the reach of the programme to such underrepresented voices and Out on the Page was one of these alongside The Bookery, Dialect, Little Toller Books and Speaking Volumes Live Literature Productions.
We nominated two participants to mentor for the Word Space programme. In due course, a 12-strong first cohort of emerging writers have embarked together on a creative journey with their mentors for 12 months to develop their work and achieve set writing goals. It is all taking place online, combining a writing group in Slack with live workshopping sessions, one to one mentoring and monthly industry insight sessions with agents, editors and other sector experts.
Out on the Page congratulates the two writers we nominated for the scheme. Here's what they had to say about being part of it...
Tom Stockley
Tom Stockley is a multidisciplinary artist working across the UK and based in the South West. Informed by a century of counter-culture, collaboration and and queer culture, their practice flirts with the humour, beauty and sadness of every day life by any means necessary. Their integrated practice includes digital design, immersive experiences, film making, theatre and live art, often created collaboratively with other artists and in community settings.
“It means a lot to be supported after the last few years of unpredictability, and to have the encouragement and advice to develop my writing. I’d actually just discovered and started reading Rosie Garland so to be paired with her as a mentor and to talk all things queer and punk has been a joy”
Amy Spencer
Amy Spencer is a Bristol-based writer who also works at Bath Spa University as a postdoctoral researcher where she explores digital forms of creative writing, including augmented and virtual reality. She is fascinated by all the different ways that we can tell stories. She is currently working on a novel about protest, wildness and swimming.
Word Space is a fantastic opportunity for support from fellow and more experienced writers and I’m excited to be a part of it. With help from my mentor and workshops, I plan to finish editing my novel. The experience has been incredibly valuable so far. Thank you to Out on the Page for your support.