Farafina Trust will be holding a creative writing workshop in Lagos, organized by award-winning writer and creative director of Farafina Trust, Chimamanda Adichie, from August 14 to August 24 2012. The workshop is sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc. Guest writers, including the Caine Prize-winning Kenyan writer Binyavanga Wainaina, and Jeffery Allen, will co-teach the workshop alongside Adichie.
The workshop will take the form of a class. Participants will be assigned a wide range of reading exercises, as well as daily writing exercises. The aim of the workshop is to improve the craft of Nigerian writers and to encourage published and unpublished writers by bringing different perspectives to the art of storytelling. Participation is limited only to those who apply and are accepted.
Submission details:
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. The deadline for submissions is June 25 2012. Only those accepted to the workshop will be notified by July 31 2012. 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 August 24, 2012.
To apply, send an e-mail to Udonandu2012@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 can be either fiction or non-fiction.
IMPORTANT UPDATE
The Farafina Trust Creative Writing Workshop is now open to writers from all nationalities. Please do not hesitate to send in your entries.
The deadline for submission has been extended to July 8 2012.
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Hello,
I was wondering, If for this year, I have a piece which I would like to submit that is longer than 800 words, could that be permitted? It’s a story which I feel best represents my writing, but I’m afraid that cutting it would not actually show the piece in its best light. It’s about 1,100 words, would that be okay?
Thanks.
Dear Farafina,
I just want to say that I love all your books and your authors. I think you are an amazing publisher, and I really want to attend this lecture, to help improve my writing skills because at school, all they teach us is comprehension and analysis, when I just want to write. For the next workshop, will you accept young teenagers with parental permission? And when you sauy short stories, can it be a desciptive story or does it have to have a plot?
Hi Nwando,
We will take your request into consideration, as long as you have parental permission and are selected for the workshop. It can be a descriptive story. More details when we make the call for this year’s entries.
Okay. Thank you very much. Just to say, I cannot wait for ‘Americanah’. My mum has already pre-ordered it. Go Chimamanda!
I just feel that the requirement is a little too stringent. considering that it is termed “Creative writting workshop” is it supposed to allow the very beginers who cannot already produce excellent works to come and be menthored? or what good is it if for those who have gone far in writting sitting for trainings that supposedly should look at the bottom of the pyramids. ?
I for one will like to be part, for the love I have for literature, but I am yet a starter.
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acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read far more from you. This is really a tremendous website.
I am highly encouraged by this initiative by chimamanda. Pls kindly notify me when the 2013 workshop starts. I don’t want to miss it. Thank you.
Be sure to follow us here, n twitter and/or on Facebook and you won’t miss the news!
I am so glad that the workshop takes place yearly. I sincerely hope I am selected for the next one. Kindly tell me when and what address I can submit my entry when it is time. Thanks.
Hi Eniola, the Workshop usually takes place in the middle of the year. Don’t worry as long as you’re following us here or on Twitter you can’t miss the news
Pls, when is the date for the literary evening as I wish to attend. Thanks
It’s on August 24. Other details will be announced shortly.
please how what is the criteria to attend the literary evening on the last day?
The literary evening is open to the public. Everyone can attend.
When is the next workshop going to be taking place
The next workshop comes up in 2013.
Ten days to the workshop and I‘m yet to come to terms with the fact that I wasn‘t selected. God knows I gave my best; He knows I got prepared for the workshop d very day I sent my entry; He knows I adhered to all d instructions. Even d Angels will affirm that my entry is good. Yes, would‘ve shown me d green light bcos my inspiration from above n it‘s unequled.
What I don‘t understand is why Farafina failed to send me that 31th July mail that would‘ve made everything right. The simple truth is that they didn‘t go through my entry. Yes, I just figured it out!
FARAFINA, if u claim to have gone through my entry, what‘s the title (Name: Ebede Justice Ekene). Just publish the title here n let d world see d honesty in u. Spell it out n I‘ll rest my case.
For crying out loud, this ought to be WRITERS‘ WORKSHOP not some sort of town hall gathering where a man says a thing and turns around to do d opposite.
To Justice, Hector and all others in a similar situation:
Nigeria is a country of writers. In the same way people from Kenya can run marathons and people from Jamaica can run 100 metres, everywhere you go in Nigeria, you will meet many people who will tell you they are writers.
From this large number of writers, many of them who have studied writing for years at home and abroad, the workshop picks only 22.
For you to know this and say, “I can’t believe I wasn’t chosen,” is the same as saying you don’t believe it is possible that there are any twenty people in Africa that are better than you are.
The questions you should be asking instead is, can someone who is a professional look at my story and tell me what is wrong with it? And how can I improve my writing so that I will get accepted next time?
I understand many of us who are writers have grown up with friends and family members telling us we have good stories and we can write. But that sort of praise is what makes rejection so hard when you eventually try to become a professional.
If after all this, you still believe your story is so good that it should have been selected, then you are already a good writer and you don’t need the workshop to teach you anything more.
My greetings farafina.. N mor feathers 2 ur wings 4 doing a gud job. Pliz i wnt 2 ask a few questns, firstly, i wnt 2 knw d criteria for selectin d entries 4 d workshop or did chimamanda do d selection herself coz i knw i did a gud story n also adherd 2 al d rules bt i wsnt pickd? Secondly, i cnt undastnd y u decided 2 extnd d duratn 4 sendin entries in d 1st place (i mean many of us didnt see necesry in dat d numba of entries sent already were far mor dan wt ws 2 b selectd, so why d extensn?) 3rdly, i wnt 2 knw y u decided 2 release d results b4 31st july as was statd earlier? In my opinion dis doesnt shw transparency at al(u shud stick 2 wt u say no mata wat..) , instead it mks us believ dat anythin is posibl in farafina jas lik any oda program organisd in Nigeria n run by Nigerians..lik i wont b surprise if d results actualy came out b4 d publicity. U can choose not 2 reply or even delete dis post if u wish. I wont b surprise. Thank u!
Hello Hector. In answer to your questions, the criteria for selection is the merit of the writing.
Secondly, the deadline was extended because Farafina Trust ran a newspaper advert, to give an opportunity to writers who aren’t online to see the announcement. The advert was published late, and for that reason the deadline was moved forward.
Thirdly, the selected writers were announced before July 31 because the entries were read and selection successfully concluded before that date. Note that our announcement had said that selected writers would be contacted BY July 31, which means on or before that date.
Dear Farafina Group.
The mouth that has just eaten a good dish tells by the nod of the head and smiles on the face. When i came to know about the Farafina workshop, which was by accident and a little of sheer curiosity, i was instantly filled with joy. I should thank you for organizing the workshop. I wish more of this type of workshop could take place. Thank you so much.
Wow! I remember someone asking if selected participants could be notified before July 31 so they could make travel plans if need be and the reply to the comment was no because time was needed to go through all entries. And that was when the deadline was still June 25! Its hilarious that the deadline changed to July 8 and as at July 25, all those selected have already been notified! Go Farafina!!!
Thanks Farafina for this great opportunity.
Pls help reduce the tension in me. By telling me if my name is on list: Ihejirika Charles Uzoma.
Plssss.
Please check your email. You would have received notification by email if selected.
Wish to verify my status regarding the workshop, kindly let me know if i’m selected.
Please check your email. You would have received notification by email if selected. Thanks.
*sad*..Thanks though
The thing is that I have problem with ma mail. So pls you reply would be very useful, sorry for the inconvenience
Hi Christian. Sorry, your name does not appear on our list. The workshop comes up yearly, so keep writing. Best of luck.
Pls I would like to know if I was selected. Obi chimaobi christian
Hello Christian. Please check your email (including spam). You would have been contacted if your work was selected.
How do we certify the authenthicness of this workshop. It was said notification would commence from July 31 now the news is participant has been selected and notified. I regret wasting my precious time for this pathethic workshop. Is not transparent
Hello Christopher. It was stated that notifications would be sent to selected participants BY July 31, meaning on or before that date.
Farafina grp. Should we take it has there is no july 31 selection notification date
Hello. The selected participants have already been notified.
Can you please tell me here if I was chosen because someone hacked into my mail box and changed my password so I cannot access my account. Thanks
Hi Sylvia. Your name does not appear to be on the list we have of selected participants.
Pls, in regards to shortlistment. Does it mean that all candidate that made it has been contacted? Asking as to know if I will have my mind off the workshop which I having harbouring in my soul for months now since I submited and have not being contacted
Yes, all selected applicants have been contacted.
Hi, Farafina group. From the information earlier given, it was stated that accepted applicants will be notified on July 31. How come some people are claiming to have been invited already.
Hello Justice. Please note that the selected writers were to be notified by July 31 (which means on or before that date). It was possible to conclude the selection process before July 31, and so the candidates have been notified.
Please, I will like to know if the accommodation is free.
Please…i sent my write up on 8th but onchecking on the 9th i found out that i didnt enter the correct mail, so i had to resnd on the 9th hope i wont be disqualified for that.
i want to be part of the workshop in lagos.
Perfect!
how soon are the chosen applicants going to get their replies so as to plan ahead?
All selected participants will be notified by July 31.
Can we submit more than one entry?
Only one entry is allowed per applicant.
would sure love to attend this workshop but do you provide air fare for those outside Nigeria..
No, selected applicants have to come to Lagos at their own expense.
Thanks for the extension!
But my entry was well above the word limit because I got the information from a wrong source & hence, short of details. Now, do I need to edit & resend?
Thanks for the extension!
But my entry was well above the word limit because I got the information late & short of details. Do I need to edit & resend?
Is it just any fiction? I write tragic short stories, not fully detailed with regards to names and etc. Will it be acceptable?
Reblogged this on Kalmnkool's Blog.
No reply coming from u to those of us who have submited. Tell us if we are sellected or not. Please do, cos i desperately wud like to attend.
Selected participants will be notified by July 31.
helo,i found out about this workshop a few days back through ur advert in punch newspaper.but d closing date in d advert is 8th july nt 25th june.is there an extension of d deadline or was it a mistake? i’m just about sending mine.
Yes, the deadline has been extended to July 8.
Is there any change to the notification or workshop date?
So far there has been no change.
i submitted a story but didnt get an acknowledegement that it was reviewed, is that ok?
Yes, it’s okay. Acknowledgements will not be sent to every one who sends in an entry, because of the volume. Selected writers will be contacted.
are they any exception for entries a day late?I know the deadline was fixed but i got the notice today and am sending mine in now
Despite network’s unprovoked hostilities i luckily succeeded in submitting mine at 11: 58 PM, 25-6-2012. But something seems to be the problem. After I sent it, i went to my sent mails to verify if it was really sent; i was sent but the story was duplicated(the second story started after the last fullstop of the first story).
Please! Please! Please!
I got the information through a frd vry late & short of details. Hence,my writing sample is a bit more than d required words. Pls., pardon me, it wasn’t intentional.
I’v always wished 4 an opportunity like this…can’t afford missing it.
I am confident that any part cut from d excerpt 2 arrive @ d required words num. won’t do much harm; & that’s 1 favour I hereby humbly ask of u.
Pls., I look forward 2 hearing from u. Thnks.
Hmmmm! This would be great an opportunity for me and a dream come through. . . God help me to be selected.
Can I exceed the word limit by just a couple hundred? I’ve tried all I can…
Last day. I know. But will reviews be accepted after all it is prose and non-fiction?
Can I submit a poem within the range of word limits?
Only prose entries are allowed.
Reblogged this on Bakwai Photo Journal and commented:
If you live in Nigeria, you might want to check this out. It’s a good writing opportunity, and a chance to improve your writing skills.
Please, I want to know, must entries exclusively be excerpts? What about short stories?
Entries can be excerpts or short stories, but the word limit should not be exceeded.
how are we going to be notified
Accepted participants will be notified by email.
this would be an awesome workshop and opportunity. God bless you for the initiative.
Definitely going to try out and hopefully not only get picked but be in Nigeria then, *fingers crossed and toes too*
Reblogged this on sisijacobs and commented:
an opportunity to finesse the craft of writing
Hope the time of submission will not affect one‘s chances. I just sent a story. I think it‘s left for me to pray and hope.
Reblogged this on BookRepublic and commented:
This is from Chimamanda Adichie’s Farafina Trust.
Great job you guys are doing for Nigerian literature. Just noticed the email address, is it case sensitive(cause the ‘U’ is in caps.)?
Regards,
Hi Kel. The email is not case sensitive, so it’ll work either way.
is there any financial impliication to attending this seminr?
Hello Steve. If you are asking if attendees would have to pay, the answer is no. It’s free for the selected participants.
Any age limits?
There are no age limits.
Reblogged this on Little Steps.
I can’t remember the requirement asking for the title of the story. So, I didn’t include the title in my entry. Does this disqualify me?
No, it doesn’t disqualify you.
Thanks to the organizers of this workshop for creating this opportunity. I know i will participate.
What genres are applicable for this workshop, please?
It has to be prose, and can be fiction or nonfiction.
It has to be prose, but can be fiction or non-fiction.
For those of us applying from outside Nigeria who, if accepted, would need to buy a plane ticket, only hearing on 31 July leaves just two weeks to secure a not-too-costly ticket. Is there any way the inform date can be made even a week sooner?
Hello, Abiola. Unfortunately, the announcement cannot be made sooner. The judges need the time to go through the large number of entries sent in.
I love that this opportuinty is within reach and open to all. Big ups to Chimamanda and the entire Farafina crew.
This is a welcome development
I hope this workshop will be a great platfoam for unencouraged writers like myself .
Those of us who submitted has got no response from farafina
Hello Emmanuel. Please note that the application is still open, and so you cannot get a response now. Successful applicants will be contacted and notified by July 31.
Nice one
It is really nice to have people of like minds come together to share ideas. A workshop organized by Chimamanda Adichie, who I call the voice of African people, God knows I would give the last coin in my pocket to be in that workshop. However, the problem is that I don’t have the power to decide that.
Farafina, please I will like to know what you are looking for in a story which, I believe, is the major criterion to being invited. Also, what number of participants are you planning on inviting? Have a great day, as I look fore#ward to your reply..
Hello Justice. There isn’t any specific kind of story you need to send. Just follow the submission rules and bear in mind that participants are chosen on the merit of their entries.
Hello, is the workshop open to people who are not Nigerians, ie. foreigners living in Lagos? Please advise! Carol
Hello Carol. The workshop is open to writers from African countries, regardless of where they live.
The workshop is now open to writers of all nationalities. Please disregard any previous responses. Thank you.
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Is it only short stories or does the entry include poems?
Poetry entries are not allowed.
Pls, is it advisable to send the writing sample and one’s personal data like name, address, etc at the same time and in the same body of the email? Thanks
According to the instructions, please include your name, address and a few words about yourself with your submission.
When you say a sample of your writing does it mean any sample or must any writing submitted be complete and able to stand on its own?
Your sample can be an excerpt of something longer, or a complete piece. But bear in mind that it must fall within the word limit: 200 to 800 words.
Ive always to attend this workshop but never got the chance. and now when i think i will finally get the chance i find my final exams ve been fixed for the period this year‘s own is holding. ‘so i have a question-why not hold it in september now?‘(believing my name will make it to the shortlist of participants)
I WANT TO BE PART OF THE WRITERS FOR THE WORKSHOP SOON.
I WANT TO BE PART OF WRITERS,I HAVE SENT MY POEM.I DONT THINK I WILL BE CHOSEN.
Is the workshop open only to Nigerian writers or can Ghana-based writers apply?
Hi, Fiona. The workshop is open to African writers.
hoping for the best here…
Please, should title of the material included or not?
It was not specified.
Thanks for your anticipated response.
Yes, you should include the title of your entry.
Reblogged this on Oluochcliff's Blog.
Honestly, i can’t wait to participate.
I wish i knew such workshop do exist in Nigeria but today.
Thanks to Chimamanda
I really cant wait for this oppurtunity