Writing a book can be tough, especially when you have to make a living at the same time. The Miles Morland Foundation knows this, so they offer a special scholarship to help new African writers. The Morland Writing Scholarship gives them the money and time they need to finish their first book in English. This way, they can focus on their writing without worrying about how to pay the bills. It's a great opportunity for talented writers to bring their ideas to life and share them with the world.
Who Is Eligible?
The scholarship is available to anyone who writes in English and has a strong connection to Africa, either by being born there or having parents who were both born on the continent. The program wants to stays committed to its goal of supporting and developing African writers, giving them a platform to express themselves and share their unique perspectives with the world. This approach helps to ensure that the program remains authentic and dedicated to its mission of fostering African literary talent.
What Does the Scholarship Offer?
The grant provides scholars with a substantial amount of money, £18,000, which is paid out monthly over the course of a year. This helps to reduce the financial strain that often comes with pursuing a writing project.
For non-fiction writers, who usually need more time to conduct research, the Foundation is willing to extend the grant period to up to 18 months. With this financial backing, writers can devote their time and energy to creating the first draft of a comprehensive book, which is usually at least 80,000 words in length. This support enables them to focus on their work without the burden of financial worries, allowing them to produce a high-quality manuscript. The grant is designed to give writers the freedom to concentrate on their craft, and the flexibility to take the time they need to complete their project.
Commitments and Conditions
Writing regularly is a must for these scholars - they have to send in at least 10,000 new words every month by email. This helps them get into a steady writing routine. Although they don't get feedback on their writing while they're working on their project, they do get to meet with experienced authors or publishers afterwards.
This is a great chance for them to learn from people who have been in the business for a while. The scholars are also asked to give back to the community by donating 20% of any money they make from their book - whether it's from sales, movie rights, or serialization. This isn't a rule that's enforced, but more of a gentleman's agreement. The idea is that by giving back, they can help support future scholars and keep the community going.
Application Essentials
To be considered, writers need to submit a piece of their published work that's between 2,000 and 5,000 words long, and they have to show that it's available for sale. This work should be either fiction or non-fiction for adults - so no poetry, plays, kids' books, scripts, or collections of short stories.
They also can't submit something they worked on with someone else, or anything that's academic, scientific, religious, or political in nature. When they submit their proposal, it needs to be for a brand new book that stands on its own, not something they're still working on.
Crucial Notes on AI and Submission Integrity
The rules of the MMF are clear: no artificial intelligence is allowed when putting together submissions. If an entry seems like it was made with the help of AI, it will be disqualified right away, no questions asked. This is done to keep the scholarship honest and make sure the creativity is real.
Next Steps for Shortlisted Candidates
If you're one of the lucky ones to make the cut, you'll need to send in a chapter from your book - it should be around 3,000 to 4,000 words - within two weeks. This will give the funders a better idea of your writing style and skills. Along with that, they'd like you to include a short bio that tells them a bit about yourself and how you got into writing. This will help them get to know you better and understand what makes you tick as a writer.
Should You Apply?
The Morland Writing Scholarship is a great help to African writers who want to share their stories without worrying about money. It's not just about the money, though - it also helps writers stay focused, strive for excellence, and connects them with a community of other African authors who can offer guidance and support. If you're an aspiring writer who qualifies, you should take your time to put together a strong application and see this as a chance to really boost your writing career, not just get some financial help.
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