The Commonwealth Games provides a unique opportunity for Scotland to explore its cultural heritage with the wider Commonwealth. Glasgow’s Mitchell Library hosts a vast collection of original archival material relating to Scotland’s shared history with the Caribbean, forged in many ways in the 1750s by the North Atlantic Slave Trade. The Caribbean has dispersed archives and resources though not, as yet, coherent collections on this topic.

The British Council is working with the Mitchell Library (Glasgow, Scotland) and a local Caribbean partner to convene an ambitious residency programme for writers of historical fiction from both places to explore this relationship. Two Caribbean writers from the Commonwealth will take up residence at Mitchell Library for three weeks with a creative brief to explore and respond to the archive of original source material from the time period. One Scottish writer will head to Trinidad for three weeks, one spent in the company of literature networks in Port of Spain and a further two of independent travel to visit dispersed resources across the Caribbean region and do the same. Writers will publicly explore the relationship between the two places and the craft of weaving history into their stories.

The writers from the Caribbean (Lisa Allen-Agostini & Diana MacAulay) will be at the Mitchell Library from 11 August – 31 August and the outgoing writer (Jane Harris) will be in the Caribbean from 1st September - 21st September.

Here is a link to the webpage http://literature.britishcouncil.org/news/2014/july/trading-tales-call-for-writers

The region’s only prize that seeks to open doors for budding writers opens for submissions until 30 September 2014.

The 2015 Hollick Arvon Caribbean Writers Prize will be awarded to an emerging writer of poetry. Submissions close on 30th September at 6pm. 

The Prize, administered by The Bocas Lit Fest and worth a total of US$15,000, will give the winning Caribbean-based writer time to advance a poetry collection. It includes a year’s mentoring by an established poet and travel to the United Kingdom to attend a one-week intensive creative writing course of their choice at Arvon.

The winning writer will also have three days in London to network with literary professionals, hosted by the UK’s leading creative writing organisation, Arvon, in association with Free Word Centre and agents Rogers, Coleridge & White, and receive a cash award of  £3,000 or US$4,500.

This is year 3 of the Prize. In 2012, the Hollick Arvon Caribbean Writers prize was for fiction and was won by Barbara Jenkins of Trinidad and Tobago. In 2013, Jamaican, Diana McCaulay took home the prize for non-fiction. The Hollick Arvon Caribbean Writers Prize is presented at Trinidad and Tobago’s annual literary festival, the NGC Bocas Lit Fest, in Port of Spain in late April.

To qualify, writers must be of Caribbean birth or citizenship, aged over 18, living in the region, and not yet published a full poetry collection. For more details on how to enter, access the guidelines and entry forms here: http://www.bocaslitfest.com/hollick-arvon-prize/. Entries should be emailed to hap@bocaslitfest.com. 

Don't hesitate to get in touch with any queries. We look forward to your submissions. 

Regards,
The Bocas Lit Fest team

P.S.: A reminder that the Burt Award for Caribbean Literature, given to three literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by Caribbean authors, is also open for submissions. Find out more here:  http://www.bocaslitfest.com/burt-award-for-caribbean-literature/. Spread the word!

In order to promote trade and export development among CARIFORUM member states, there is a need to showcase the private sector success stories of the beneficiaries of Caribbean Export.  This not only supports the increased visibility of the Agency but also is a means to encourage Caribbean excellence across the region. The Primed for Success publication provides a collection of articles on exporting businesses that have benefited from Caribbean Export work programme activities to contribute their success.

In order to produce this publication, Caribbean Export is looking to work with an experienced publishing firm that will provide the following services, as outlined in the terms of reference.

• Interview the agreed list of beneficiaries (approx. 20)
• Write articles (approx. 20) that highlight the businesses growth and success as a result of participating in Caribbean Export initiatives
• Liaise with Caribbean Export to determine the appropriate design and layout of the publication;
• Provide 3 design and layout options in keeping with the brand guidelines to select from;
• Design a cover page for the publication;
• Create an electronic version of the publication;
• Liaise with Caribbean Export to determine the appropriate print specification and quality
• Recommend 3 print firms to Caribbean Export who are capable of printing to the agreed specification and quality;
• Provide recommendations and assistance to ensure the final print meets the expected standards.

General Criteria
All publishers must:

• Be nationals of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of states or of the European Union
• Have practical experience of at least five (10) years in producing corporate publications including magazines
• Have previously prepared digital publications

Required Documentation

1. At least two (2) examples of published magazines including electronic or online versions
2. Proposal including information related to but not limited to Company Profile, Methodology, Key Experts, Timetable of Activities

Interested persons/firms must submit all required documentation to Caribbean Export Development Agency addressed  to JoEllen Laryea, Advisor – PR and Marketing via email to jlaryea@carib-export.com

Submissions via post can be sent to:

JoEllen Laryea, Advisor – PR and Marketing
Caribbean Export Development Agency
1st Floor Baobab Towers
Warrens
St. Michael
Barbados, BB22026

In order to be considered for this Consultancy, proposals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. Barbados Time on August 5, 2014.  No late submissions will be accepted.

Download the full TERMS of REFERENCE here

British Council, in partnership with Glasgow’s Mitchell Library, are asking writers to explore the relationship Scotland and the Caribbean share as part of a programme of activity for the Commonwealth Games.

Mitchell Library hosts a vast collection of original archival material relating to Scotland’s shared history with the Caribbean, forged in many ways in the 1750s by the North Atlantic Slave Trade. The Caribbean has dispersed archives and resources though not, as yet, coherent collections on this topic.

We’re delighted to put out the call for two Caribbean writers from the Commonwealth to take up residence at Mitchell Library for three weeks this August, with a creative brief to explore and respond to the archive of original source material from the time period. One Scottish writer will then head to Trinidad in September for three weeks, one spent in the company of literature networks in Port of Spain and a further two of independent travel to visit dispersed resources across the Caribbean region and do the same. Writers will publicly explore the relationship between the two places and the craft of weaving history into their stories.

To apply for this opportunity, please download the Call for Expressions of Interest. Interested parties will need to send their CV and a 500 word statement explaining why they are interested in the opportunity and what particularly interests them about the relationship between the Caribbean and Scotland to UK_Residency@britishcouncil.org no later than 12pm on Sunday 13 July 2014.

Trading Tales is one of four literature programmes around the Commonwealth Games that explores Scotland’s relationship with the broader Commonwealth through those that know it best – its writers and storytellers. See links to the side of this article to read more about theCommonwealth Writers conversation that happened at the Aye Write festival in May, and the ongoing Poets United project with the Scottish Poetry Library.

The Caribbean Writer, an international, refereed, literary journal with a Caribbean focus, is announcing a submission call for its 29th edition. Issues unique to the Caribbean should be central to the work, or the work should reflect a Caribbean heritage, experience, or perspective.

Besides the usual poetry, short fiction and essays, Volume 29 will highlight contradictions and ambiguities in the Caribbean space; therefore, they additionally welcome interviews, personal narratives, one act plays highlighting this theme.

Individuals are encouraged to submit poems (5 maximum), short stories and personal essays on general topics and also on the Caribbean musicians and visual artists theme. One-act plays will also be accepted. Only previously unpublished work will be considered. (If self-published, give details.) Include brief biographical information and list all contact information plus title of manuscript on a separate page. Only the title should appear on the manuscript.

All submissions are eligible for these prizes: The Daily News Prize for best poetry ($300), The Canute A. Brodhurst Prize for best short fiction ($400), The David Hough Literary Prize to a Caribbean author ($500), The Marguerite Cobb McKay Prize to a Virgin Islands author ($200), The Charlotte & Isidor Paiewonsky Prize for first-time publication ($250), and The Cecile deJongh Literary Prize to an author whose work best expresses the spirit of the Caribbean ($500).

Email Submissions to submit@thecaribbeanwriter.org as attached Word or RTF files or submit via the "Submissions" page at www.thecaribbeanwriter.org. Submissions may also be mailed to: The Caribbean Writer, University of the Virgin Islands, RR 1, Box 10,000, Kingshill St. Croix, VI 00850-9781. Include SASE for response. Submission deadline isDecember 30, 2014.

For more information, visit www.thecaribbeanwriter.org or email info@thecaribbeanwriter.org.
Contact Information
The Caribbean Writer
Rosetta Romain
340-692-4152
Contact
http://www.thecaribbeanwriter.org/