Lindsay Literary Agency launches scholarship for under-represented children's writers

The Lindsay Literary Agency is sponsoring a scholarship place for an "under-represented" writer of children's fiction at the Winchester Writers’ Festival 2018.

Open to unagented YA and middle grade writers, of any age, from an under-represented background (including but not limited to LGBTQIA, BAME and people with disabilities), the scholarship will cover the cost of three days at the festival which takes place 15th - 17th June. 

The scholarship includes access to all workshops and talks at the Winchester Writers’ Festival, four one-to-one appointments with industry experts, all meals, accommodation and travel. 

The Lindsay Literary Agency was set up by Becky Bagnell in 2008 and represents a range of children’s authors. Among her clients are Scholastic author Sue Wallman and Pamela Butchart - both of whom Bagnell met the Winchester Writers’ Festival. Wallman's books, Lying About Last Summer and See How They Lie, have since been selected by Zoella for her bookclub, while Butchart's book The Baby Brother from Outer Space (Nosy Crow), illustrated by Thomas Flintham, is now part of 2018's World Book Day campaign.

Bagnell said: "We’re delighted to be sponsoring this scholarship place. The Winchester Writers’ Festival is where I met two of the agency’s most inspirational authors and it is really important to us to able to extend this opportunity to a writer from an under-represented background."

L-R Festival director Judith Heneghan, poet and last year's keynote speaker Lemn Sissay and vice-chancellor of Winchester University Joy Carter

Judith Heneghan, the festival director, said: "We are keen to widen participation amongst those who might not normally be able to attend and this year I'm particularly thrilled to announce the addition of the Lindsay Literary Scholarship, generously sponsored by Becky Bagnell.”

The Winchester Writers’ Festival was founded in 1980 by Barbara Large MBE and is designed to provide inspiration, support and "unparalleled networking opportunities" for writers working in all forms and genres. During the festival one-to-one appointments are available with over 70 literary agents, commissioning editors, authors, poets and publishing experts.

For information on how to apply to the Lindsay Literary Scholarship, those interested should go to the festival's website. The festival also annually offers 10 scholarship places for young writers, aged 18-25.

For further details readers can also email the festival's director at Judith.Heneghan@winchester.ac.uk. The deadline to apply for all scholarships is Friday 13th April 2018.