The indefatigable Mike Riddell instigated the idea of administering a writers’ residency in Ōtūrēhua. The idea was to offer a generously donated package of house and stipend to a writer or writers over 12 winter weeks in the hope that they would find inspiration in this grand landscape as well as the support of a group of committed writers who have made this village their home.
Tragically, Mike died suddenly in March 2022, before the first residency took place. In his honour we named the residency after him. Our inaugural residents were Tim Higham for six weeks in July to August, and Rhian Gallagher for the remaining six weeks from August through to September.
The Under Rough Ridge Writers’ Retreat Trustees offer a 6 or 12-week residency in the village. The residency includes the exclusive use of the house and a weekly stipend of $1000 during the stay. The house (built 2012) sits in the centre of the village, three doors from the pub and store. It has three bedrooms, a bathroom, garage, BBQ, woodburner and heat pump. Power, internet, and firewood are covered by the residency.
In 2023 the dates for a 12-week stay will be 1 July to 23 September. Or, for a 6-week stay, they will be 1 July to 12 August and 19 August to 30 September. Applications close on 14 April 2023.
Residency Conditions and Application Process
We invite applications from serious writers of proven literary merit in the genres of fiction, nonfiction or poetry. ‘Proven literary merit’ means having published at least one book as well as a body of work in recognised publications.
The residency is intended for writers for whom the stipend and the opportunity to dedicate several months to working on a specified project will represent a life-changing benefit. It’s therefore likely that the successful applicant will be an emerging or mid-career writer.
Applicants should be Aotearoa New Zealand citizens or permanent residents actually living in this country, and at least 35 years of age.
The theme of this year’s Under Rough Ridge Writers’ Retreat is ‘history and heritage across genres’. Consequently, our preference will be for this year’s resident/s to have history and heritage as the theme of their work.
There is the possibility for the residency to be shared between two people for six weeks each. Please specify whether you wish to stay for 6 or 12 weeks. We require each resident to send us a written report about their time in the village and their writing project at the end of their stay. We also ask the resident/s to donate a copy of one of their books to the house.
Resident/s are responsible for their travel to and from Ōtūrēhua and transport while here, as well as their own food. Please note that shopping facilities in the village are limited. Ranfurly is 25 kms to the north, and Alexandra 60 kms to the south.
Applicants also need to be aware that maturity, resilience and good health are needed to live in rural Central Otago through the winter!
The residency cannot be held concurrently with another literary grant. If, at the time of selection, the successful applicant has been awarded one, the Under Rough Ridge residency will go to the next person on the shortlist.
Any published work arising from the residency should acknowledge the award.
The closing date for applications is 14 April 2023 and we’ll make our decision made during the first week of May.
Please complete the below application form and include:
- CV that includes your published work
- A sample of your writing (2–4 pages)
“You have to be here, you / have to feel the deep / slow surge of the hills, /
the cloak of before, the wrench / of beyond” — Brian Turner
Writers’ Residency Application
All information supplied remains strictly confidential to the residency selection panel.
First Name
Last Name
Address
Phone
Description of your project
How will you benefit from the residency and what will it bring to your writing? (attach a separate page if necessary).
I am over 35
Please attach
Literary CV
Sample of your writing
Submit
SEND COMPLETED APPLICATION TO ARRIVE BY 14th APRIL 2023 TO
URRWR Trustees, c/o Rosemary Riddell, 3377 Ida Valley-Omakau Road, Oturehua 9359
