Workshops At Pa Gya! 2019

Workshops At Pa Gya! 2019

The third edition of Pa Gya! A Literary Fesitival in Accra will take place from 18th October 2019 to 20th October 2019. As part of the festival, there will be a number of workshops on Friday, 18th October 2019 designed to improve writing and performance skills for writers in different genres.

This call is for the following workshops: "How to Write Historical Fiction" by Ayesha Harruna Attah, "Spoken Word Workshop" with Tanya Evanson, "Blogging 101 -- How to create content and monetize your blog" with Naa Dzamah (of Calabash Hub) and Babs Ofori, and a workshop on writing young adult fiction with Yaba Badoe, "Writing Non-Fiction" with Pelu Awofeso and Sabata-mpho Mokae; and a workshop on poetry by Philippa Yaa de Villiers. Space in the workshops is limited and prospective participants are encouraged to apply early.

To apply to participate in any of the workshops, send a two-page sample of your writing (in the genre of the workshop you wish to attend) to pagyafestival@gmail.com, and put "workshop" in the subject of your email. Do remember to add your name and a short (50 word) bio.

The deadline to receive the submissions is Wednesday, 9th October, 2019. Notifications of selection will be sent out on Friday, 11th October, 2019.

"How to write Historical Fiction" with Ayesha Harruna Attah. Ayesha says: "In its simplest form, historical fiction is a piece of fiction set in the past. I like to think of it as writing that is supported with a scaffolding of facts and imbued with the magic of fiction. In this workshop, we’ll discuss Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi’s Kintu, which begins in the Buganda Kingdom in the 1700s and carries forward into four generations of the Kintu family. We’ll look at how she crafts her world and ask questions about writing the past, picking apart what is invented, what is fact, what difference that makes, and how that can apply to our own work. Required: reading of Kintu, notebooks/paper, and novel ideas that you would like to work on."

Spoken Word Workshop with Tanya Evanson: This workshop traverses silence and sound in the creation of spoken word poetry. Meditation, investigation, magical editing and unique vocal exercises turn quiet literature into loud orature that is unleashed in a non-competitive cabaret. Requirements: passion, patience, paper, pen, mind, body and voice.

"Blogging 101 -- How to create content and monetize your blog" with Nana Dzamah and Babs Ofori: This workshop is for all bloggers, vloggers and content writers and newbies – whether new or professional, writing for business or pleasure. Join this workshop also to network and connect with bloggers from different sectors, learn from experiences and collectively share ideas to commence as a new blogger or to excel further.

Workshop on writing Young Adult fiction, with Yaba Badoe: This workshop will is meant to improve the writing skill of the participants in this genre and will cover content, structure, and presentation.

Writing Non-fiction, with Pelu Awofeso and Sabata-mpho Mokae: This workshop is for writers interested in all forms of non-fiction, including travel writing and memoirs. It will discuss the elements required in writing non-fiction and include discussions on the participants' own writing.

Poetry workshop with Philippa Yaa de Villiers: This workshop is for up-and-coming poets who may have published collections (either print or online) and are looking to improve their craft. Poetry submitted by the participants will form the basis for the discussion at the workshop.