Silliman National Writers Workshop

The Silliman National Writers Workshop, now called the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop, was founded (in 1962) by the late Edilberto K. Tiempo and National Artist for Literature Edith L. Tiempo of Silliman University. It is an annual literary workshop held for three weeks every summer in Dumaguete City, and it is the longest running literary workshop in the Philippines.

Practically all Filipino writers of any importance have joined the Silliman Writers Workshop at one time or another, either as fellows, lecturers, or panelists. Being a pioneer, the Silliman Writers Workshop occupies a premier position in the history of creative writing in the Philippines.

Dumaguete National Writers Workshop

Since the Silliman University decreased funding of the workshop, the Silliman National Writers Workshop has disassociated itself from Silliman University, and now gets its funding from the National Commission of Culture and Arts (NCCA). Its name has been changed to the Dumaguete National Writers Workshop.

In 2008, organization of the workshop returned to Silliman University's English Department, with additional support from the NCCA, as well as local businesses from Dumaguete and other literature and art enthusiasts.

Fellowship

A minimum of twelve fellowships are open every summer for young writers, all over the country. The first screening panel, composed of members of the Creative Writing Foundation, selects the writing fellows for the summer based on the manuscripts submitted by the applicants. These selected manuscripts are forwarded to the Director of the Workshop, National Artist for Literature Edith L. Tiempo, who does the final screening and formally approves the final lineup of writing fellows.

The writing fellowship covers board and lodging for the full 22 days of the duration of the entire workshop.

Application

The applicant must submit the following requirements: original manuscripts consisting of at least 3-5 short stories, or 3-5 one-act plays, or 7-10 poems (stories, plays, and poems in English are preferred); a cover letter addressed to the Director; a diskette containing the various submitted literary works encoded in Microsoft Word; a recommendation letter from a renowned writer or literature teacher; two 2x2 pictures; and a brief biodata or resume.

References

* [http://www.ncca.gov.ph/about_cultarts/articles.php?artcl_Id=39 Impact of Creative Writing Workshops] . Retrieved August 30, 2005.

http://www.geocities.com/nwwdumaguete/main.html