Dubai, 16 August, 2015: Do you have a story to tell about the UAE or Emirati culture but you don’t know where to start? Emirates Literature Foundation is offering a Mentorship Programme to emerging women Emirati writers for a once-in-a–lifetime opportunity to have their work mentored by award-winning fiction writer, Liz Fenwick. She will mentor one candidate through the process of writing a debut novel from beginning to end.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Emirates Literature Foundation said, ‘One of the key aims of the Foundation is to find different ways to encourage a culture of reading and writing and to provide young Emirati writers with a platform to launch their writing careers. With this mentorship programme, we are giving them a fantastic opportunity to tell their stories and hone their creative writing skills.’

Liz Fenwick, author of four books, with a fifth releasing in 2016, said of the programme, ‘This is my way of giving back to the country that I have lived in for over eleven years. My novels are about women, and that’s one of the main reasons I’m looking to mentor a woman writer. It’s an opportunity to hear other women’s stories.’

Fenwick’s books are set in Cornwall, UK, but her aim with the programme is to help an Emirati develop an authentic story based in the region. ‘Many of the novels set in the Emirates are written by expats,’ she said, ‘but there are not enough stories in the English language about Emirati life. It’s going to be immensely hard work for the eventual winner, but I’m here for them.’

The mentorship programme will be open to all female Emiratis who choose to write in English, irrespective of what stage their novel has reached. The eventual candidate will be mentored in forming the structure of the novel, its concept and theme, and will be offered expert advice along this exciting journey.

On completing the first draft, Fenwick will instruct the writer in the art of self-editing, an important process in making the final draft into a prepared manuscript ready to be sent to agents and publishers. Once Fenwick and the candidate are satisfied with the final manuscript, she will help her pitch the novel to literary agents and publishers.

Candidates should apply online with a 2000 word submission of their novel, along with a brief synopsis and the theme of the book. Submissions close on November 30, 2015. The candidates will be shortlisted and the winner of the programme declared in January 2016. For details on the programme visit: diwc.ae/the-liz-fenwick-mentorship-programme The Emirates Literature Foundation was established in 2013 by royal decree by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai and aims to support and nurture literature within the community and the region by creating a welcoming and inclusive platform through a programme of varied cultural initiatives.