application guidance .
Who should apply?
We encourage new and emerging prose writers and dramatists with some history of publication to apply.
It is important that applicants have a strong sense of their writing ethic and an awareness of their own artistic purpose and beliefs. This is not a teaching or workshopping environment, but rather an opportunity for open discussion and the exchange of ideas.
There will certainly be specific craft sessions and engagement with the work of the attending pillar writers will be fundamental to these, but the aim is to foster more challenging forms of scrutiny and response, rather than to offer traditional advice and feedback.
Unpublished writers are welcome to apply if they feel they have the confidence to profit from this robust environment.
Unsuccessful applicants will still have access to the entire filmed component of To The Lighthouse, including the year-round series of small round-table debates among established writers and artists currently being recorded in Paris. In this way we hope that the range of ideas and artistic philosophies we generate will be of use in all applicants’ personal practice.
What should be included in the application?
The application should chiefly include a brief account of your work and aims, including mention of or links to published work. If a short personal statement or cv will help us to better understand your application please include them.
An optional writing sample (essential in the case of unpublished writers) can be included. It should be no less than 1000 words and no more than 5000 words.
A small fee of 20 euros (10 euros for unwaged applicants) will need to be paid when submitting your application.
What is the application timeline?
The deadline for applications for the 2027 edition of To the Lighthouse is 1 January 2027.
Applicants will be notified of the results by 1 March 2027.
Successful applicants should arrive in Mortagne-sur-Gironde on 31 May 2027. The forum will begin first thing on 1 June 2027 and will end 4 June 2027.