House of Stories Emerging Writers Residency
Chatsworth House Trust and Nottingham City of Literature are working in partnership to deliver an exciting opportunity for four emerging writers this summer. Over four days, the chosen writers will have unique access to the House of Stories collection and exhibition, working with expert staff and a writing mentor to produce a creative output.
House of Stories: Tales from the Chatsworth Library, 21 March – 4 October 2026
Chatsworth House is a house alive with stories. Its library, assembled by the Devonshire family over 500 years, is home to rare first editions, lavishly decorated volumes, and books annotated by past owners and readers.
For the first time, and in celebration of the UK’s National Year of Reading, the House of Stories exhibition brings together the library’s most exciting treasures, with first and early editions of works by authors including, Geoffrey Chaucer, Alexander Pope, Jane Austen, Caroline Lamb, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte Brontë, Oscar Wilde, and T.E. Lawrence. Also shared are associated manuscripts and letters from the Devonshire Archives, combined with furniture, sketches, and artworks.
House of Stories Emerging Writers Residency
Chatsworth has long attracted writers, readers and collectors of fiction, non-fiction, poetry and drama. Between 7-10 August 2026, we will be hosting an exciting new emerging writers residency programme in partnership with the Nottingham City of Literature team.
Our new residency programme aims to open up the collection to more creative writers and support a small group of emerging writers to respond to the exhibition in their own words, bringing different perspectives, ideas and creative forms to Chatsworth.
A focus during the residency will be to respond to the exhibition, alongside the collection, supported by members of the Chatsworth House team. We will work closely with the emerging writers to support the development of a new publication that will respond creatively to the House of Stories exhibition.
This opportunity is open to emerging writers in two categories:
18 – 25 year olds: who live, earn or learn in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire (inclusive of Nottingham and Derby)
26 years old and above: who live, earn or learn in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire (inclusive of Nottingham and Derby), or that have a tangible connection to a UK City of Literature (Norwich, Manchester, Exeter, Edinburgh and Aberystwyth).
Applications
Please read the information pack thoroughly before submitting an expression of interest (EOI).
Emerging Writers in the 18-25 years old category must live, earn or learn in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire. Those applying in the 26 years old and over category must live, earn or learn in Nottinghamshire or Derbyshire, or have a tangible connection to a UK City of Literature (Edinburgh, Aberwysyth, Exeter, Norwich or Manchester). We will be selecting four writers, two from each category.
You must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) and submit this along with two examples of your writing before the deadline of 26 July 5pm to Claire Bradnam, who is the co-ordinator of this programme. All enquiries should also be sent to Claire: claire@nottmcityoflit.org
Deadline: Sunday 26th July, 5pm
