Call for applications: Saboteur Awards 2022

At Sabotage Reviews HQ, there have been many questions thrown around about the shape of the festival next year. The pandemic caused a difficult but brilliant shift in the ways events can be run, and it seems only right that for the next festival we try to capitalise on this.

With that in mind, the Saboteur Awards Festival 2022 will be a blended affair. The festival proper will take place online, over the course of a week (with, ideally, one or two events per day). Meanwhile, the awards themselves – and the entertainment, socialising, and networking that comes with them – will be hosted in Birmingham, on May 14 (2022). Whether this will be an afternoon or evening event is yet to be decided.

Of course, though, you can’t have a festival without a string of brilliant events, so…

From September 27, 2021, we will be accepting submissions for event applications for the festival in 2022 (taking place from May 9 – 13). We’re especially interested in panels, workshops and performances, all of which can be (and/or have been) adapted for an online format. Our preferred platform is Zoom, however if event organisers prefer an alternative then we’re completely open to change. We will close submissions on October 25, 2021, and aim to respond to all pitches within a timely manner.

Panels

We are looking for diverse and thought-provoking 30-45 minute panels investigating an aspect of independent literature (whether fiction, spoken word, publishing, producing, digital and interactive modes etc.), bringing to light a particular feature/point of view, or opening up discussion on a pertinent topic.

Given the ways in which the pandemic has encouraged so many of us to adapt, we are also especially interested in discussions that address diversity and inclusivity in independent literature.

We prefer fully formed panels with a title and secured panellists.

Apply by sending in:

  • Title of your panel
  • a 250 word description of your panel
  • where applicable short third-person biographies for each panellist
  • an estimated fee

For the sake of clarity: we are applying for Arts Council Funding this year and we hope to be able to pay panellists a fee. If funding is not possible we will work out a ticket-based system of remuneration.

Workshops

We are looking for creative workshops on any aspect of indie literature (whether fiction, spoken word, publishing, producing, digital and interactive modes etc.).

Given the ways in which the pandemic has encouraged so many of us to adapt, we are also especially interested in workshops that address: running events online; the practicalities of online platforms used in literary endeavours; collaborating through digital means, and similar topics. This is by no means an exhaustive list.

You can lead a workshop alone or in pairs.

Apply by sending in:

  • Title of your workshop
  • 250 word description of your workshop
  • short third-person biographies for each workshop leader
  • indicate skill level required, number of ideal participants, and whether it is an open or closed workshop
  • Length of time (ideally 1 hour)
  • an estimated fee

For the sake of clarity: we are applying for Arts Council Funding this year and we hope to be able to pay workshop leaders a fee. If funding is not possible we will work out a ticket-based system of remuneration.

Performances

We are open to submissions from poetry collectives or for group projects to deliver poetry shows or performances of anything up to 30 minutes. Preference will be given to groups choosing an unusual theme or experimenting with performance and delivery through their work.

Apply by sending in:

  • Title of your concept
  • 250 word description of your performance
  • short third-person biographies for each performer
  • an estimated fee

For the sake of clarity: We are applying for Arts Council Funding this year and we hope to be able to pay performers a fee. If funding is not possible we will work out a ticket-based system of remuneration.

Other

Great idea that doesn’t fit into the above? Email anyway!

Apply

The opening date for proposal submissions was September 27, 2021 and we will close submissions on 25 October, 2021. Submit by emailing Charley Barnes at [email protected], with the subject line ‘Saboteur Awards Proposal’ – please follow the instructions above to include the right information.