A few words about your artistic journey

I’m a Kenyan author who writes as Muthoni Wa Gichuru. I have written ten books and several short stories. I’m an awardee of the Burt Award for African writing and was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize 2015 and Queen Mary Wasafiri Writing Prize – Life writing category, 2019.

How long have you been an artist ?

Seventeen years as a creative writer. My first manuscript, was shortlisted for Macmillan Writers prize 2003 and published in 2010.

Why did you apply for this grant ? How will the grant support you ?

The grant will allow me to create art for a time without having to worry about finances especially now that I have lost the royalties that I get from my books. I will also be able to give a stipend to a person with production experience to provide technical advice.

What are your concrete artistic objectives after this residency ?

I aim to incorporate variety of media in creative writing so that I will be able to reach people who may have challanges such as those who are visually impaired.