Men who love men and want to write about it are being presented with a unique oppportunity to develop their skills at a writers retreat near Takaka in July.

Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand (FAANZ) is seeking applications for a limited number of places for New Zealand’s first MSM (Men Scribbling Men) seven-day writing retreat, to be held at Autumn Farm, near Takaka, from 16 to 24 July 2011. Applicants must be men who identify as gay, bisexual, takataapui, fa’afafine, or otherwise beloning to the queer communities of Aotearoa New Zealand, Samoa, Tokelau, Niue or Cook Islands.

Mates and Lovers playwright Ronald Nelson says the retreat will be a unique opportunity to write, edit, polish, or finish an unpublished writing project in the peaceful surroundings of the South Island’s scenic Golden Bay.

One place will be considered for each of the following categories: Adult fiction (short story, novel), youth fiction (short story, novel), screenplays for film or television, and stage plays. All applications will be judged anonymously by published gay writers: novelist and historian Stevan Eldred-Grigg; playwrite and director Ronald Trifero Nelson; Christopher Banks of Number 8 Films; and short story author Steve Attwood.

Judges will make their selections based on samples of work and the applicant’s plan as to how they will use their time at the retreat. If no applications in any category meet the judges’ standards for promising work of excellence, placements will not be made. Those chosen to attend MSM will be announced on 12 June 2011.

Writers selected to participate in MSM will only have to pay for their own travel to Takaka. MSM, FAANZ and Autumn Farm and sponsors (Wellington’s S&M’s Cocktail and Lounge Bar) will provide single occupancy accommodation, meals, heating, power and internet for the retreat participants.

MSM applicants must be aged not less than 16 years; be a citizen or permanent resident of Aotearoa New Zealand, Samoa Tokelau, Niue or Cook Islands; be available for 16-24 July 2011; and be a man writing about gay/queer/homoerotic life. Applicants’ work for the retreat must not have been published in any form (including on-line) and (in the case of scripts) must not have been produced by either professional or amateur companies. Applications must be received by 5 June 2011.

For information on how to apply, and the criteria for selection, visit www.FAANZ.com