Applying to a café to be a writer in residence

Here is a letter to café owners / managers I have found quite effective. Do adapt as appropriate:

Dear

I would love to come and spend a day at your café as a Writer in Residence.

OUT A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF HERE 

The Creative Café Project which includes the publication of an e-zine and anthology CafeLit-  short stories to read while you enjoy a brew. Each story is linked to a particular drink.   

The Creative Café Project is all about finding cafes like yours that support the arts and provide a space where creative practitioners and their audiences can be in touch. 

During my day I would:

·         Occupy one of your tables for most of your opening hours

·         Buy three snacks / meals

o   Breakfast / mid-morning snack

o   Lunch

o   Afternoon snack

·          Sell some of my books – they could go through your till at rrp or a little less and I can invoice you back after the visit at 35% discount. Win win? Or I can sell directly or not at all if it is awkward.  (I’ll bring postcards anyway)     

·         Sit and write

·         Offer one-to-one critique or advice about writing / publishing sessions – this will bring you some more customers as part of the deal is that writers get a free critique only if they purchase something from the café.   

·         Collect stories for a possible Horsnea anthology

·         Invite customers to write bursts of flash fiction. Leaflets on the tables will offer this to people and prompt them through the process – they can deposit their efforts with me if they are brave enough

Before the event I would:

o   Advertise via social media

o   Design leaflets that can be printed and displayed on line

After the event I would:

o   Write a review of your café.  I only ever give good reviews because if I can’t give a good review I don’t review. However, to date, I’ve never had cause not to review! 

o   Pull together stories and examples of flash fiction and see if we have enough to work on an anthology or whether we might work further on this.

o   Arrange another similar event if we felt that this one was successful       

   

What I need you to do:

o   Agree to me coming and allow me my table for the day

o   Consider whether you’re happy for me to sell any of my books or not

o   Let people know I’m coming

Note the Creative Café Project never charges cafés or creative practitioners for being involved and both may be as involved as much or a little as they like.    

Is this of interest to you?

I’d love to come and work with you.