Open Call for Nanjing International Writers’ Residencies 2024
Posted: Wednesday Sep 11, 2024
Applications close Monday 30 September 2024
The Programme
Nanjing is offering 6 residencies in 2024 to writers, poets and translators from all UNESCO Cities of Literature.
Nanjing International Writers Residency means to bridge the city’s literary community with its international counterparts. This yearly program was initiated in 2019. It has hosted 30 writers, poets and translators from the subnetwork.
Nanjing boasts a literary tradition of over 1800 years. The city served as China’s capital for about 400 years across six dynasties. Its heritages left from those dynasties and its diversified culture today have all contributed to its role as a “most luring destination” for inbound travelers to China. It has made much difference in modern Chinese literature, a possible unexplored treasure house for international writers.
The Theme
The theme for 2024 program is “Life is Better with Literature”. Literature is born from daily life, giving us unlimited imagination, and at the same time, under the guidance of literature, we learn to experience life with a broader perspective of the world and more delicate emotions. With the 2024 program, we would like to invite six writers to deeply experience the life in the historical city of Nanjing. This may include the literary events, reading clubs, cultural adventures, city walks, random encounters and meetings etc., simply to probe into diversified aspects of Nanjingers’ life today.
With “Life is Better with Literature” as the theme for 2024, we hope that the daily life in Nanjing will become an inspiration for literary creation, and that literature will ultimately light up the brilliant sparks of our lives.
The Timing
Open call for applications: from Friday 6 September till Monday 30 September
The final decision will be announced on Thursday 10 October
The residency: from Wednesday 30 October till Friday 15 November
What We Offer
2-week in-person residency in Nanjing City of Literature;
Tours to culture landmarks and literary places in Nanjing;
A selection of local literary activities;
Dialogue with Nanjing writers, poets, translators, literary organizations, and students;
The flight tickets, food, accommodation and local transport will be provided;
And stipend of 1200 USD for each writer-in-residency.
What We Expect
Selected participants are supposed to
Be connected to a UNESCO City of Literature (either a resident or one who works or studies in that city, or has other connections with that city as recognized in writing by a UNESCO City of Literature office)
Have at least three-year experience in writing, or at least one published work ( book in print, all genres acceptable), or have received awards that are recognized by your local literary communities.
Be willing to interact with Nanjing’s literary communities, emerging and established writers; as well as to partake in local literary activities;
Write a piece of work in English (no less than 1000 words, or 50 lines for poetry) that is inspired by the residency, or translate Chinese stories, poems or prose into English; (All the virtual writers will retain the copyrights of their works. Please understand the works might be used for promotional purpose by Nanjing Literature Center)
Be fluent in spoken English, or Chinese;
Documents for application
All applicants are supposed to submit
An CV with a passport photo and a life size photo;
Extracts from his/her published works;
Proof in writing of his/her connection with a City of Literature, when applicable.
Please send all the required materials to the following contacts prior to Monday 30 September.
Contacts
Danni Yang
Project Manager
2308123125@qq.com