Upcoming Opportunities
International Granada Writers in Residence Programme.
Granada UNESCO City of Literature, part of the Arts Department of the Granada City Council, in collaboration with the University of Granada, through its Vice-Rectorates for University Extension, Heritage and Institutional Relations; Internationalisation; and Social Responsibility, Equality and Inclusion, is pleased to announce a new edition of its International Writers in Residence Programme in Granada. The programme was established with the overarching aim of strengthening international cooperation in the cultural sector in general, and in literary creation in particular.
The International Granada Writers in Residence Programme 2026 is open to writers residing in any country and writing in any language. Applicants must have published at least two individually authored books. Contributions to anthologies or collective volumes will not be considered. Eligible genres include novels, essays, poetry, drama and hybrid literary forms. Self-published works are not eligible, and chapbooks (plaquettes) will not be counted as books.
Completed applications must be submitted electronically to Granada UNESCO City of Literature by 6 September 2026
More information at: https://granadaciudaddeliteratura.com/en/international-granada-writers-in-residence-programme-2026/
The Odesa UNESCO City of Literature Office, in partnership with Ukrainian Cosmopolis, invites applications for the Odesa Polyglot Literary Residency 2026.
Writers from UNESCO Cities of Literature are invited to spend up to one month in Odesa this autumn. Ukraine’s magnificent Black Sea port and one of Europe’s most distinctive literary cities, Odesa is known for its wit, irreverence, and enduring culture of writing, publishing, translation, and public conversation.
Residents will receive accommodation, travel support, insurance, a stipend, and opportunities to engage with Odesa’s literary community.
Application deadline: 20 July 2026
With the support of the Reykjavík UNESCO City of Literature Office.
https://cosmopolis.com.ua/
Questions:
odesacityofliterature@gmail.
Call for applications for the Prague – UNESCO City of Literature 2027 creative two-month residency program
Do you have a breathtaking project you would like to work on during your residency in Prague? Prague City of Literature offers a opportunity to writers and translators to live and work in the beautiful city centre where historical architecture meets modern and vibrant city life.
This call goes for eight two-month residencies in 2027 which will be held in:
- January – February
- March – April
- May – June
- July – August
- September – October
- November – December
General terms and conditions and FAQ can be found here.
The call for applications closes August 7, 2026, 11.59 pm CET. The results will be announced before October 31, 2026.
Melbourne City of Literature Virtual Writers in Residence 2026
To all writers from our sister UNESCO Cities of Literature – we are inviting you to put yourself forward to be one of our virtual writers in residence in November this year.
From poets to playwrights, this is an opportunity to get to know Melbourne’s vibrant and varied literary community up close by spending November working with one of the many organisations that make us a City of Literature:
Below is the list of hosts that we have and the simple point of inspiration they are looking for!
- 100 Story Building are looking for a writer who is excited by collaboration and working with young people.
- Artisans of Australia is seeking a writer excited to explore new interdisciplinary creative pathways within our artist-run community.
- Kickstart Arts is seeking a writer interested in the healing and/or reclamation possibilities of storytelling to share their knowledge and skills with our community.
- Melbourne Writers’ Theatre is looking for an experienced playwright to share their knowledge, their culture, and perhaps their latest play or script-in-progress with our community of enthusiastic playwrights.
- Moorabool Libraries seek a writer who is passionate about short stories, who can engage, inspire and guide writers of all ages, to foster a vibrant literary community in Moorabool.
- Neighbourhood Collective Australia is looking for a writer who is interested in writing about community, place making, stories and belonging.
- The Society of Women Writers Victoria is seeking a female writer to explore writing women’s stories in varying short forms.
- The Society of Women Writers Victoria is seeking a female writer to encourage our members to explore different short forms of writing.
- The Little Bookroom is seeking an author or illustrator to create connections with our readers and inspire them to undertake their own creative projects.
- The Victorian Pride Centre is looking for a writer drawn to queer identity, community, and place.
The residency will also include opportunities for meetings with all the writers in residence and facilitated further connections with Melbourne as a City of Literature
As one of our virtual writers in residence you will be paid $1500(AUD) and you will retain all copyright for your work.
To be eligible you need to be a writer and resident presently in one of the UNESCO Cities of Literature
DEADLINE is Midnight Monday 17th of August 2026
Visit https://cityofliterature.com.au/virtual-writer-in-residence-2026/ to apply
Scribner Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, is pleased to announce the launch of the fifth BOOKS LIKE US First Novel Contest. The aim of the contest is to facilitate access to the publishing process for writers from underrepresented groups, and to celebrate the diversity of readers across the United States. As the nation strives for progress, Scribner Books and Simon & Schuster aim to help catalyze that change by amplifying voices that represent us, by publishing books like us.
The BOOKS LIKE US First Novel Contest is rotated among Simon & Schuster’s other adult imprints. Previous contests have been administered by the Atria Books, Gallery Books, Simon & Schuster, and Avid Reader Press imprints.
We are seeking original adult fiction from unagented writers whose stories reflect the richness and diversity of today’s readers. Interested writers should send the first 25 pages of their adult novel for a chance to have their work considered by the Scribner team.
Entries open at 12:00 AM ET on July 8, 2026, and close when either 500 eligible submissions have been received or at 11:59:59 PM ET on July 14, 2026, whichever occurs first.
No purchase necessary. U.S. only. 18+. See full details and official rules: https://www.simonandschuster.
Ongoing Opportunities
Barcelona
Faber, Residència d’Arts, Ciències i Humanitats de Catalunya a Olot
Faber offers working stays and exchanges for creative people, researchers and professionals in different areas, for scientists, writers, researchers, writers, artists, humanists, musicians, etc. Our residents have the best working conditions and an environment to accompany their projects. In Faber, there are eight spacious rooms, designed to provide comfortable working conditions. There are also several common areas where the residents will be able to exchange their experiences with each other, with the public and with institutions. The Residency is a space open to people from all over the world. Faber will take care of the residents’ stay, providing accommodation, half-board (breakfast and dinner) and a fully-equipped kitchen in case the residents would like to prepare their own lunch. Faber does not cover any travel costs. There is no per diem.
The Faber Residency is open to all disciplines related to arts, sciences, and humanities. It is offered six times per year, for four-week periods. Faber organizes several thematic residencies throughout the year where professionals from the Arts, Sciences or Humanities can come to spend a few days working on their projects and sharing experiences with the rest of the residents. During the stay, the residents collaborate in activities directed to students, professionals or public in general; activities in accordance with a project that will take into account previous demands and needs. Check the website for dates.
Organized by Ajuntament d’Olot (Olot City Hall) and Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government)
Jiwar Creació i Societat
Jiwar has a special interest in receiving non-occidental writers and artists, as well as artists in danger or requesting political asylum because of dangerous situations in their countries of origin. Live and work in a comfortable space. Artists need to provide their own economical resources or grants, which Jiwar can help to obtain by writing letters of support or welcoming. During the stay of the artist, Jiwar offers to accompany the creative process and is able to organize once a month presentation of the work in progress. No meals or per diem are included.
Organized by Mireia Estrada Gelabert
Reykjavik
The Writers’ Residence in Gunnarshús
Open to visiting writers or translators, this program offers a flat in Gunnarshús – the Writers’ House in Reykjavík rented for a minimal fee, for a period of 1-8 weeks.
Organized by Writers’ Union of Iceland
The Writers Residence in Gröndalshús
Gröndalshús is the charming former home of writer, illustrator and scholar Benedikt Gröndal (1826-1907). This writer’s home in the heart of the old town in Reykjavík has been renovated and opened as a cultural house and residency in 2017, run by the Reykjavík City of Literature.
The ground floor houses a residency flat for visiting writers, artists, scholars and translators of Icelandic literature who want to work in Reykjavik. It can be rented for a period of 2 – 8 weeks. The fee is 42.000 ISK pr. week which is well under the market prize of lodging in Reykjavík. The flat is fully furnished, with free wifi and is situated in the heart of the city within walking distance from all major cultural institutions, restaurants and other attractions. An additional charge of ISK 3.500 pr. week is charged for each additional guest.
For availability and further information, please write to bokmenntaborgin@reykjavik.is.
Iceland Writers Retreat
The Iceland Writers Retreat is an annual opportunity for writers to participate in a series of workshops and panels led by an esteemed team of international writers. Between intimate workshops and lectures they’ll offer the chance to tour the spectacular Golden Circle, sit in the cozy cafes of Reykjavik, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition. Dedicated blocks of time throughout the retreat allow participants to focus on their writing.
Dunedin
The Robert Burns Fellowship
The Fellowship provides an office in the English Department and not less than the minimum salary of a full-time university lecturer, for one year. It is open to writers of poetry, drama, fiction, biography, autobiography, essays or literary criticism who are normally resident in New Zealand, and who, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, have established by their published work, or otherwise, that their writing would benefit from their holding the Fellowship.
Application open March-June
Organized by Division of Humanities, University of Otago
The University of Otago College of Education/Creative New Zealand Children’s Writer in Residence
Remuneration of $28,000 is jointly funded by the University and Creative New Zealand and includes an office in the College. The 6-month residency is offered in association with the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust which provides rent-free accommodation to writers in the historic Titan Street cottage bequeathed by the late playwright Robert Lord. The Residency is open to established children’s writers who are normally resident in New Zealand.
Organized by Division of Humanities, University of Otago
The University Book Shop and Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust Summer Writer in Residence
The Residency is offered in association with the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust which provides rent-free accommodation to writers in the historic Titan Street cottage bequeathed by the late playwright Robert Lord. The 6-week residency offers a stipend, and an office and administration base at the University Book Shop. The recipient will be an emerging writer in any genre who, in the opinion of the University Book Shop Summer Writer in Residence Advisory Group, has established, by their published work or otherwise, that their writing would benefit from the Residency.
Organized by The University Book Shop and Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage Trust
The Caselberg Trust Creative Connections Residency
The Caselberg Trust, Dunedin, New Zealand, invites writers, composers, visual and performing artists to complete their creative projects in a harbourside cottage, situated on the Otago Peninsula, a well known haven of creativity and inspiration for many artists. Residencies can be funded or self-funded/sponsored.
The Caselberg Trust’s ‘Creative Connections’ Residency support projects that reach out and make links across a variety of creative media, professional disciplines, and communities relevant to the planned project. Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability to engage in a creative project and processes, to collaborate effectively with creative media, and with communities relevant to their identified project. The residency is 3 months.
Organized by The Caselberg Trust
Krakow
Visegrad Fund
The Fund is an international donor organization, established in 2000 by the governments of the Visegrad Group countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia to promote regional cooperation in the Visegrad region (V4) as well as between the V4 region and other countries, especially in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership regions. The Fund does so by awarding €8 million through grants, scholarships and artist residencies provided annually by equal contributions of all the V4 countries. Other donor countries (Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States) have provided another €10 million through various grant schemes run by the Fund since 2012.
Edinburgh
Fellowships Programme for International Visitors
The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH) was established in 1969 to promote interdisciplinary research in the arts, humanities and social sciences. It provides an international, interdisciplinary and autonomous space for discussion and debate. Since its foundation more than 1000 scholars from 66 countries have held Institute fellowships; and up to 28 Fellows are in residence at any one time. Housed in a secluded 18th-century courtyard overlooking the Meadows, the Institute is adjacent to most centres of University activity.
Organized by The University of Edinburgh’s Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH)
Obidos
Obidos Literary Residency Program
The Obidos Literary Residency Program allows each author to stay between two weeks and up to two months. The Municipality provides a space for accommodation and the creation of the candidate project. The involvement of the author-resident in the community is increased, although the main objective of his/her stay is writing.
The objective is to welcome authors from all over the world, allowing them to immerse themselves in an environment of refuge, suitable for relaxing and creating works, as well as contact, in a privileged way, with Óbidos, its history, and identity. Proposals will be selected according to their cultural interest, consistency with the candidate’s path, and feasibility of the project. Applications are accepted all year.
