Deadline: 30 September 2022
Apply now for the Africa Union Writing Residency Programme 2022 !
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the founding of the African Union (AU), the African Union Commission, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Africa No Filter and the Library Of Africa and The African Diaspora (LOATAD), are hosting a residency programme for established writers from across Africa to produce a piece of work that celebrates the unity and potential of the African continent.
Writing to the theme “Our Africa, Our Future,” they are inviting five writers to interpret the theme in a broad and expansive way across a selected genre, including fiction, narrative non-fiction and poetry. The work will be published in an e-book anthology to be released in early 2023.
The Africa Union Writing Residency Programme 2022 will take the form of a hybrid programme, with two online meetings in October/November 2022 and a two-week physical residency at the Library Of Africa and The African Diaspora (LOATAD) in Accra, Ghana from 14 to 28 November 2022. The residency will culminate in a public event in Accra to showcase and discuss the written work.
Join us on Telegram as well as Whatsapp for more opportunity updates.
Requirement
What is expected of the Writers?
- Be willing to commit to the entirety of the residency programme i.e. both digital (31 October – 7 November) and physical (14-28 November) sessions.
- Produce a piece of writing between 5,000 and 7,000 words (or five poems for poets) on the theme “Our Africa, Our Future” for publication in the e-book anthology.
- Prepare a 500-word summary to promote the piece(s), for inclusion in the African Union’s flagship magazine, the AU ECHO.
- Participate in the public event at the end of the residency, photography and videography of the creation process, and any publicity that may arise from the programme.
Benefits
- All travel costs to, from and within Ghana.
- Accommodation and board at LOATAD in Ghana.
- Access to the library’s extensive resources.
- A stipend of US$1,000.
- Trips to relevant places of interest while in Ghana.
- Meetings with key people in the Ghanaian/African literary space.
Eligibility
- Established writers of fiction, narrative nonfiction, and poetry who have had at least one book/chapbook published by a reputable publisher, or pending publication/under contract (not including self-published work) or who have substantial publication credits in literary journals/magazines/newspapers, etc.
- Writers can write their pieces in either French or English and must be able to communicate in English.
- Writers must be both nationals of, and resident in, any African country.
- Writers must own a valid passport and be willing to travel to Ghana to participate in the physical residency.
Application
Complete this form attaching the following documents:
- A one-page cover letter explaining why you want to participate in this AU-themed residency and what you hope to gain from the experience.
- Your writers CV (3 pages maximum) with contact details for two referees.
- A writing sample of no more than 2,000 words in your preferred genre.
- A copy of the ID page of your passport.
Visit AU20 for further information
