Deadline: 29 June 2012
The M Literary Residency Program has been established to disseminate a broader knowledge of contemporary life and writing in India and China today and to foster deeper intellectual, cultural and artistic links across individuals and communities. Applicants are invited to apply for one of two M Literary Residencies:
Bangalore, India: A three-month residency in a rural setting near Bangalore, South India from late 2013 to early 2014.
Shanghai, China: A three-month residency in Shanghai. The residency must be taken up before March 1st, 2014.
Applications must be received by Friday, 29 June 2012. The results will be announced on Monday, 29 October, 2012.
GUIDELINES
The M Literary Residency Programme has been established to disseminate a broader knowledge of contemporary life and writing in India and China today and to foster deeper intellectual, cultural and artistic links across individuals and communities. The intent of the residency is to provide space and time primarily for writing and location-specific research. It is not to be used as base for travel in order to undertake research further afield.
WRITERS MAY APPLY FOR ONE OF TWO M LITERARY RESIDENCIES:
BANGALORE, INDIA
A three-month residency in a rural setting near Bangalore, South India from late 2013 to early 2014. The successful applicant will have his/her transportation costs to and from Bangalore covered by the M Residency. Accommodation (a single room) and three meals a day will be provided.
SHANGHAI, CHINA
A three-month residency in Shanghai. The residency must be taken up before March 1st, 2014. The successful applicant will have his/her transportation costs to and from Shanghai covered by the M Residency. Accommodation (a studio-style apartment) and a stipend towards the cost of meals will be provided.
STIPEND
Both successful applicants will receive a total sum of US$1,000 to cover additional living costs during their stay in India or China.
HOW TO APPLY
All applicants are required to submit the following information and supporting materials:
1. A completed M Residency application form.
2. A synopsis and statement of intent totaling no more than 1,500 words detailing the project that you intend to work on during the residency. Applications will be accepted in the following genres only: fiction, nonfiction, poetry or dramatic prose.
Note:
• Statement of intent: this should detail how and why the location will benefit your project, and how the residency itself will be of benefit to you.
• The intent of the residency is to provide space and time primarily for writing and location-specific research and not as a base for travel to undertake research further afield.
• In the interest of fairness, your name must not appear on the synopsis and statement of intent.
3. Two samples of your work in the genre of your chosen project for the residency. Short stories, essays, novel extracts, drama and poetry are all welcome. The total word count of the two pieces combined should not exceed 2,500 words.
Note:
• Applications that do not include support material in the genre of the nominated project will be at a disadvantage.
• If poetry samples are less than 30 lines long, they can be grouped with 1-2 other poems to form one sample. The total line count of the poetry group should not exceed 100 lines or the word count.
• Applicants may be asked to submit additional samples of their work.
• In the interest of fairness, your name must not appear on the samples of work.
4. One of the following proofs of identification: copy of passport, driving licence or ID card.
5. Two referees, including their contact details, to whom the residency administrator may write to. The referee does not need to work in a literary capacity but needs to know the candidate well.
PLEASE NOTE
• Please send applications by email only to the Administrator at mliteraryresidency@m-restaurantgroup.com. We will notify you immediately on receipt of your application.
• Applications must be received by Friday, 29 June 2012. Applications received after this date will not be considered.
• Applicants must cover their own travel and medical insurance.
CONDITIONS OF ENTRY
• Participation in two (2) events:
The M Literary Residency aims to encourage interaction between talented artists and local communities, and to foster an interest in the arts within the local communities of the host countries. It is therefore a condition of entry that the successful candidate must agree to participate in at least two events within the local community during their stay. This could be a talk or workshop at a school, college or bookshop. Details will be worked out between the fellow and M Residency staff. All expenses will be met by the M Literary Residency.
• Remaining in Residence
It is expected that fellows will remain in residence throughout the threemonth fellowship. Fellows must notify M Residency staff at the earliest opportunity if they expect to have to leave the residency for a period of more than one week.
• Dates / Length of Residency
• India: 10-12 weeks, commencing late 2013
• China: 12 weeks and must be taken up before March 1st, 2014.
• It is a condition of entry that applicants agree to these terms by marking the relevant box on the application form.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• It is NOT a condition of entry that the applicant must already be a published author. Unpublished writers are welcome to apply.
• There are no nationality restrictions for applications. However, applicants should be over 21 years old and be writing in English.
• Applications may only be submitted electronically.
• In the interest of fairness, applicants’ names must not appear on samples, synopses, or statements of intent.
• The residency judges and administrators will not enter into private correspondence with applicants nor will they be able to offer specific feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
• The accommodation provided in Bangalore and Shanghai is suitable only for single occupancy. We regret that we are unable to accommodate partners, family (or pets!)
• In the case of the Indian residency, accommodation may be isolated so applicants should be seeking a period of quiet, sustained work. The residency is not a base from which to travel from.
• In the case of the Shanghai residency, accommodation will be centrally located and in the thick of a noisy city. Whilst it is intended that the writer should be seeking a period of sustained work, it must be noted that this will probably not be happening in very quiet surroundings. The residency is not a base from which to travel from.
Download the M Literary Residency application form here >>
CONTACT INFORMATION:
For inquiries: mliteraryresidency@m-restaurantgroup.com
For submissions: mliteraryresidency@m-restaurantgroup.com
Website: http://www.m-restaurantgroup.com/capitalm/literary-festival.html