The Finch Manuscript Lab is a 2.5-month residency to support writers and artists completing book-length manuscripts. It takes place at the Finch Country House in Serramezzana, Italy, along the Cilento coast south of Naples and Salerno. The residency is designed as the ‘final sprint’ in the marathon of writing a book.
It offers free living and work space, a stipend and travel allowance, writing time in a tranquil setting, creative community, and professional development (including manuscript consultations, craft discussions, and publishing seminars).
The residency dates are from 1 October to 15 December 2026.
The residency blends self-directed freedom and solo writing time with communal dinners, craft discussions, and one-on-one mentorship to help writers complete their manuscript. Mentors were chosen for their exceptional experience across literary creation, editing, translation, and the international publishing industry. Mentors include former editors at Penguin Random House and FSG, award-winning authors, and more.
In order to be eligible for funding, applicants must be over 18 years old and be a resident of one of the Cultural Moves Europe countries other than Italy.
Thanks to the support of the Goethe Institute and Culture Moves Europe, all selected residents will receive a stipend of 2,280 EUR for the residency period, and a travel allowance of 400 EUR for travel of distances under 5000 km from Serramezzana, Italy, or 800 EUR for travel of distances over 5000 km. Additional funds are also given for using green travel (eg. trains instead of planes), and to support residents who are parents or caretakers of dependent family members.
