Nanjing is offering six residencies from 15 to 30 July 2025 to writers, poets and translators from all UNESCO Cities of Literature.
The theme for the 2025 residency is ‘Literary Masters and The City’. Some literary masters, like the great poet Li Bai, and the modern time master of novels and essays Lu Xun, have written great works while in Nanjing. They continue to inspire people with their legacies – this residency aims to provide writers with that same inspiration.
The resident must 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 recognised in writing by a UNESCO City of Literature office) and they must have at least three years of experience in writing, or at least one published work (book in print, all genres acceptable), or have received awards that are recognised by their local literary communities.
Residents must write a piece of work in English (no less than 1,000 words, or 50 lines for poetry) that is inspired by the residency, or translate Chinese stories, poems or prose into English.
The residency offers:
- 10-15 day in-person residency in Nanjing City of Literature
- Tours to culture landmarks and literary places in Nanjing
- A selection of local literary activities, reading clubs, cultural adventures, city walks, random encounters and meetings to experience Nanjing as a city
- Dialogue with Nanjing writers, poets, translators, literary organisations, and students
- The flight tickets, food, accommodation and local transport
- A stipend of 1,200 USD for each writer-in-residency
