Applications for Class of 2025 now closed
Eligibility
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Citizens of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives living in their home countries for the duration of the mentorship as well as Tibetan refugees based in South Asia. Afghan writers are exempt from the residence clause and may be based anywhere in the world. Please do not apply if you live outside your home country or plan to do so during the fellowship period. All applicants will need to show proof of citizenship and residence.
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Novelists and non-fiction writers including Partition applicants are required to have an active project in progress. Poets, translators, reporters, and applicants for Beyond Ability may apply with just a proposal, but all applicants must submit a writing sample. Please note that book proposals, theses, or PhD proposals/theses are not accepted as writing samples.
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There is no age restriction. The program is free. It includes six one-on-one mentorship sessions, a roster of masterclasses, workshops on craft, and access to a generous and motivated community of fellows and alumni. The mentorship is held online via Zoom.​
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Applicants may apply in one of the following areas:
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Fiction
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Non-fiction/Reportage
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Translation: Any language
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Poetry
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Partition
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Beyond Ability: A mentorship for writers who identify as a person with a disability. The disability can be locomotor, visual, hearing, psychosocial or neurological in nature. Writers with learning disabilities are welcome as are writers with chronic illnesses and rare diseases that might not fall under the purview of 'disability' in their respective countries. Disabled writers who come from the intersections of marginalized caste, class and gender identities are encouraged to apply. The mentorship will be conducted online by poet and author Abhishek Anicca.
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Exclusions
South Asia Speaks was created to support emerging writers of exceptional talent.
The following guidelines were created to make our program more equitable, diverse and inclusive. They do not, therefore, apply to writers from communities that are inadequately represented in publishing. If you believe that the exception applies to you, please say so in your application form.
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Writers who have already published a book may not apply unless they are self-published.
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Writers who have signed a publishing contract or are in the process of doing so should not apply.
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We prioritise writers who have not attended a creative writing or journalism program outside South Asia. However, if you have attended such a program, and especially if you have benefitted from financial aid or a scholarship during your studies, we encourage you to apply and make a case for how a South Asia Speaks mentorship can support your writing project.
Frequently asked questions
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What criteria are used to evaluate applications?Applications are evaluated on the writing sample's quality, the project description's clarity and feasibility, the applicant's motivation, professionalism, community engagement, and overall potential to contribute to the South Asia Speaks community.
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What genres do you accept?We accept submissions in Fiction, Nonfiction and Reportage, Poetry, Beyond Ability, Partition and Translation.
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What happens after I submit my application?If shortlisted, you will be contacted for a Zoom interview. Successful candidates will be notified in January 2025.
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Can I submit more than one writing sample?Please submit only one writing sample per application, reflecting the genre you're applying in.
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What should be included in the project description?Provide a detailed overview of the work you intend to pursue as a South Asia Speaks Fellow. Include a month-by-month timeline from January to December 2025 and outline three milestones you aim to achieve by the fellowship's end.
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Will I be notified if my application is unsuccessful?We only contact candidates who have been selected to move forward in the process. If you do not hear from us, it means that your application has not been successful. We kindly ask for your understanding and request that you refrain from inquiring about the status of your application.
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How do I submit my application?Submit your completed application form and all required documents via the submission portal by September 30, 2024.
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Who reviews my application?All applications will be reviewed by an anonymous expert, the team of mentors, and the program director. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview over Zoom. The interview is mandatory.
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Will I receive a confirmation after submitting my application?Yes, a confirmation email will be sent once your application is successfully submitted.
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Who can provide a reference for my application?We are seeking a professional assessment from people who are able to discuss your writing, list your experience and skills, and discuss your ability to work in a community. Professional references include but are not limited to coworkers, editors, teachers and professors. Please note that we cannot accept references from family and friends.
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What is the application deadline?All applications must be submitted by September 30, 2024.
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Is there an application fee?Yes, starting in 2025, a $10.00 fee is required. Fee waivers are available upon request. To request a waiver, email saspeaksintern@gmail.com before submitting your application. Please note that it takes upto a week to process a fee waiver.
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Can I apply if I’m enrolled in a PhD program or have a book contract?No, applications from current PhD students, those with a book contract, or those starting a creative writing or academic program during the fellowship year are not accepted. If you’re applying for a degree or fellowship outside South Asia for 2025-2026, include details in your application.
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What are the mandatory application requirements?a. Complete all questions in the application form. b. Submit a 5,000-word writing sample. Submit a writing sample in the same genre as your proposed project and from only one genre. Work-in-progress from your proposed project is strongly recommended. If you have a prior body of work and are proposing a project in its infancy, we recommend submitting a sample from a recently completed work. Book proposals do not qualify as a writing sample. Work samples must be in English and completed within the last four years. c. Provide the name and email address of one reference (we will only contact them if you progress to the next stage).
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What should my writing sample include?Your writing sample should be 5,000 words in manuscript format, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. We prefer to read an excerpt from the project for which you are seeking mentorship. Poets should submit 10 poems in a single PDF document (no need to double-space). Translators should include both the original text and the English translation.
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What are the responsibilities of a South Asia Speaks Fellow?Fellows are expected to actively engage with their South Asia Speaks mentor, meet agreed-upon milestones, attend all workshops and masterclasses, and fulfill all contract-bound obligations throughout the fellowship year.
If you have a question that hasn't been answered on this page please contact saspeaksintern@gmail.com