• Citizens of India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives living in their home countries for the duration of the mentorship (January to December 2023). We do not accept applications from South Asian citizens who live outside South Asia or who will be abroad during the period of the mentorship.
   

• Afghan writers are exempt from the residence clause and may be based anywhere in the world. 
   

• Applicants must be working on one of the following long-term projects:

  • a book of fiction

  • a book of non-fiction

  • a work in translation

  • a series of linked reported pieces

  • a poetry collection

The projects may include short stories, memoirs, travel narratives and more as long as they fit into the mentioned genres and are in English. 
 

• Writers who have published a book are ineligible, unless the work is no more than a chapter/essay in an anthology. Self-published authors are welcome.

• The mentorship is for people who haven't had the opportunity to workshop writing in a formal setting. If you have attended a creative writing degree or a journalism degree outside South Asia please do not apply. 
   

• There is no application fee and no hidden costs. The program is completely free.
   

• There is no age restriction.
   

• Applicants who applied last year but weren't successful are welcome to try again with an updated proposal.  
   

• Please send one proposal only.