Africa Women Writers Residency / How to Apply
Africa Women Writers Residency 2026 Opens for Emerging African Women Storytellers
Emerging women writers across Africa now have an exciting opportunity to develop their craft, connect with mentors, and gain international visibility through the newly launched Africa Women Writers Residency 2026.
Organized by Majesty Publishing House Africa, this fully funded residency is designed to support talented women writers from Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria, and South Africa who do not currently have literary representation. The four-week programme will culminate in the publication of participants’ work in a landmark anthology titled New African Voices: Stories That Shape Africa’s Future.
What the Africa Women Writers Residency Offers
The residency will run in September 2026 and accommodate twelve selected writers. Participants will engage in three weeks of virtual workshops, mentorship sessions, and guest lectures led by established African authors before attending a fully funded one-week in-person residency in Nairobi, Kenya.
Majesty Publishing House Africa will cover all travel, accommodation, meals, local transportation, and cultural activities.
Who Can Apply?
The residency welcomes emerging women writers from the five eligible countries who write fiction, fantasy, creative nonfiction, memoir, or poetry. Both published and unpublished writers are encouraged to apply, provided they do not have literary representation.
Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English and commit to the full duration of the programme.
Application Requirements for the Africa Women Writers Residency
Interested applicants should submit:
- A 250-word motivation letter introducing themselves and explaining their interest in the residency.
- A writing sample on the theme “A New Dawn for Africa”, consisting of either:
- An essay or short story of up to 1,000 words, or
- One poem of up to 1,000 words, or two poems totaling approximately 1,000 words.
Writers preparing their application materials may find these resources useful: How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? and How to Write a Short Author’s Bio: The Dos and Don’ts of Introducing Yourself.
Why the Residency Matters
The residency seeks to address the challenges many African women writers face in accessing mentorship, publishing opportunities, and literary networks. Through intensive training and publication opportunities, participants will gain valuable tools to strengthen their careers and amplify authentic African narratives.
According to Majesty Publishing House Africa, the programme is an investment in the future of African storytelling, creating pathways for emerging voices to reach wider audiences both on the continent and globally.
Deadline
Applications close on 22 June 2026.
Writers interested in participating should submit their materials to residency@
