The 12 writers selected for the inaugural Jerwood Arvon Writer Residencies have been announced. Jerwood Foundation has supported this bespoke talent development programme through its award of a £40,000 grant, which will give 12 emerging writers the opportunity to bring a project to completion, whether this is the complete first draft of a novel or non-fiction work or stage play; a story or essay collection; a poetry pamphlet or collection.
The writers were chosen across four disciplines. In poetry, mentored by Leo Boix, the selected writers are Shakeema Edwards, Nida Sajid, and Niroshini Somasundaram. In fiction, mentored by Michael Donkor, the selected writers are Grey Marlow, Alison Powell, and Ronin Sansara. In non-fiction, mentored by Chitra Ramaswamy, the selected writers are Lavendhri Arumugam, Anna Hindocha, and declan wiffen. In playwriting, mentored by Amy Rosenthal, the selected writers are Sabrina Ali, Rae Bell, and Katie Marie Moore.
Over the course of an 18-month residency, running from spring 2026 to summer 2027, each writer will shape their own residency, selecting from a mix of Arvon’s residential and online courses to best support their creative process. Alongside this, they will receive quarterly one-to-one tutorials with a dedicated mentor, join online Arvon Masterclasses, and take part in industry advice sessions. The programme will culminate in an online showcase for literary agents, publishers, and other industry professionals.
For further information please visit Arvon.
April 16, 2026
