literature writers residency

The Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature are pleased to offer the Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency. The aim of the residency is to provide international and Aotearoa New Zealand writers an opportunity to work on a substantial piece of creative writing and to foster connections among creative writers in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally.

There are no limits in terms of genre, language, or length of writing, and completion of the project during the residency is not a requirement. The residency is offered annually for a period of six weeks to writers from other UNESCO Cities of Literature and to Aotearoa New Zealand writers in alternating years. In 2023 the Residency is offered to a writer from another UNESCO City of Literature with at least one published work. It will run from 3 October – 14 November 2023.

All residents receive a stipend of NZ$4000 (~2300 EUR). In addition international residents will receive up to NZ$3000 (~1750 EUR) towards travel costs. Accommodation is provided rent-free at the Caselberg House for the six-week duration of the residency.

The international residency 2023 has been planned to coincide with the biennial Dunedin Writers & Readers Festival and the Festival Trust has generously made available to the resident a Festival Pass and green-room entry to all Festival events.

The Caselberg Trust Margaret Egan Cities of Literature Writers Residency is run jointly and collaboratively by the Caselberg Trust and Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature. Funding from the Caselberg Trust is provided through a generous bequest by the late Margaret Egan.