First Chapter: ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship
The ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship is the first ever global standard writers’ fellowship in the region for aspiring locally-based fiction writers, giving unprecedented access to renowned authors, literary agents, and publishers across the world.
Over the course of one year fellows will learn how to craft a novel from best-selling authors and industry experts and take part in one-to-one mentorship sessions and workshops that will nurture and develop their writing skills. They will also meet with editors and agents to give their manuscript the boost it needs to reach an international audience, as well as connect with fellow writers to receive the support their careers deserve.
2023 Winners
The inaugural class of the 2023-2024 fellowship cycle are:
- Aine O’Connor chosen by Ali Sparkes
- Aneesha Rai chosen by Tiffany Murray
- Avril Erskine and Stacey Siebritz chosen by Greg Mosse
- Magdalena Karolak chosen by Elnathan John
- Neha Vinod Menon chosen by Yrsa Siggurdottir
- Reem Hameed chosen by Greg Mosse
- Saba Brelvi chosen by Will Eaves
- Sangeetha Sagar chosen by Alwyn Hamilton
- Alaa Masrati chosen by Shahad Al Rawi
- Fatima Ali chosen by Jalal Bargas
- Husam Hilali of St. George chosen by Haji Jabir
2022 Winners
The inaugural class of the 2022-2023 fellowship cycle are:
- Moxie Anderson chosen by Mark Billingham
- Sara Hamdan chosen by Yrsa Siggurdottir
- Yi-Hwa Hanna chosen by Patrick Gale
- Mustafa Alrawi chosen by Ali Sparkes
- Zana Bonafe chosen by Shobhaa De
- Reem Hameed chosen by Greg Mosse
- Kate Tindle chosen by Annabel Kantaria
- Huda Al Rawajfa chosen by Shahad Al Rawi
- Mona Al Ali chosen by Taleb Al Refai
- Sara Al Abdullah chosen by Najwa Bin Shatwan
