The Emirates Literature Foundation Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship First Chapter is now accepting applications from aspiring scribes in the UAE.
As the only global standard writing mentorship programme in the region, the fellowship will support 10 selected writers of fiction through a number of initiatives.
These include exclusive talks with acclaimed authors, introductions to international agents, editors and publishers, and a trip to New York for special sessions at the Gotham Writers' Workshop.
“Community is at the core of the fellowship as it brings writers who don't know each other together,” Isobel Abulhoul, chief executive and trustee of Emirates Literature Foundation tells The National.
“Over the course of their fellowship and time together, they build a professional and personal friendship.”
The programme, which is now entering its second year, will offer six hours of one-to-one coaching from top international authors.
They are Jordanian author Jalal Barjas, British writer, poet and professor Will Eaves, Canadian author Alwyn Hamilton, Eritrean novelist and journalist Haji Jaber, Nigerian novelist Elnathan John, Iraqi author and journalist Inaam Kachachi, playwright and producer Greg Mosse, British novelist and screenwriter Tiffany Murray, Icelandic crime writer Yrsa Sigurdardottir and British author Ali Sparkes.
“I'd encourage aspiring writers to apply for this fellowship because in our research and experience, this is one of the most extensive writers’ fellowships in the world,” says Ahlam Bolooki, festival director of the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
“We were so impressed with the level of entries we received in the first year. It was a difficult job for all the mentors to select the mentee that they would like to work with for the year. That was really promising for us as the organisers of the first chapter of the Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship.”
Serious scribes who write in either English or Arabic and have been working on a manuscript that’s ready to be refined, are encouraged to apply. All genres of adult fiction are considered, including Young Adult, but applicants must be aged 18 or older and have a good understanding of English to benefit from the workshops and guest talks.
Mona Al Ali, a writer selected for last year’s programme, says: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I would like all aspiring writers to apply to this fellowship.
“During our fellowship we were taught creative writing as well as the techniques of writing. We had many useful and fruitful sessions with international authors, whether it's in publishing or about their journey in writing.”
Sarah Abdullah, another writer from last year's selection, says: “The experience of the fellowship exceeded my expectations. We knew we would get the mentorship and the sessions, but what it gave us is a community of writers among the fellows, which was extremely important. This fellowship is the only reason I'm able to finish my novel.”
Aspiring writers can apply through an online form that requires a covering letter, a 400-word synopsis of their book and the first 2,000 words of the almost-completed manuscript, if one is in progress.
Applications close on November 25 and the new fellows will be announced at an event during next year's Emirates Airline Festival of Literature.
More information is at www.elfdubai.org
Pakistan squad
Sarfraz (c), Zaman, Imam, Masood, Azam, Malik, Asif, Sohail, Shadab, Nawaz, Ashraf, Hasan, Amir, Junaid, Shinwari and Afridi
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
Russia's Muslim Heartlands
Dominic Rubin, Oxford
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Results
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,600m; Winner: Nadhra, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer)
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Dars, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: AF Musannef, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: AF Taghzel, Malin Holmberg, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m; Winner: M’Y Yaromoon, Khalifa Al Neyadi, Jesus Rosales
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh100,000 (PA) 1,400m; Winner: Hakeem, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO
Ms Al Ameri likes the variety of her job, and the daily environmental challenges she is presented with.
Regular contact with wildlife is the most appealing part of her role at the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi.
She loves to explore new destinations and lives by her motto of being a voice in the world, and not an echo.
She is the youngest of three children, and has a brother and sister.
Her favourite book, Moby Dick by Herman Melville helped inspire her towards a career exploring the natural world.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
11 cabbie-recommended restaurants and dishes to try in Abu Dhabi
Iqbal Restaurant behind Wendy’s on Hamdan Street for the chicken karahi (Dh14)
Pathemari in Navy Gate for prawn biryani (from Dh12 to Dh35)
Abu Al Nasar near Abu Dhabi Mall, for biryani (from Dh12 to Dh20)
Bonna Annee at Navy Gate for Ethiopian food (the Bonna Annee special costs Dh42 and comes with a mix of six house stews – key wet, minchet abesh, kekel, meser be sega, tibs fir fir and shiro).
Al Habasha in Tanker Mai for Ethiopian food (tibs, a hearty stew with meat, is a popular dish; here it costs Dh36.75 for lamb and beef versions)
Himalayan Restaurant in Mussaffa for Nepalese (the momos and chowmein noodles are best-selling items, and go for between Dh14 and Dh20)
Makalu in Mussaffa for Nepalese (get the chicken curry or chicken fry for Dh11)
Al Shaheen Cafeteria near Guardian Towers for a quick morning bite, especially the egg sandwich in paratha (Dh3.50)
Pinky Food Restaurant in Tanker Mai for tilapia
Tasty Zone for Nepalese-style noodles (Dh15)
Ibrahimi for Pakistani food (a quarter chicken tikka with roti costs Dh16)
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
