Sitting at your desk, typing your thoughts away to write a novel but unable to write properly? Then you need to look at writing residencies in India, that will help you work better, provide an opportunity to showcase your work and also give you an opportunity to write under a mentor. These residencies will not only improve your focus by providing a peaceful environment, but also make the writing process easier to navigate. If you are a writer in India who is working on their first novel or the tenth, you should definitely consider applying for these writer residency programmes. Don’t know where to start? Well, The Bombay Circle Press is here with their list of recommendations.
Boathouse invites writers to apply for a four-week 2025 residency curated and mentored by eminent writer Esther David. Selected by a jury led by David, residents will have the time and space to focus on their work while experiencing the beauty of the Boathouse and the UNESCO World Heritage city of Ahmedabad. The full fellowship covers accommodation, a private workspace, and three fixed Indian vegetarian meals daily at no cost, though writers must pay for their own travel and personal expenses. Each resident receives an individual room with an attached bath and terrace, as well as access to the library, conference room, and multiple inspiring writing spaces. The program includes two mentoring sessions with Esther David, a visit to Ahmedabad’s old city, curatorial support, and opportunities to engage with fellow writers and artists. While talks and workshops are optional, participation in community activities is expected. Partners may accompany writers for an additional fee.
Sangam House, India’s oldest writers’ residency, embodies the idea of confluence—where diverse literary traditions meet, much like the historic gatherings of Tamil poets between 100 BCE and 300 CE. Founded by DW Gibson and Arshia Sattar, it offers writers a serene space to focus on their work while building meaningful personal and professional connections. Residents share nightly dinners to encourage conversation and community, and informal reading sessions allow fellows to exchange feedback. Located at The Jamun—a calm, sun-filled bungalow complex designed by Dominic Dube—Sangam House provides quiet rooms with balconies and easy access to Bangalore’s vibrant cultural scene. With six writers in residence at a time, participants engage with peers from India and around the world.
The Himalayan Writing Retreat offers an Emerging Writers Residency from July 6 to July 27, 2025, giving emerging South Asian writers—working in fiction, non-fiction, or children’s literature—a chance to live, learn, and write inspired by the Himalayas. Selected writers (maximum five to ten) receive free accommodation, meals, and learning, though travel costs are borne by them. The first three days focus on craft workshops led by co-founder Chetan Mahajan, followed by 18 days of mostly unscheduled writing time interspersed with sessions with editors, literary agents, and other experts. Quiet writing periods are observed twice daily, and there are also open-mic evenings and post-residency virtual meetups.
After working on your manuscript at the writer residency programme, comes the journey of publishing your work. If you want to know more about publishing, head on to The Bombay Circle Press’ bulletin!