HBKU Press Announces Third Annual Partnership with Art Omi to Sponsor Writer’s Residency for Arabic Writer
Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press, in partnership with Art Omi (New York), will once again sponsor one aspiring Arabic writer to participate in the HBKU Press & Art Omi: 2022 Writer’s Residency held in Ghent, New York. The call for submission begins on November 1 and runs until December 15 and writers working in any text-based discipline (fiction, poetry, non-fiction, theater, etc.), in either English or Arabic, are eligible for this unique opportunity
“HBKU Press is committed to serving the wider community by sponsoring opportunities like HBKU Press & Art Omi: 2022 Writer’s Residency program that allows for the exposure of local literary voices on a global stage. It reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is essential to both HBKU Press’s and Art Omi’s mission,” explains Bachar Chebaro, Executive Director of Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press. “The success and reach of the annual HBKU Press & Art Omi: Writer’s Residency program over the years has been overwhelming. Last year alone, the number of submissions nearly doubled with applicants hailing from Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Algeria and many other Gulf and MENA countries. We are looking forward to this year’s edition as another way to highlight Arabic writers and their work in a global context by supporting and promoting these literary talents from the region.”
The chosen writer will attend the month-long retreat for the opportunity to take time and space away from daily pressures to write and create at the Art Omi residences. Residents are encouraged to select one written piece to focus on during the residency. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal. Amidst the backdrop of 300 acres of rolling farmland with spectacular views of the Catskills and the Hudson River Valley, they will connect with other literary talents from all over the world as well as with international editors, publishers, and industry professionals who participate in the retreat as visiting experts, either virtually or in person.
HBKU Press’ chosen residents from the HBKU Press and Art Omi’s collaboration in the past, Layanne Malluhi (2021’s chosen resident) and Lilas Taha (2020’s chosen resident), recently completed their residency, enjoying much success. The hope is that their positive experiences can be repeated in this year’s edition.
“Art Omi was thrilled to host Layanne Malluhi and Lilas Taha this fall, particularly given the goodwill around 2021 as the Year of Culture between the U.S. and Qatar,” said DW Gibson, Executive Director of Art Omi. “We look forward to continuing this valued partnership in 2022 with the selection of a new writer to bring to Art Omi. Supporting the work of international writers is our great passion and it's our honor to introduce them to American readers and publishers. We're grateful to HBKU Press for making this collaboration possible.”
With the lifting of many COVID-19 restrictions, safety remains at the heart of the 2022 edition which continues to run in a modified state to take into consideration all travel and safety precautions as set out by the State of New York.
HBKU Press has opened its application for the residency program on its website. This opportunity is open to all writers, though preference is given to mid-career writers. Applicants must have an intermediate grasp of the English language as the residency and its workshops are all in English. A full application package includes the application (found on hbkupress.com), statement of purpose (1000 words), a writer’s CV to be submitted in English, and a writing sample (5000 words) that can be in English or in Arabic. Only completed applications will be considered.
For more details on the requirements, terms and conditions, and to apply for the residency, please visit hbkupress.com. The deadline for the application is December 15, 2021. HBKU Press will announce the shortlist of finalists on December 25, and one finalist who will attend the retreat will be announced on January 15, 2022.
