Applying for Writing Residencies and Workshops Abroad: Free Zoom Session from UK Literary Agent

The National Book Council (NBC) will once again be hosting an online Zoom session for its stakeholders with UK literary agent and literary ambassador for Malta Simon Trewin on Friday, 20 February at 16:00. 

Writing residencies and international workshops are often presented as life-changing opportunities — but finding the right ones, applying successfully, and making the most of them requires far more than enthusiasm and a good idea.

In this practical, no-nonsense session, literary agent and publishing consultant Simon Trewin demystifies the entire process of applying for writing residencies and workshops abroad. Drawing on his own experiences attending residencies in Jerusalem, Chennai and Istanbul, Simon will guide participants through how these opportunities actually work — from searching and selecting the right programmes, to preparing strong applications, managing expectations, and turning a residency into something genuinely useful for your writing career.

The session will cover:

• Where and how to find international residencies and workshops
• How to assess which opportunities are right for you (and which to avoid)
• What selection panels are really looking for
• How to prepare effective application materials
• What to expect if you are accepted — and how to make the most of the experience
• Common pitfalls, misconceptions and disappointments

The session will be packed with practical top tips, real application forms, and curated web resources, giving participants tools they can reuse long after the event.

The session will also outline the support available from the National Book Council of Malta, including guidance, advice and funding mechanisms that can help Maltese writers apply for international opportunities and build sustainable international connections.

This is a clear-eyed, experience-led session designed for writers who want to move beyond vague aspiration and understand how international opportunities actually function — in practice, not theory.

The event is free of charge but registration is required. Those interested are invited to register via Submittable here