It’s time… to take your writing to the next level!
First Chapter is the only 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.
- Learn how to craft a novel from best-selling authors and industry experts.
- Develop and nurture your skills with one to one mentorships and workshops.
- Meet editors and agents to give your work a boost to reach an international audience.
This year-long writing programme is free, so apply now and take the first step towards writing stardom now.
About the Fellowship
The First Chapter ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship is a year long programme and accepted writers, or fellows, will take part in:
- Six 60-minute one-to-one mentorship sessions (at a mutually agreed time and date)
- 40 hours of talks and workshops from experts spanning the whole of the industry and encompass all stages of writing, publishing and promoting a book. (These will take place monthly on Saturdays in person, and occasionally online.)
Sessions may include readings of the manuscripts that the group members are working on, with peer feedback.
As part of the programme, writing fellows will receive a small bursary to tailor the programme to their specific needs. This might be used towards professional editing, manuscript review, or to join one of the short writing classes in their genre held by internationally recognised writing institutions such as Gotham Writers Workshop and Faber Academy.
Workshops topics will be chosen by our resident mentor or the visiting author, and can include, Plot, Structure, Character, Voice, Dialogue etc. There will also be sessions on editing, re-writing, and how to pitch, with agent pitch opportunities.
As the project has grown, a mutually supportive writing community for alumni has developed that continues with ongoing support to nurture the writers after the programme has been completed.
Writers on the course, who have reached the required standard in their writing that allows them to benefit, will be taken on a ‘writing trip’ to a festival or a writing course/retreat (this may require overseas travel, where circumstances allow).
Application Requirements
First Chapter is aimed towards serious writers who are on their way to publishing a novel (adult fiction, YA, and Middle Grade), but want to elevate their work to a global standard. However, if you are just beginning your writing journey, and think you have exceptional potential, we would love to hear from you too.
Applications are open to anyone who calls the United Arab Emirates home. However, selected writing fellows must be reside in the UAE for the duration of the programme.
There will be 10 successful applicants for the 2027 intake, which will be a mix of Arabic and English writers. However, all applicants will need a high level of understanding of English as many workshops by international experts will be in this language only.
How to Apply
Fill out the online application form below to submit the following:
- A cover letter, in English only, detailing your background, why you’re applying to the Fellowship, and why you should be selected
- A 400-word synopsis of your manuscript, in whichever language you are writing in (Arabic or English).
- 2000 words of the almost-completed manuscript, in Arabic or English. (Please use font type Arial, Courier, or Times New Roman in font size 12. The manuscript must be double-spaced with pages numbered consecutively, and the title must follow this format: ‘Manuscript Title – Your Name’)
All genres of fiction are welcome, including adult and YA. Applications for children’s fiction, memoir and non-fiction categories are not able to be considered.
The names of all the successful applicants were announced at a special event during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature in April 2027.
Cycle 6 Mentors
Terms and Conditions
- Ts&Cs- By entering for the Fellowship you agree to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.
- The Writing Fellowship will not be transferable to another person.
- The Writing Fellowship is not open to employees (or members of their immediate families) of the Emirates Literature Foundation.
- Applicants must currently reside in the UAE and remain resident in the UAE for the duration of the programme. Regretfully if you do not remain resident, you will not be able to continue in the programme.
- Fellows will be selected on merit as judged by a panel of mentors, and mentors will choose whom they wish to work with.
- The panel’s decision is final and mentors cannot engage with applicants or respond to any correspondence. Applying for the First Chapter is not an opportunity for manuscript review, mentors are not required to provide applicants with feedback on manuscripts.
- Mentors will not engage in any correspondence with the writing fellows, apart from that specified in the programme.
- Mentors make their selection on the basis of the work that has been submitted. Mentees therefore cannot substitute an alternative story, but must work on the chosen manuscript for the duration of the year.
- Mentors and mentees will meet six times for one hour, on a mutually agreed date and time.
- Please note that reading of manuscripts by the mentor may be included in this time period.
- We expect Fellows to take the opportunity of meeting with their mentors seriously. This means making the most of their opportunity by preparing for the meeting in advance and sending work for review and any notes for discussion to their mentor two weeks prior to the meeting.
- Attendance at the monthly in-person workshops at the ELF offices in Shindagha is a requirement for all Fellows on the course.
- All workshops and talks are conducted in English, so fluency in the language is a requirement to fully access the course.
- Many of the successful applicants find the course more intensive than they expected. Acceptance on the programme requires stamina and a time commitment. If a successful applicant misses two workshops or does not engage with the mentor sessions, they may lose their place on the programme, and the Emirates Literature Foundation reserves the right to substitute another applicant in this instance.
- There will be opportunities to pitch to editors and literary agents at the end of the process but publication or representation cannot be guaranteed. Successful completion of the course will be certified.
- All entries must be entirely the author’s own creation and should not be generated or significantly influenced by artificial intelligence or other automated means. Any violation of this declaration may result in disqualification from the competition and potential consequences as determined by the Emirates Literature Foundation – see below.
- All applicants must sign the AI disclaimer. The use of artificial intelligence in the creation of an entry is prohibited. In the event that it is determined that AI has been used in creating the manuscript extract submitted, that submission shall be removed from consideration. If AI is found to have been subsequently used on the manuscript during the course, the Emirates Literature Foundation reserves the right to remove the individual from the Fellowship. By submitting your application, you agree that AI detection may be used. Note that the use of programmes to edit or translate your manuscript may flag your works as positive for AI use.
- Acceptance on the overseas element of the course is conditional on fellows meeting the required standards of competency.
- Applicants must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
- All entries must be fiction and in Arabic or English.
- By applying for the ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship, all accepted applicants agree to participate in any promotional activity and material as the Emirates Literature Foundation and Seddiqi Holding might require.
- Selected writing fellows agree to the use of their name, nationality, and photograph in relation to related publicity material and activities.
- Selected writing fellows will be announced during the Emirates Airline Festival of Literature 2027.
Application Form
Thank you for your interest in the First Chapter Writers’ Fellowship. Applications will open at midnight on 29 October 2026, and close at midnight on 31 January 2027.
Seddiqi Holding
Seddiqi Holding is recognised today as a pioneer among leading retailers in the region, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons represents more than 60 luxury timepieces and jewellery brands across 51 destinations in the UAE. What started as one man’s passion over 60 years ago is today an empire that brings luxury and honesty to the hearts of watch collectors all over the world.
By partnering with the Emirates Literature Foundation over a period of five years, Seddiqi will contribute to the advancement of Arab authors and literature, giving back to society and growing the creative writing community in the UAE and the wider region, making vital support for the literary community a part of its timeless legacy.
Curating time since 1950; curating the path to the publication from 2021.
