Manchester Writer Anita Sethi selected for Nanjing City of Literature Residency

21 July 2025 - News

We’re delighted that Manchester writer Anita Sethi has been selected for a writing residency in Nanjing City of Literature.

The residency is for 12 days in Nanjing, China and the selected writers will take part in a 3-day literary symposium alongside 40 of China’s leading writers.

The writers will visit cultural attractions in Nanjing, including the world renowned Librarie Avant-Garde bookshop as well as being introduced to Nanjing publishers.

Joining Anita on the residency are writers from Bremen, Montevideo, Lahore, Tukums and Obidos Cities of Literature.

“I’m delighted to have been invited to participate in the 2025 Nanjing International Writers Residency Program and very much looking forward to travelling from Manchester to Shanghai and then on to Nanjing. I’m from Manchester, a UNESCO City of Literature, and I’m excited to explore another UNESCO City of Literature, Nanjing which was China’s capital for about 400 years.  I’m looking forward to forging connections between these cities, networking with writers, participating in cultural adventures, city walks, and getting to know the place’s mountains and rivers. I even hope to get some writing done – with no Facebook, Instagram, or Whatsapp I hope my productivity will increase (that is, unless I join Weibo!).”

– Anita Sethi, award-winning author.