Beyond Literature Borders

A literary development and exchange programme developed by Anamot Press/Tatevik Sargsyan (UK) and Shushan Avagyan (Armenia). The programme includes online writing workshops; a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme and in-person workshops in London and Yerevan. The programme aims to build meaningful cross-cultural creative exchange between UK and Armenian writers; support participants to develop their writing practice; increase opportunities for underrepresented queer and feminist voices; and establish and test an equitable model of international collaboration.

A reciprocal literary exchange between ten young people in Bradford and ten in Mexico City authoring ‘Stories of Belonging’, exploring identity and heritage. The marginalised voices will be in cross-cultural dialogue in partnership with Gama Crea Gallery in Mexico, resulting in a shared collection of writing with commissioned visual responses to those contributions.

A UK–Cairo collaboration with young people in both locations taking part in workshops, contributing creative responses for a shared publication, positioning young people – particularly from underrepresented backgrounds – as co-authors in a cross-cultural literary exchange. This will be realised with Egyptian partner Megawra.

The project creates a dedicated platform for Black poets in the UK, Kenya and Uganda, offering a safe space to write freely without the burden of identity. Building on the legacy of writing movements and collectives supporting marginalised communities, and working with Hay NBO Litfest and Kampala Writes, it will result in a special Sub-Saharan issue of Magma poetry magazine.

Partnering with Writers Project of Ghana to produce a special issue of the annual Covert Literary Magazine, the project includes talent development programmes, editorial and contributor opportunities for writers in both countries, and reciprocal launch events with travelling artists.

A bilingual programme of creative exchange across two countries between Words Across Waters’ founders and author and artisan Ayesha Harruna Attah, based in Senegal, including public bilingual creative writing and ice-cream making masterclasses, and professional development with festival design masterclasses and industry networking.

Fi Wi Time: A New Generation Speaks

This project is a partnership between the Black British Book Festival (BBBF) and the Jamaica Book Festival (JBF), designed to empower marginalised young writers aged 18-30 from Jamaica and the UK. 

Over six online workshops, participants will delve into creative writing, cultural nuances, and pertinent social issues. The programme will culminate in the publication of an anthology, showcasing the diverse perspectives and collective experiences of these talented writers.

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Reimagining Ghana

Forty-Four Words proposes a UK-Ghana collaboration centred on Paul Strand’s book “Ghana: An African Portrait”. Partnering with Isshaq Ismail, they will host virtual workshops, in-person events, and commission writers from both countries. 

The project aims to challenge and redefine traditional narratives concerning Ghana’s post-colonial identity by offering an insider’s view of contemporary Ghana through words.

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Read Aloud Across Borders

An Arabic flash fiction contest where winning submissions are translated into English, published in an ArabLit zine, and soundscaped as flash fiction podcasts. Realised in partnership with ArabLit.

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Ling Di Long, Mutetsvaidzi: A Collaborative Project of Welsh and Zimbabwean Poets

This project will bring Welsh and Zimbabwean writers together to explore their creative practices. 

The writing will be published in a chapbook of poetry by Poetry Wales featuring work by Welsh and Zimbabwean writers with translations into Cymraeg and Shona. Digital content will feature commentary on the collaboration, followed by a feature in the July 2025 issue of Poetry Wales.

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Publishing Palestine

‘Publishing Palestine’ is a project of literary intercultural exchange between the UK and Palestine. 

Mahmoud Muna, a Palestinian bookseller, will visit the UK, taking part in a public salon and industry roundtable, while there will be writing workshops and showcases in Palestine. 

The project will celebrate Palestinian writers and the region’s literary legacy and strengthen the cultural landscape in Palestine.

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