Announcing the trio of writers selected for the inaugural Greenway Writing Residency
From left to right: Aining Wen (Nanjing), Judith Rossell (Melbourne), and Manjiri Prabhu (Kozhikode).
Exeter UNESCO City of Literature has unveiled the trio of talented writers selected for the inaugural writer residency at National Trust’s Greenway, the much loved holiday home of acclaimed Devon writer Agatha Christie.
About the Residency
The ‘Greenway Residency’ celebrates Devon’s rich literary legacy, and the county’s unique access to a worldwide network of writers, readers, and bookish culture thanks to Exeter’s UNESCO City of Literature designation which it has held since 2019.
49 writers with connections to 22 UNESCO Cities of Literature from across the world applied for the residency that will provide space and support for three writers to develop their practice in the inspiring and uniquely Devon-based literary setting of National Trust South Devon’s Greenway — the summer home of Agatha Christie who described it as “the loveliest place in the world”.
The judging panel was made up of Exeter UNESCO City of Literature’s Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard, author & Raw Writing’s founder Carla Jenkins, author & UNESCO residency alum Fiona Williams, and Greenway’s General Manager Gary Calland.
The residencies will run simultaneously to help foster exchange between the three writers, who in turn will share their writing specialities in Devon as part of a programme of activities to connect with Greenway and Exeter UNESCO City of Literature’s network of passionate readers, writers, and storytellers.
The Selected Writers
The three chosen writers for the Greenway Residency that will run from 25th September – 16th October 2026 are:
Aining Wen from Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature in China
Aining is a Children’s book author and illustrator, who graduated from the Cambridge School of Art with a degree in Children’s Book Illustration. Since 2014, she has published over 30 picture books. Her works have been translated into Chinese, English, Spanish, Thai and Korean, and has been distributed globally. In 2021, she was named on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list.
Judith Rossell from Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature in Australia
Judith is an award-winning author-illustrator of the bestselling Stella Montgomery trilogy, the middle-grade novel, The Midwatch, and the new, junior fiction series, Spud and Snowball. She has written eighteen books and illustrated more than eighty, and her books have been translated into twenty languages. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, with an excellent cat called Chimney.
Manjiri Prabhu from Kozhikode UNESCO City of Literature in India
Dr. Manjiri Prabhu is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning author of 24 books, and is the first female mystery author from India to be published internationally. She is also a short-film-maker and the Curator & Director of two international festivals - Pune International Literary Festival and International Festival of Spiritual India.
Quotes from the Judging Panel
Exeter City of Literature’s Executive Director Anna Cohn Orchard says, “This residency is what the UNESCO Cities of Literature Network does best: connects extraordinary writers across borders and gives people space to create. Greenway is such a special place to spend time as a writer, and we're excited to welcome Manjiri, Judith, and Aining into Devon's literary community.”
National Trust South Devon’s General Manager, Gary Calland says, “We’re delighted and excited to be welcoming Manjiri, Judith, and Aining to Greenway. This is a place with a deep connection to writing, and it’s inspiring to see that tradition continue with these international writers staying on site for two weeks. Their presence brings fresh energy and new perspectives, and we can’t wait to see how Greenway’s atmosphere and history shape the work they create.”
Responses from the Chosen Writers
Aining Wen from Nanjing UNESCO City of Literature says, “I’m honored to have been selected as one of three participants for the Greenway Writing Residency. This autumn, I will be spending some time in Devon, working in a quiet and beautiful setting where I will focus on writing and painting. I also hope to gradually develop a recent picture book project exploring story, illustrations, and music. For me, this marks the beginning of a new chapter.”
Judith Rossell from Melbourne UNESCO City of Literature says, “I am so happy and excited to be selected for this residency, and to have the opportunity to spend time at Greenway House. I am looking forward to working on my new story, finding inspiration, and connecting with the other writers and the literary community of Exeter.”
Manjiri Prabhu from Kozhikode UNESCO City of Literature says, “I am delighted to be chosen for the Exeter City of Literature UNESCO Residency. It is a huge honour, a privilege, and an incredible opportunity to stay at the holiday home of Agatha Christie. I am looking forward to a very enriching experience at the beautiful Greenway and in the culturally vibrant Exeter. I am positive that living in the midst of nature, writing, exploring, and soaking in the spirit of the place would bring out the best in the writer in me.”
