UNESCO Writer Residencies
As part of the UNESCO Cities of Literature worldwide network, we are able to send writers from Exeter across the the world to forge meaningful, international connections whilst working on their writing. We also host writers from other Cities of Literature in Devon as part of this partnership!
Catalan writer Sebastià Portell during his Exeter reisdency in 2024.
Fiona Williams
Exeter to Barcelona
April 2025
As part of an ongoing partnership with Barcelona City of Literature, we sent Exeter author Fiona Williams to Barcelona to work on her writing in the beautiful surroundings of Vil-la Joana.
“I've been extremely fortunate to have spent the last two weeks on a writing residency in Barcelona staying at the beautiful Vil-la Joana in the foothills of Tibidabo Mountain in the Parc de Collserola, the former home of Jacint Verdaguer, one of the greatest poets of Catalan literature.
I'm so grateful to Barcelona and Exeter Cities of Literature for giving me the opportunity to take part in the residency, which invites writers and translators from all over the world to experience the rich literary heritage of Catalonia.”
Wallis Eates
Exeter to Melbourne (Virtual)
February 2025
In February, Devon’s Wallis Eates joined Melbourne City of Literature’s virtual connections programme Parallel Panels - an online writers’ room for comic artists. The 2025 cohort includes participants from Melbourne, Reyjkavik, Quebec City, Iowa City, Nottingham and Exeter.
Comic artists from selected UNESCO Cities of Literature will meet online to share their re-interpretations of each other’s comics. Over nine weeks, they will connect, create, and learn more about each other’s practices.
”It's so good! We're already discovering what a small world it is with various connections that we have, as well as making more, and the activity is such fun - really quite a lot of food for thought!”
Sebastià Portell
Barcelona to Exeter
July 2024
As part of an ongoing partnership with Barcelona City of Literature, Sebastià Portell came to Exeter in 2024 to work on his writing and - with support and funding from University of Exeter - host a series of in-person events and readings in the city.
“A writing residency means, at its heart, writing. In my case, 10,078 words that someday I’ll have to edit. But it also means generosity, and time, and a mindset open to all conversations.
It means cultural exchange and it means helping to raise awareness of writers and a literature that are more and more noticed on the international stage.”
Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson
Exeter to Barcelona
May 2024
As part of an ongoing partnership with Barcelona City of Literature, we sent University of Exeter graduate and Sunday Times Bestseller Esmie Jikiemi-Pearson to Barcelona in 2024 to work on her next writing project.
“The greatest challenge I faced whilst on the residency was feeling like I had ‘made the most of it’. Obviously, it is totally impossible to quantify or prove if I did or not. But in the end, I think I can say I did. I wrote many words, I tried new food, went on long walks, visited parks, churches and cafés...
Honestly, the residency was not challenging for me, but one of the best months I have spent in years!”
Míriam Cano
Barcelona to Exeter
November 2023
As part of an ongoing partnership with Barcelona City of Literature, we hosted Barcelona journalist, writer and translator, Míriam Cano in Devon for 3 weeks to get involved with the local literary scene across workshop sessions and a National Poetry Day reading.
Lucy Holland
Exeter to Barcelona
May 2023
As part of an ongoing partnership with Barcelona City of Literature, we sent Exeter bookseller turned bestselling author Lucy Holland to Barcelona for 3 weeks to work on her writing and explore Catalan culture in 2023.
“Although Vil·la Joana has set the bar very high, I would love to do more residencies in other cities across Europe.
Not only do they give you freedom from the daily responsibilities that make writing difficult at home, they also offer a chance to meet other artists, and immerse yourself in a culture that is not your own. A real chance to broaden your horizons.”