In this blogpost, we share details of South Asia Speaks mentorship and their role in writing mentorships in India.
South Asia Speaks—a free, one-of-a-kind writing mentorship in India initiative for emerging and unpublished writers across the Indian subcontinent—opens its applications today.
Founded in 2021 by author Sonia Faleiro, the program offers a year-long opportunity for South Asian writers to develop their craft through one-on-one mentorship and expert masterclasses
About South Asia Speaks Mentorship
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to citizens residing in the following countries: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, and the Maldives. Eligible genres include:
- Fiction
- Non-fiction
- Poetry
- Translation
- Oral history
Writers with previously published books (unless self-published) or those currently enrolled in WFA or similar programs are ineligible to apply for the South Asia Speaks Mentorship.
How to Apply: Click HERE
Meet the 2025 Mentors
This year’s mentors include an accomplished mix of novelists, journalists, poets, translators, and historians:
- Journalists & Nonfiction: Mira Kamdar, Sanam Maher, Taran N. Khan, Roman Gautam
- Novelists & Nonfiction Writers: Deepa Anappara, Diksha Basu, Mahesh Rao, Prayaag Akbar, V.V. Ganeshananthan
- Poetry: Tishani Doshi
- Translation: Arunava Sinha, Srinath Perur
- Oral History: Aanchal Malhotra (new category this year)
- Writers with Disabilities (Beyond Ability ): Abhishek Anicca
Recommended Reads: Publishing Courses in India
What Writers Gain
Selected fellows receive:
- Six one-on-one mentorship sessions over the course of the year
- Access to masterclasses with editors, literary agents, and published authors.
- A strong creative community that spans countries and genres
Success Stories from Past Fellows
Since 2021, South Asia Speaks has appointed 98 fellows and 31 mentors across cohorts. Many have gone on to notable success:
- Kartikeya Jain (2022 fellow) received a PEN Presents grant for sample translations.
- Nikhil Eapen (2021) was selected for the Logan Nonfiction Program in the U.S.
- Waseem Rashid (2021) earned the Sonny Mehta Fellowship at the University of Iowa.
- Priyamvada Ramkumar (2021) joined the Emerging Translator Mentorship Program by ALTA.
- Chandrima Das (2021) published Young Blood: Ten Terrifying College Tales with HarperCollins.
- Darun Subramanian (2022) signed a translation deal with Routledge .
- Riddhi Dastidar, Suchismita Ghosh, and others have published in anthologies and received media recognition .
What Comes Next?
Applications open today, and interested writers can apply until the end of September. Winners will begin their year-long mentorship in January 2026.
At Keemiya Creatives, we understand that applying to prestigious programs like the South Asia Speaks Mentorship can feel both exciting and overwhelming. While the mentorship itself offers incredible opportunities, it’s important to remember that the application is often the very first impression you create. Many writers struggle with questions like: Is my manuscript ready? Does my sample truly reflect my writing voice? Am I presenting my story in a way that will catch the mentor’s eye?
This is where having the right guidance can make all the difference. Our team works closely with authors to ensure that their submissions—whether it’s a synopsis, sample chapters, or a personal statement—are polished, professional, and representative of their true potential. We don’t change your voice or vision; instead, we help you sharpen it so that mentors can see the strength of your work clearly.
Beyond applications, we also support writers in preparing their manuscripts for long-term success. Many past mentees of programs like South Asia Speaks have gone on to publish acclaimed books, but their journey didn’t stop at acceptance. They invested time in refining their work, understanding the publishing process, and building the discipline to sustain their writing careers. At Keemiya, we align with that same philosophy—helping you not just get in, but also grow as an author.
Our role is not to replace your effort but to complement it. A mentorship thrives when a writer is prepared to put in the work, and we step in as partners to strengthen that preparation. For writers considering applying, or simply looking to take their craft to the next level, we’re here to provide the clarity and confidence you need on this path.
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