Himalayan Writing Retreat Fellowship For Indian Writers In Non-Fiction

The Himalayan Writing Retreat has announced a new scholarship for Indian authors to work on long-form non-fiction. This new scholarship, called the HWR Khozem Merchant Non-Fiction Fellowship, will offer new authors mentorship, funding, a residency in the Himalayas and a chance of getting published by Penguin Random House India.

Khozem Merchant, a former journalist with the Financial Times, was the mentor for many young writers including author Aparna Piramal Raje, who has endowed the fellowship. “This fellowship is a tribute to Khozem’s impact on my writing journey,” says Aparna, “and is a step towards empowering new voices in the field of non-fiction”.

Penguin Random House India has also collaborated on the scholarship, with PRHI editors engaging in the application process. The publishing house will get to read the fellows’ written works first and offer publishing opportunities.

“We, at Penguin Random House India, are constantly in search of fresh new voices and writing talent, and we are proud to come on board this transformative fellowship, nurturing authentic voices and discovering impactful non-fiction,” said PRHI Adult Publishing Publisher Milee Ashwarya.

According to Chetan Mahajan, one of the founders of the Himalayan Writing Retreat, their goal is to provide writers who have unique ideas the requisite support and the opportunity to bring those ideas to fruition. HWR aims to nurture aspiring writers from a variety of backgrounds and experiences.

The fellowship offers:

Exclusive Training: Fellows will participate in a 3-day masterclass with celebrated author Jerry Pinto in May 2025.

Residency in the Himalayas: A 21-day immersive residency in the Himalayan environment from July 13 to August 3, 2025.

Financial Support: Each Fellow will receive INR 50,000 upon completion of the residency, along with an INR 20,000 travel stipend.

Collaborative Environment: During the residency, Fellows work together as a cohort which will include a French writer-in-residence under the Villa Swagatam Indo-French cultural exchange program.

The Fellowship is open to Indian citizens and residents aged 25 and above, working on long-form non-fiction narratives. Applications close on February 10, 2025.

In 2025, three Fellows will be selected by the HWR team along with editors from Penguin Random House.

The Fellowship will culminate on April 30, 2026, when Fellows are expected to submit their completed manuscript to Penguin Random House.