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ChacaLit Poetry Residency 2025: Call for Proposals
ChacaLit is seeking proposals from talented Poets/Teachers for our upcoming Writer in Residence Program, to be held in January or February 2025 in the beautiful coastal town of Chacala, Nayarit, Mexico.
This week-long residency offers the opportunity to lead poetry workshops in a serene and inspiring environment, culminating in a community-focused public reading and open mic event.
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Residency Overview
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Schedule:
Monday–Thursday workshops, approximately 9 AM–12 PM. Afternoons are free for participants to explore or refine their writing.
A public reading will take place on Tuesday or Friday evening, featuring the Poet/Teacher, participants, and community members. -
Stipend:
$100 per student for 8–10 participants (total stipend: $800–$1000 USD). -
Accommodations:
Complimentary room and breakfast will be provided throughout the residency.
Responsibilities of the Poet/Teacher
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Offer four unique workshops under the theme "Poetry Writing Now," exploring themes and prompts of your choosing.
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Optionally, provide workshops for local students in schools (subject to agreement).
Why ChacaLit?
ChacaLit is a vibrant literary community that celebrates creativity, connection, and the power of the written word. Past residencies have been an unforgettable experience for both poets and participants, fostering personal growth and producing outstanding creative work.
How to Apply
Submit your proposal by email or WhatsApp to:
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Email: djbiviano@me.com
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WhatsApp: +1-509-964-3001
Your proposal should include:
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A brief bio or résumé highlighting your teaching and poetry background.
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A description of the workshops you plan to offer.
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Any additional ideas for engaging with the local community (optional).
Take this chance to immerse yourself in the tranquility of Chacala and inspire a passionate group of writers through your unique perspective on poetry.
Deadline to submit proposals: November 30, 2024.
We look forward to hearing from you!
David Biviano, Chair
Bev Thompson, Co-Chair
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You can download the call for applications and watch last year's events:
ChacaLit Festival will take place in Chacala, on the Riviera Nayarit, with workshops spreading to surrounding rural towns and the Residence Program will be based in the private development of Marina Chacala next to the bay of Chacalilla.
FAQ
WHAT
A celebration of literature, books & storytelling in the up-and-coming beach town, Chacala, Nayarit, on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.
WHEN
Kids workshops & public readings will run throughout the year for local people. The Writers Residency runs the first two weeks of December.
WHO
Published authors in different genres and from different backgrounds are invited to spend time on their writing and engage with community and visitors.
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WHY
The main aims of ChacaLit are to promote literacy and the love of books across our community and to establish Chacala as a base for creative people of many disciplines & diverse backgrounds, with a particular focus on writers.
HOW
ChacaLit relies on the dedication of volunteers with a passion for Chacala and for literature. Fundraising activities go on throughout the year and local businesses support this project that is putting Chacala on the map.
BOOK CLUB
Chacala is a community of readers. To support and develop this noble pass-time, the ChacaLit committee has decided to encourage independent book clubs to meet and discuss the same book across the community. From snow bird retirees to Mexican professionals who work in Chacala, we intend to create lots of short meets to discuss a different book each year. Our preference will be for Mexican authors, available in translation and preferably for electronic readers as well. After all, we are 50km from our nearest bookshop!
Join the book club by buying the book, reading it and organizing a meeting to discuss it! Whether in English, Spanish (or any of the other translations) and share your book club with us. Spread the love of reading!
POST-FIL
INDUSTRY RETREAT
Are you coming to the Guadalajara book fair this year? Are you interested in a break at the beach after all the madness is over? We've designed the perfect package so that publishing industry professionals can come to Chacala and stay in calm, beautiful surroundings for a great price and have time to let their experience at the FIL sink in and perhaps deepen the acquaintances they have made during their time in Guadalajara.
Our destination is a small fishing village with a clean, sandy & mellow beach. With a population of about 400 and no big hotels, it is the perfect place to become re-inspired.
PROMOTING THE JOY OF READING
ChacaLit is a program intended to spread the love of books and reading. It also provides opportunity for budding writers to present their work to diverse audiences. In its first edition, ChacaLit introduced Duncan Tonatiuh to the students of Colegio Patria, in Las Varas and to the children of El Jardin Montessori in Chacala Nayarit to give a talk about his prize winning picture books. It also provided a stage for the children of “Advanced English Class”, in El Jardin Montessori to deploy their work. This project will continue supporting reading and writing programs all year.
Emilia Robinson
ChacaLit Chair