OPEN CALL: CELA is looking for writers!

28 Jul OPEN CALL: CELA is looking for writers!

Connecting Emerging Literary Artists (CELA) is an international talent development project co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the EU. CELA connects emerging writers from 11 European countries with emerging translators through masterclasses, sample translations, mentorship, presentations and live meetings. The project aims to offer literary artists from small language markets in Europe a level playing field to establish an international career, reach an international audience and develop their professional skills.

For the second cycle of the third edition of CELA, Association KROKODIL is looking for 3 emerging writers to participate from October 2025 to July 2027.

What do we offer:

• translation of a sample from your most recent published book into 10 European languages;
• publication of this sample on the CELA website and other literary platforms across Europe;
• international online masterclasses on relevant professionalisation topics;
• mentorship programme;
• professional communication tool kit with headshot and artist bio and an online portfolio;
• 1 live national team meeting in Belgrade;
• 1 live project-wide work week in Brussel, Belgium (June 3-6 2026);
• 1 visit to a literary festival in one of the participating countries to present your sample text together with your translator;
• connection to an international network of more than 300 writers, translators and literary organisations in Europe.

What do we ask:

• you are a writer of prose (fiction and non-fiction both apply) in one of the variants of the common language (BCMS);
• you have published a minimum of 1 and a maximum of 3 works of prose (fiction or nonfiction both apply) with a national quality publishing house;
• you have preferably followed literature and/or writing courses and have considerable writing skills, experience and expertise;
• your (published) work has not been translated into more than 1 of the participating languages;
• you are willing and able to prioritize your participation in this project, you can make the time and (head)space to dedicate focus to the activities and you are able and willing to communicate with partner organisations and other participants (the common project language is English).

Are you interested in participating? Be encouraged to apply now!

Your application should consist of 3 documents:

• a relevant and current resume (maximum 1 A4) that has at least: your full name, contact details, where you currently live and work, and relevant information about your practice and experience as a writer and your (writing) education;
• a motivation letter (maximum 1 A4) that explains why you should be considered as a candidate for CELA and what you hope to gain from it;
• a sample from your most recent published work (maximum 2500 words), that could also function as the representative text in the project.

Send your application to prijave@krokodil.rs with the subject ‘CELA open call’ and add your documents in pdf.

Deadline: September 10, 2025 at 23:59 CET. If you have any questions, check the CELA website or reach out to prijave@krokodil.rs

We can implement this project through elaborate funding applications and the dedicated work of all partner organisations:
Next Page Foundation (Bulgaria)
Book Arsenal (Ukraine)
deBuren (Belgium)
Passa Porta (Belgium)
Scuola Holden (Italy)
Krakow Festival Office (Poland)
FILIT (Romania)
GOGA (Slovenia)
Escuela de Escritores (Spain)
Czech Literary Centre (Czech Republic)
Wintertuin (The Netherlands, also project coordinator)