International Eight-Day Fiction Workshop
Ashoka University
📌 About the event
Now entering its 15th international cycle, this highly selective prose fiction masterclass is presented by the Centre for the Creative and the Critical at Ashoka University. Built upon a legacy of creative writing initiatives running since 2013, this cohort transitions away from basic “how-to” mechanical writing drills.
Instead, it functions as a highly collaborative think-tank exploring the deeper, underlying critical and philosophical assumptions that guide how we read, construct, and interpret the modern written sentence.
📅 Critical Timelines & Logistics
- Application Submission Deadline: June 18, 2026
- Workshop Operational Window: July 4, 2026 – July 12, 2026
- Daily Synchronization Window: 03:00 PM – 06:00 PM IST
- Venue: 100% Online Environment
- Course Fee Matrix: ₹20,000 | Note: Fee is 100% waived for active Ashoka University students.
👥 Cohort Capacity Optimization
To ensure rigorous, line-by-line feedback loops, the masterclass implements a hard cap on system resources:
- Total Max Seats: 12 participants worldwide.
- Internal Allocation Node: 4 seats strictly reserved for qualified Ashoka University applicants.
- External Allocation Node: 8 seats open to a global applicant pool.
📥 Comprehensive Application Protocol
Your application bundle must include the following 4 discrete assets:
- 📄 Comprehensive CV: Summarizing your educational background, professional history, and prior publication credentials (if applicable).
- 📝 Prose Writing Sample: Exactly 1,500 words of your absolute best fiction prose (can be published or unpublished material).
- 🎯 Purpose Statement: A crisp, high-impact written statement (maximum of 300 words) outlining precisely what unique perspectives you plan to contribute to the group dynamics and what milestones you intend to achieve.
- 📨 Professional Reference (Optional): An endorsement letter or reference checkpoint from an academic or literary mentor.