The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop (HLF–WWK) 2026 is honored to formally announce the recipients of the HLF–WWK 2026 Poet Fellowship Awards, conferred under its Student and Emerging Writer Scholarship program.
Established to nurture new and evolving literary voices, these fellowships recognize writers whose work demonstrates originality, depth of vision, and a commitment to exploring the complexities of our contemporary world. The awards provide selected participants with the opportunity to engage in a week-long immersive program that brings together poets, scholars, translators, and cultural practitioners from across continents.
Set in the historic and culturally vibrant city of Kathmandu, the Festival offers a dynamic space for dialogue, reflection, and artistic exchange. Fellows will participate in readings, workshops, panel discussions, and cross-cultural conversations designed to deepen both craft and critical engagement. The program encourages not only the sharing of literary work, but also the building of lasting creative and intellectual communities.
Award Recipients
- Linda Ohlson Graham (Provincetown) — Full Registration Fellowship
- Rajni Gigi Shankar-Brown (Stetson University) — 50% Scholarship
- Ketan Jain (PhD Candidate, Department of English, Tufts University) — 65% Scholarship
- Elaine Joy Edaya Degale (Afro-Pinay storyteller, filmmaker, and cultural producer) — 65% Scholarship
- Swaati Chandra Shivki (Poet, South Asian University, New Delhi) — 65% Scholarship
These fellows represent a diverse range of backgrounds and literary practices, reflecting the Festival’s commitment to inclusivity and global dialogue. Their participation will contribute meaningfully to the collective exploration of poetry and storytelling in a rapidly shifting world.
The Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop extends its warmest congratulations to the awardees. We look forward to welcoming them to Kathmandu for a week of rigorous creative practice, meaningful exchange, and shared inquiry.
Himalayan Literature Festival & Writers Workshop 2026
Kathmandu, Nepal
May 29 – June 5, 2026
Theme: Ecstasy, Healing, and Creative Writing in the New World Order
