Infection / Distance
The whole world is now going through the dark tunnel of unpredictable, anxious times, but now we are beginning to see a glimpse of light at the far end of the tunnel. Life without freedom of movement or contact with others has changed our awareness of distances between people. Getting infected has become something to be avoided at all costs.
And yet, the word “infection” derives from inficere, to immerse in a dye, to transform into a different color. To become immersed in other cultures, or to become infected by other values than our own, should lead to re-visioning of the self, in fact.
We invite you to redefine “infection.” We need to reclaim the joy of infection through the power of literary arts. Send us your piece. In any literary form possible. And in any language. We are looking forward to reading your infectious responses. (Amiko ENAMI)
Background & Submission Rules
Kyoto Writers Residency is a new literary residency founded in Kyoto in 2020. It will be the first international literary residency in Japan. Initially, we were planning for the inaugural residency in fall, 2021, but due to the pandemic, we have decided to postpone it. While preparing for the face-to-face gathering that shall take place in the near future in Kyoto, we are inviting writers around the world to submit short pieces for our “residency in print” project. Our editing team led by critic Amiko Enami will select pieces, have them translated into Japanese, and publish them in a booklet that is due this winter. All languages and all forms are welcome. Each submission must be 5 pages or fewer in total. It may be previously unpublished or published, but if it was published, rights must be cleared with the first publishing body. The deadline is 31 August 2021. Send your submission to kyotowritersresidency<at>gmail.com with the following items:
- Your brief bio in Japanese or English with the title(s) and the language of your submission (no more than 1 page)
- Your submission in pdf format (no more than 5 pages)
- Please note that your submission is for “residency in print” project–not for our future residency.