British Council USA

THINK YOU KNOW BRIT LIT? THINK AGAIN.

Welcome to the British Council UK Writer-in-Residence Program.

Here you will find details about the program, links to resources on contemporary UK literature and a program archive with information about past author residencies and their university hosts.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The UK Writer-in-Residence Program is an ongoing initiative at major American universities. Some of the brightest emerging writers in Britain today make US campuses a home base for literary and educational activities. Authors in the program spend a month in the States with American students, teaching and contributing to campus and academic life as well as to the cultural life of their host city. Residencies feature extensive author outreach and meaningful impact on both students and the general public.

ZOE STRACHAN

Photo of Zoe Strachan, 2011 UK Writer-In-Residence. 2011 UK Writer-in-Residence Zoe Strachan arrived at the University of Iowa in fall 2011.

MICHAEL MCKIMM

Northern Irish poet Michael McKimm. Image credit: Liam Davenport, 2009. Northern Irish poet Michael McKimm traveled to Iowa in October 2010.

Howard Jacobson

UK author Howard Jacobson. Image credit: Jennifer de Young. British novelist, commentator and broadcaster Howard Jacobson arrived in Washington, DC February 2010.

Fflur Dafydd

Welsh author Fflur Dafydd. Image credit: Chris Reynolds. Welsh author Fflur Dafydd journeyed to Iowa in September 2009.

JOHN SIDDIQUE

UK writer John Siddique. Image credit: Jojo Duenas. UK poet John Siddique brought his lyrical magic to Cal State L.A. this summer.

Suhayl Saadi

UK author Suhayl Saadi. Image credit: Bash Khan. Suhayl Saadi's unique voice graced George Washington University in October 2008.

Nadeem Aslam

UK author Nadeem Aslam. Image copyright: Jerry Bauer. UK author Nadeem Aslam brought his stunning fiction to DC in February 2008.

LEMN SISSAY

UK writer and performer Lemn Sissay. Image credit: James Ross, 2007. Poet and performer Lemn Sissay visited Cal State L.A. in January 2008 with his verse.

NII PARKES

UK poet Nii Parkes in Kent, 2005. Image copyright: Marrianne San Miguel. UK poet Nii Parkes inspired with his verse and performance in March/April 2007 at Cal State L.A.

COURTTIA NEWLAND

UK author Courttia Newland. Image copyright Julia West and courtesy Time Warner Books UK. UK novelist and short story writer Courttia Newland hit Washington DC in March/April 2007.

DIRAN ADEBAYO

Diran Adebayo. Image courtesy of the author UK author and journalist Diran Adebayo electrified DC in March/April 2006.

Rommi Smith

UK author Rommi Smith. Image courtesy of the author. Poet and musician Rommi Smith brought the funk to Cal State L.A. in Feb./March 2006.

Anthony Joseph

UK poet-author Anthony Joseph. UK poet-author Anthony Joseph shook up sunny Cal State L.A. in April 2005.

BERNARDINE EVARISTO

UK author Bernardine Evaristo. Bernardine Evaristo inaugurated our program in the nation's capital in Feb. 2005.

UK Writer-in-Residence Program.

People are talking...

"I didn’t expect contemporary British writers to be so experimental. I expected Chaucer."

"I became more aware of the literary diversity in the UK."

"The students seem inspired by the visiting artist."

"If this is the kind of activity that happens in the UK often then it's time we got some more UK imports of this nature."

LITERATURE

OUR TOP PICKS

Connect to the UK by browsing our curated set of Brit lit links.

Contemporary Writers

Explore our online database to research the best contemporary talent in modern Britain.

enCompass Culture

Visit our global online book club to connect with your next great British read.

Study in the UK

Ever thought about studying in the UK? Find out more through our education pages.

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