The Davao Writers Guild is now accepting applications for the 2026 Davao Writers Workshop!
The residential portion of the workshop will take place on May 27–31, 2026, at a beachside venue in the Island Garden City of Samal. Afterward, virtual follow-up sessions will be held over four weekends in June via Zoom.
Participation in the workshop is free, though admission is competitive. Ten (10) aspiring Mindanawon writers will learn the craft through close mentorship from award-winning Mindanawon writers and collaboration with fellow participants.
You can only submit one application. Please read the guidelines carefully before submitting.
Requirements and Eligibility
We welcome applications from Mindanao-based writers who:
- Have an original and unpublished manuscript in one of the following genres:
Fiction – Two (2) fiction pieces, each 1,000–5,000 words
Poetry – Five (5) to seven (7) poems
Nonfiction – Two (2) nonfiction pieces, each 1,000–5,000 words
Play – Two (2) one-act plays, each at least 10 pages (standard format)
Submissions may be in English, Filipino, Binisaya, or any Mindanawon language. (An English translation is required for manuscripts in regional languages.) Priority will be given to works that strongly depict Mindanao realities, particularly those engaging with themes of reconciliation. The manuscript must not have been part of a defended thesis.
- Have NOT been fellows of the Davao Writers Workshop or any national writing workshop. (Alumni of regional workshops may apply.)
How to Apply
Submit your manuscript in .docx format, along with the required information, through the official application form.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submissions is April 16, 2026.
About the Workshop
The 2026 Davao Writers Workshop is organized by the Davao Writers Guild in partnership with the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), with generous support from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
For inquiries, kindly contact Workshop Director Jade Mark Capiñanes at thedavaowritersguild@gmail.com with the subject line “DWW2026 Inquiries.”