Bay Area’s SALA is launching a six-month mentorship program for emerging writers, offering guidance and support as they prepare for the SALA 2026 festival.
The South Asian Literature & Art Festival (SALA) is set to launch a transformative six-month mentorship program aimed at prose and poetry writers who are developing work for the upcoming SALA 2026 festival. This initiative, guided by acclaimed author and educator Dr. Nandita Dinesh, promises to be an enriching experience for new writers.
The mentorship program will feature two-hour monthly sessions from April through September 2026. These virtual group sessions will take place on the first Sunday of each month, from 10 AM to 12 PM PST. In addition to the group sessions, participants will also benefit from one-hour one-on-one consultations with Dr. Dinesh each month, providing personalized feedback and guidance.
Writers participating in the program will create pieces inspired by this year’s theme, “The Global Gaze, The South Asian Soul.” Those who attend at least nine of the twelve sessions will be eligible to present their work at SALA 2026 and compete for a jury-selected award. This unique opportunity allows emerging writers to hone their craft within a supportive community, receive expert feedback, and share their voices at one of the region’s premier literary festivals.
For those interested in learning more about the program, an information session will be held on Sunday, January 25, from 10 AM to 12 PM PST via Zoom. This session will provide potential applicants with further details about the mentorship experience.
Applications for the program can be submitted through an online form, with the deadline set for 11:59 PM PST on Saturday, February 28.
Dr. Nandita Dinesh, the program mentor, brings over two decades of experience in interdisciplinary arts-based research, responsive education, and project management. Her background includes leading arts and experiential education programs at various institutions, including UWC Mahindra College, UWC Dilijan College, UWC-USA, and San Francisco University High School. Currently, she serves as a National Faculty member at Project Based Learning Works.
Dr. Dinesh holds a PhD in Drama from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, an MA in Performance Studies from the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and a BA in Economics and Theater from Wellesley College. An alumna of the United World College movement, she has conducted community-based theatre projects across the Indian subcontinent, the United States, and several countries in Africa and Central America. In recognition of her contributions to the field, she received the Elliott Hayes Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dramaturgy from the Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas in 2017 and has published extensively across various genres.
For more information about Dr. Dinesh’s work and the mentorship program, interested individuals can visit the SALA website.
This mentorship program represents a significant opportunity for new writers in the Bay Area to develop their skills and connect with a vibrant literary community, according to India Currents.