The Bocas-Jacaranda Short Story Intensive
What to Expect...
The Bocas-Jacaranda Short Story Intensive is now closed for submissions. All successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of final decisions by Monday 23 March, 2026 11.59 PM AST.
Facilitated by Celeste Mohammed
A Bocas Academy Seven-Week Session
Hosted by the Bocas Lit Fest and Jacaranda Books
Compressed. Precise. Craft-intensive. If a novel is a marathon, a short story is a focused, fever-pitch sprint to a finish line.
A world of possibilities awaits you in the short story genre. Caribbean writers are no slouches in the field, either–one look at our glowing track record in the Commonwealth Short Story Prize is ample proof.
Join Celeste Mohammed, winner of the 2022 OCM Bocas Prize for Caribbean Literature, author of Ever Since We Small and Pleasantview, on a seven-week journey designed to strengthen your skills in short fiction writing. Through online learning, live craft seminars, peer workshops, editorial feedback, and direct engagement with an international publisher, your drafts will move from patchy to polished–and you’ll refine your own unique storyteller’s voice.
Where? Online, via Celeste Mohammed’s SureFiction teaching portal
When? Seven weeks, 6 April – 30 May (one week break during the 2026 Bocas Lit Fest)
Who? A focused cohort of 10 participants, to allow for personalized feedback and attention
How? A blended pedagogical approach of live and non-live elements, all online
Cost? Successful participants are required to pay a one-time $1000 TTD fee; two spots in the intensive will be fully-funded
This programme is for you if:
- You’re a writer living in the geographic Caribbean, who has not yet published a full-length work of fiction;
- You’re hungry for deeper and more sustained engagement than you’ve been able to get in one-off hour-long or week-long workshops;
- You’re committed to a rigorous, enjoyable seven-week process with nine of your peers and an experienced instructor;
- You want actionable results on a set timeframe: a ready-for-submission final draft; a detailed editorial memo; a strategic submissions plan from your instructor;
- You’re keen on feedback from, and dialogue with, Jacaranda Books, an established publisher of short fiction.
Submission Guidelines
Please submit a single short story ranging from 1,500 (minimum) to 2,500 (maximum) words. Your short story must not have been published on any platform, including your own social media and/or blog, at the time of submission.
Your submitted short story must not appear in publication, on any platform, on or before 7 March 2026.
Applications can only be submitted via the Bocas Academy’s online portal, here. Any applications submitted via email will not be acknowledged.
Your application must also include your one-page CV, and a brief statement of intent, not exceeding 200 words. Your statement of intent should indicate why you would like to form part of The Bocas-Jacaranda Short Story Intensive, and what you most hope to gain from the programme.
If you’re applying for one of the two fully funded spots, you’ll be prompted to upload a separate 100-word statement in the submission form. Your 100-word statement should make it clear that you would otherwise be unable to attend The Bocas-Jacaranda Short Story Intensive without the financial support of the fully funded spot. You are not required to submit bank details, statements, etc.
Applications close on 7 March, 11.59 PM AST.
See the official FAQ for more information. If your question or concern is not addressed, feel free to email us directly at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
The Bocas Lit Fest is held every year during the last week of April/ first week of May in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The Bocas Lit Fest takes place at the National Library and the adjoining Old Fire Station in downtown Port of Spain.
Entrance to the Festival Village is free (unless otherwise stated), and almost all of our events – including readings, panel discussions, film screenings, performances and children’s events – are free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come basis and everyone is welcome.
There are two notable exceptions:
1) The First Citizens National Poetry Slam semi-finals and finals are ticketed events. We recommend purchasing tickets early to avoid disappointment! Note: While in-person performance restrictions remain in place, the FCNPS will be broadcast on national TV in Trinidad and Tobago so everyone can enjoy.
2) You must register in advance to reserve your spot in our writing workshops. You can register online, by phone or by email. We do have free workshops, but most have a small fee.
Our Festival programme is developed around specific annual themes and generally features recently published Caribbean authors. We showcase the writers longlisted and shortlisted for the major literary awards administered by Bocas Lit Fest, as well as the independent panels of experts and writers who judge them. We also review nominations from publishers and our programme partners to determine the most exciting new voices to showcase each year.
We welcome submissions from authors wishing to participate in the Festival, but we have limited openings for writers who don’t fall into one of the above categories. We follow up on submissions/ queries from authors that fit with our programme plans and themes for upcoming Festivals.
If you’re interested in participating in the Bocas Lit Fest, send us an email at [email protected] with an author bio, book synopsis and any critical reviews/ endorsements for consideration. All writers are welcome to participate in our Stand & Deliver series.
We have several events during the Festival, and year round, that seek out and support promising new talent:
- Writing workshops for all levels (advance registration required)
- Stand and Deliver is our main platform for new writers who want to read their work for peers and a festival audience. This is an open-mic event for writers of all genres. While the Festival remains virtual, we’ll put out an online open call for submissions from writers, and the Stand & Deliver will be a pre-recorded virtual event within the Festival programme (and throughout the year if interest from writers is high!).
- Writers First is our series of free seminars for budding and self-published writers on key areas of the book business, led by publishing experts. You can access the recordings full of advice from industry professional in the content library.
- Our New Talent Showcase and New Writing events shine a spotlight on promising new writers, many of whom have gone on to be published after appearing on our stage.
- The Johnson and Amoy Achong Caribbean Writers Prize (formerly the Hollick Arvon) supports an emerging Caribbean writer in completing a work in progress.
The Bocas Lit Fest does not sell or distribute books, so books by authors appearing at the Festival (and many other titles) are sold by independent booksellers who set up booths in our Festival Village. Make sure to purchase early so you’re first in line for book signing!
Beyond books, the Festival Village has an array of exciting local products, crafts and services from specialist vendors — everything from artisan chocolate to handmade clothing, jewellery and crafts. If you’re interested in having your own booth at the Festival, contact us at [email protected] for a copy of our vendor registration form and to get more information on renting a booth space at the Bocas Lit Fest.
Since 2017 we’ve been livestreaming the events at the Old Fire Station, and those videos are available on our YouTube channel here. We have audio recordings of Festival events from before 2017, and those are available via Soundcloud here. If you are interested in using or sharing a recording from the festival, please contact us for permission at [email protected].
Yes! We recruit a large team of volunteers to help at the annual Bocas Lit Fest.