The Finch Manuscript Lab
The Finch Manuscript Lab is a 2.5 month residency to support writers completing book-length fiction manuscripts. Hosted at the Finch Country House in Serramezzana, Italy, the residency is carefully designed as the "final sprint" in the marathon of writing a book. It offers living and work space, writing time in a tranquil setting, creative community, and professional development (including manuscript consultations, craft discussions, and publishing seminars).
Residency Dates: October 1 – December 15, 2026
Open Call for Applications: June 15 – July 7, 2026
Residents will be selected by July 30, 2026.
Funding: Thanks to the support of the Goethe Institute and Culture Moves Europe, all selected residents will receive a stipend of 2,280€ for the residency period, and a travel allowance of 400€ for travel of distances under 5000 km from Serramezzana, Italy, or 800€ for travel of distances over 5000 km.
Eligibility and Application: Eligibility and selection criteria, further details, and a link to the application form are coming soon. In order to apply, applicants must be over 18-years-old and be a resident of one of the Cultural Moves Europe countries other than Italy.
What to ExpectWe blend an abundance of self-directed freedom and solo writing time with communal dinners, craft discussions, and one-on-one mentorship to help you complete your manuscript.
❋ Intentional StructureOur mentors were chosen for their exceptional experience across literary creation, editing, translation, and the international publishing industry. Mentor bios coming soon!
❋ Personalized MentorshipsResidents are selected based on the quality of their work samples and the seriousness of their commitment to finishing their manuscripts. This means you’ll be in the company of exceptional writers working on fascinating projects. We also hold Zoom interviews with all finalists as part of the selection process to ensure residents will be kind, respectful, and responsible members of our community.
❋ An Inspiring CommunityThe Finch Manuscript Lab was founded by novelist and literary program director Catherine Foulkrod, who brings over 15 years of experience in the literary arts and creative residency sectors. During the COVID pandemic, Catherine rented a house in Serramezzana where she wrote her debut novel, which will be published by McSweeney’s Books in January 2027. Along with her husband, Maxmilian Narducci, she later purchased and remodeled a traditional stone farmhouse in the same area, and would now like to use this space give other writers the same experience of time and focus in a quiet and inspiring setting to help them complete their manuscripts.
The Backstory