The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has announced that registration is open for the ‘Writing for Young Adults’ workshop, with applications accepted until 14 April 2026.

The workshop is part of the ‘Qalam Creative Writing Programme, which is dedicated to supporting Emirati authors, enabling them to hone their writing skills, and encouraging them to produce distinguished literary works.

Supervised by writer Hooda Shawa, the virtual workshop runs from 18 to 24 April, with an aim to improve participants’ writing abilities in a creative lab setting. It reflects the ALC’s commitment to support creativity and authorship, in line with Abu Dhabi’s vision for culture , and its efforts to advance and enrich the Arabic language, while encouraging individuals to learn it.

The ‘Writing for Young Adults’ workshop provides participants with intensive guidance on the standards of  creative writing, in addition to  appropriate artistic choices in story writing, including topic, ideas, title, time frame, character development, narrative structure, plot, and a memorable ending.

The session also underlines best practices and practical applications in writing young adult novels, covering the seamless transition between dialogue and narration, the selection of action verbs, crafting language, and employing the senses to build worlds that resonate with the youth, leading up to an ending that leaves a lasting impression on the imagination.

Author Hooda Shawa is a distinguished figure in children’s literature who has received numerous awards, including the Sheikh Zayed Book Award (SZBA) in the Children’s Literature category in 2008 for ‘The Birds’ Journey to Mount Qaf’; the Kuwait State Encouragement Award in the Children’s Literature category, in 2017 for the ‘The Elephant’s Journey’; and the Arab Children’s Book Publishers Forum Award in 2024 for . ‘The Marionettes .’.

Shawa is the founder and director of TAQA Productions, a theatre production company based in Kuwait that creates performing arts and puppet shows, initiatives, and projects in Arabic. She also writes and produces theatre shows for children and adults and presents the ‘Wonder Box’ Theatre in schools, libraries, and public places across Kuwait.

The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre accepts applications to register for the workshop through the dedicated page on its website. Applicants must be Emirati established writer aged 18 and above . Able to commit  to attending the full workshop programme and followi the guidance of the workshop supervisor.

Participants will be selected based on the quality of a draft literary work they submit, which will be assessed by an independent judging committee.  Successful candidates receive a response letter via email. Literary submissions must be written in Arabic only, and the final text will be published by the ALC after being assessed by an independent judging committee, and under a contract that guarantees the rights of all parties.