Meet Kelly Kaur, Writer in Residence
This FREE VIRTUAL opportunity is open internationally, regardless of gender or identity. It is only open to writing in English.
This is a FREE opportunity to hone your writer’s craft! THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE OR PARTICIPATION FEE.
Only TWO writers will be selected for a consultation per MONTH. Writers are chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Kelly Kaur grew up in Singapore and lives in Calgary. She was recognized at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton for honoring Punjabi Sikh heritage in her children's book, Howdy, I’m Singh Hari, which was also nominated for the Alberta Book Publishing Award, 2026. She was awarded the 2025 South Asian Inspiration Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Culture (SAIA) and was a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2024. She has a novel, Letters to Singapore. Kaur’s poem, “A Singaporean’s Love Affair,” landed on the moon in 2024, the first historic library of its kind, declared an Artemis Accords Heritage Site. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won Honourable Mention in the Creators of Justice Literary Awards, New York. Her poems, short stories and nonfiction have landed on the moon, been published on beer cans, danced on stage, travelled to galleries and museums around seven cities in North Dakota, and published in Canadian and international journals and anthologies. She is a reader and creative writing instructor for the International Human Rights Art Movement, New York. Her poetry collection, My Love is a Durian, published by the University of Calgary Press, is out in October 2026 and is on the CBC's "25 Canadian poetry titles we're excited to read this fall.” Kelly is a two-time TEDx speaker. Kaur’s poem, “A Singaporean’s Love Affair,” landed on the moon in 2024 — the first historic library and an Artemis Accords Heritage Site. Her novel, Letters to Singapore, will go up in 2026.
Meet Kelly Kaur
Get in Touch with the Writer in Residence
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IHRAM’s Writer in Residence is a unique opportunity to share and get feedback on your poetry or prose with the renowned Canadian writer and adjunct lecturer at Mount Royal University, Kelly Kaur. You’ll get a chance to share your writing with a fellow writer, receive her feedback, and feel the warmth of the IHRAM Press community through Kelly’s expertise.
You get a personalized consultation with Kelly, whether that’s brainstorming ideas for your next piece, discussing your current project, or writing a wishlist of goals to get started. This virtual consultation is FREE, open to emerging and more experienced writers, as well as internationally, regardless of gender or identity. However, it is only open to writing in English.
Only TWO writers will be selected for a consultation per MONTH. Writers are chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Please read the supplemental information below before completing your application through our website. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Interested writers can fill out the form below!
THERE IS NO APPLICATION FEE OR PARTICIPATION FEE.
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Please note that any content, including your application, that is written, assisted, or edited using AI will result in an immediate rejection.
If your writing is selected for this consultation, writers will have to sign an AI declaration stating that they have not used AI in their work. While recognizing the creative potential of AI, IHRAM Press’ policy affirms the enduring importance of human creativity and artistic expression.
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This opportunity is available for all types of writers engaged in creative expression and writing.
Submissions will be reviewed by the IHRAM Press editorial team and Kelly Kaur.
This is a FREE, one-time, first-come-first-served opportunity where one writer will be selected every month. If you are accepted, we will be in contact with you regarding which month your consultation has been chosen for.
Please note that the IHRAM Press is one of the pre-eminent activist-writing presses in the world—we value your commitment to human rights and social justice! Chosen works must show a commitment to these values, and the struggle for them.
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Send a maximum of two pages of poetry or prose as PDFs or Word Documents.
In your application, please include
Your full name and/or pen name.
Your country of residence.
A brief third-person bio (between 50-100 words). If your bio includes references of your past work, feel free to provide links!
Two things that you would like to work on (such as character, setting, dialogue, etc.) during this consultation.
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There are no age or nationality restrictions.
Beginners and more seasoned writers are accepted.
Candidates are only allowed to submit one application per year.
Writers who have already submitted to or published their work with IHRAM Press are also eligible.
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Applications are to be submitted online by filling in our form. Please make sure you follow each step and send all of the requested documents. If you’re having trouble filling in the application form on our website, please send your writing attachment and supplemental information to submit@humanrightsartmovement.org
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applications must be submitted in English.
Applications are open all year round.
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The discussion session with Kelly will be up to 30 minutes.
If writers wish to have more time with Kelly during this consultation, there will be an additional fee of $25 for 30 minutes. This additional fee supports Kelly’s time to organise this opportunity.
This is a FREE virtual consultation.
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Applications will be assessed based on adherence to IHRAM’s values: beauty as a fundamental creative principle; sincerity and vulnerability of presentation; opening doorways of engagement (no finger-pointing at others to blame) and celebration of diversity.
Applications will also be reviewed for the quality of the project and respect for our AI policy (i.e. you may not use AI in any aspect of your submission or work).
Please be aware that we are unable to modify applications or add documents to applications once they are submitted.
A panel of editors, including IHRAM Press’ editorial team and Kelly, will make a decision on all applications.
All candidates will be notified of our decision.
Apply today
If you are having trouble filling in this application form, please reach out to submit@humanrightsartmovement.org
About IHRAM Press
The International Human Rights Art Movement (IHRAM) is a nonprofit organization that amplifies diverse artists who enact social change via their art. Featuring artists and writers from all over the world, IHRAM publications showcase a wide-ranging scope of human rights-inspired art.
About Kelly Kaur
Kelly Kaur grew up in Singapore and lives in Calgary. She was recognized at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton for honoring Punjabi Sikh heritage in her children's book, Howdy, I’m Singh Hari, which was also nominated for the Alberta Book Publishing Award, 2026. She was awarded the 2025 South Asian Inspiration Award for Outstanding Achievement in Arts and Culture (SAIA) and was a recipient of the Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award in 2024. She has a novel, Letters to Singapore. Kaur’s poem, “A Singaporean’s Love Affair,” landed on the moon in 2024, the first historic library of its kind, declared an Artemis Accords Heritage Site. She was nominated for a Pushcart Prize and won Honourable Mention in the Creators of Justice Literary Awards, New York. Her poems, short stories and nonfiction have landed on the moon, been published on beer cans, danced on stage, travelled to galleries and museums around seven cities in North Dakota, and published in Canadian and international journals and anthologies. She is a reader and creative writing instructor for the International Human Rights Art Movement, New York. Her poetry collection, My Love is a Durian, published by the University of Calgary Press, is out in October 2026 and is on the CBC's "25 Canadian poetry titles we're excited to read this fall.” Kelly is a two-time TEDx speaker. Kaur’s poem, “A Singaporean’s Love Affair,” landed on the moon in 2024 — the first historic library and an Artemis Accords Heritage Site. Her novel, Letters to Singapore, will go up in 2026.