St. Lucian writer and documentarian Amanie Mathurin is turning her pen toward community-building with a new initiative designed to uplift and empower fellow Caribbean creatives. The Chevening Scholar and cultural journalist, through her brand Listwa Collective, announced the launch of a free, application-based writing retreat for Saint Lucian writers, supported by the Commonwealth Foundation, and centered on storytelling as a tool for cultural preservation, advocacy, and identity.
“This dream is a long time in the making,” Mathurin shared on LinkedIn. “It is a blessing to be able to create opportunities for fellow writers… opportunities that I once longed for myself.”
Open to writers of all levels, the retreat offers four facilitated sessions and a series of immersive activities designed to foster community through shared narratives. But it’s more than just workshops and writing prompts—the program encourages deep reflection on the role of storytelling in the Caribbean’s evolving social and historical landscape.
“The objective is to build and empower a small community of writers who understand and appreciate the relationships between culture, history, advocacy, identity, and authenticity in storytelling,” she wrote.
Applications are open until August 22, and selected participants will attend completely free of charge, thanks to grant funding from the Commonwealth Foundation—a move that removes a major barrier to access in a region where many creatives still self-finance their growth.
This retreat arrives at a moment when conversations around narrative sovereignty and Caribbean archiving are gaining momentum. Mathurin, whose own work centers on memory, identity, and documentation, has long advocated for cultural spaces that affirm the voice and value of local writers. With this retreat, she’s not only amplifying that vision—she’s planting the seeds for its future.
Everything to know about this opportunity for Saint Lucian writers
What:
A multi-day cultural writing retreat featuring workshops, storytelling circles, and community-building sessions.
Who can apply:
Writers of Saint Lucian heritage, at any stage in their creative journey.
When & Where:
Dates and location TBA after selection. All costs covered for successful applicants.
Apply by:
August 22, 2025
