Two WSA-Rwanda Members Selected for Agati Library Writers Residency Cohort 4
Two members of Writers Space Africa–Rwanda Chapter (WSA-R) are heading to Musanze this month for a rare and coveted opportunity: dedicated time to complete their novels.
Sandra Nadege and Patrick Nzabonimpa have been selected among just four writers nationwide to join Agati Library’s Writers Residency Cohort 4, running from August 10 to August 23, 2026. Their inclusion is a proud moment for WSA-Rwanda, whose members continue to make their mark on the country’s growing literary scene.
A residency built for novelists
This year’s edition of the Agati Library residency was dedicated exclusively to novelists. The call went out to writers across the country to submit draft manuscripts, with the promise of uninterrupted time, space, and support to help them bring a novel to completion.
The original call captured the spirit of the program:
“Wordsmiths! Storytellers! You are invited to apply for our writers’ residency program. This residency offers time and space to hone existing manuscripts. The most captivating voices — those that resonate with originality and emotional depth — will not only be honored with cash prizes for the best novel, but also offered guidance towards the realization of their literary dreams and accompaniment for publication.”
From a competitive pool of submissions, only four manuscripts made the final cut. The residency covers accommodation, per diems, transport, and remuneration for the selected writers, with cash prizes and publication support awaiting the strongest work to emerge from the two weeks.
Meet the writers
Sandra Nadege is a writer, editor, and poet holding a BA in Communications. Professionally, she works as a health equity communicator, and she is the author of Light in the Dark, a memoir. An avid reader with a soft spot for mystery novels, Sandra spends her downtime listening to ikinamico, traveling, sampling new cuisines, and dancing to Afro-house and techno.
Patrick Nzabonimpa is a writer, editor, and communications professional, and the author of A Thread of Silent Echoes and Mutoni: The Innovator of Kiruku. His work has appeared in Brittle Paper, Africa in Dialogue, and several anthologies. Patrick also served as a judge for the African Writers Awards in 2024 and 2025 and has received numerous honors, including the Rwanda NCST’s Best Science Technology and Innovation Communicator award.
Two weeks, one goal
For the next two weeks, Sandra and Patrick will settle into the residency in Musanze, trading everyday distractions for focused writing days as they work toward finishing their novel manuscripts.
WSA-Rwanda extends its congratulations to both writers and looks forward to celebrating the stories they bring back from Musanze.
We can’t wait to see what they will produce.