A pilot programme supporting exchange, professional development and future collaboration between literature professionals and bookshops in the UK and mainland China. 


Project Background 

The British Council supports international cultural exchange by creating opportunities for artists, cultural professionals and organisations to build connections, share knowledge and develop lasting relationships between the UK and China. 

Bookshops are more than retail spaces. They are cultural platforms that connect writers, translators, editors, publishers and readers, while creating space for ideas, public conversation and community engagement. However, literature professionals in the UK and China often have limited opportunities to spend time within one another’s literary ecosystems, build sector relationships and explore collaboration in context. 

Across Lines & Shelves responds to this gap through short, bookshop-supported residencies. By placing literature professionals within host bookshops and connecting them with local literary networks, the programme supports first-hand learning, professional exchange and the development of ideas that can grow into longer-term UK-China partnerships. 

The Residency 

Across Lines & Shelves is a pilot programme designed to strengthen connections between the UK and mainland China literature sectors. Through an open call, four literature professionals representing literary organisations will be selected: two based in the UK and two based in mainland China. 

Each participant will undertake a short residency attached to a host bookshop in the other country. The programme will support two China-based participants to visit the UK and two UK-based participants to visit mainland China. Participants will be matched with host bookshops that can offer relevant local context, networks and sector connections. 

During the residency, participants will spend time with the host bookshop, attend relevant literary events, meet writers, translators, publishers, festivals and other sector professionals, and gain insight into the host country’s literary landscape. The residency is intended as a period of research, exchange and relationship-building rather than the production of a finished work. 

Each participant will receive a travel grant of up to £3,000 to support return economy travel, six nights’ accommodation, local travel, food and other eligible incidental costs.  

Bookshops as Hosts and Connectors 

Partner bookshops will act as hosts, connectors and collaborators according to their capacity and areas of interest. They will help participants understand the local literary context, spend time within the bookshop’s programme and operations, and connect with relevant people and organisations. Where appropriate, participants may also observe or take part in events and public programmes during their stay. 

The programme also creates an opportunity for participating bookshops to expand international networks, exchange approaches to programming and audience development, and explore future collaboration with literature organisations in the UK and China.  

Open Call 

Applications will be welcomed from representatives of literary organisations, bookshops, publishers, festivals, cultural venues and other relevant literary-sector platforms based in the UK or mainland China. Applicants should be in a position to represent their organisation and develop future programmes, partnerships or sector-facing initiatives arising from the residency. 

The open call is launched now and will close on 30 November 2026, 10 am GMT/6 pm CTS, with residencies completed by 30 June 2027. 

Visit the Open Call page 

Residencies in the UK 

Two literature professionals based in mainland China will undertake short residencies attached to UK bookshops. The residencies will provide opportunities to understand local literary and publishing contexts, build professional networks, and explore ideas for future collaboration. Through meetings, events and informal exchange, participants will gain insight into China’s literary ecosystem and develop relationships with potential collaborators. 

Residencies in Mainland China 

Two UK-based literature professionals will undertake short residencies attached to bookshops in mainland China. The residencies will provide opportunities to understand local literary and publishing contexts, build professional networks, and explore ideas for future collaboration. Through meetings, events and informal exchange, participants will gain insight into China’s literary ecosystem and develop relationships with potential collaborators.

About the Organisations 

This residency is led by the British Council in collaboration with bookshops and literary organisations in the UK and mainland China that are committed to meaningful international exchange. 

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. 

ZUOSHU is a content platform focused on the publishing industry and editorial work, and it also runs an independent bookstore in Beijing. Located in Beijing’s historic Longfu Temple district, in the heart of the city’s old centre and within sight of the Forbidden City’s iconic corner towers, ZUOSHU offers a distinctive environment where contemporary publishing culture meets one of China’s most historically significant urban landscapes. From an editorial perspective, we host exhibitions, salons, book fair, and other events, also produce some merchandise. As a specialised organization with deep expertise in the publishing and editorial field, we provide planning and curation services for brands, commercial spaces, around themes. These include the design of creative content such as book fairs, themed exhibitions, and in-person salons. We have also planned and hosted cultural events at commercial landmarks across multiple cities, drawing strong turnout and online buzz. 

At its core, we do all this for a simple reason: we hope more people can get a sense of how a book is edited and produced, and that through these events, more people will find their way back to books—and make reading part of everyday life. 

JIC BOOKS is the first biographical themed bookstore in China. As a cultural industry brand that JIC Group focuses on building, JIC BOOKS adheres to the concept of "more than books" and provides readers with high-quality cultural experiences that are warm, attitudinal, and profound. 

JIC Books · Shanghai Pujiang Bookstore is located on the North Bund waterfront, facing the Huangpu River and the Lujiazui skyline, with a floor area of approximately 1,500 square metres. Opened in 2014 as China's first biography-themed bookshop, it was expanded and upgraded in 2016 into a comprehensive cultural space integrating book retail, cultural exchange, art exhibitions, art appreciation, cultural-creative products and a café. The store features the "Biography Library" — a 14-metre-high hall with floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows — alongside the Biography Café and an art gallery. It has been acclaimed by readers and media as the "Hogwarts Bookshop" and "the most beautiful bookshop in Shanghai."Since 2016, it has organised over 1,000 cultural and intellectual events, bringing together hundreds of leading figures in the humanities, social sciences, business and technology, arts and aesthetics, and lifestyle creativity, reaching hundreds of thousands of readers. 

Mr B's is a beautiful, energetic and innovative bookshop for every reader on John Street in the heart of Bath. It's a bright labyrinthine space where book-related chatter and advice seems ever-present and you never know what you might encounter next, from claw-foot bath book displays to a museum of authors’ pens hanging from the ceiling. In 2026 we celebrated our 20th birthday, two decades that have seen us twice-named as the UK's best independent bookshop. In 2015 the Guardian named Mr B's one of the ten best bookshops in the world. 

House of Books & Friends is a purpose-led independent bookshop, cafe and events space with an important mission – to combat loneliness through bringing people together and to build and rebuild communities. All of our profits are reinvested into this mission. We are a Community Interest Company.  

Our stunning bookshop, cafe, and event space is located at 81 King Street, Manchester and is home to our knowledgeable bookselling team (who eat, sleep and dream books) and we hope this will become a home away from home for our customers. Our events programme and the work we do with our not-for-profit partners is designed to inspire connection, collaboration and connectivity.  

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