FICTION / NONFICTION -- MARCH 2018

SUMMER WORKSHOP

Tin House

INFO: The Tin House Summer Workshop is a weeklong intensive of workshops, seminars, panels, and readings led by prominent contemporary writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. The program combines morning workshops with afternoon seminars and career panels. Evenings are reserved for author readings, singing, and dancing.

Workshops meet for six sessions, Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 am until 12:30 pm. Each workshop will have no more than twelve students and will treat two manuscripts per session. Each student will meet with their faculty instructor for a 15-minute one-on-one meeting during the week.

Tin House editors and guest agents are available to meet individually with students throughout the week.

For students who have completed a collection of stories or poems, a memoir, or a novel, one-on-one mentorships are available with select faculty and staff for an additional fee.

The Workshop will take place at Reed College, located on 100 acres of rolling lawns, winding lanes, and magnificent old trees in the southeast area of Portland, Oregon, just minutes from downtown and twelve miles from the airport.

Summer Workshop participants are housed in the dormitories of Reed College near the center of campus. Unless requested, all rooms are singles, with shared bathrooms (private stalls) on each floor. ADA accessible rooms are available.

All classrooms, readings, panel presentations, dining and reception areas are within walking distance from the dormitories.

Meals are served in the dining area of the college and are catered by Bon Appetit, and we work closely with them in the hopes that all dietary requirements and restrictions are accounted for and that participants’ needs are met. Students not staying with us on campus need to pay for meals individually.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Short Fiction/Nonfiction - One writing sample of no more than 5,000 words.
• Novel - One excerpt (from the project you will be workshopping from) of no more than 5,000 words.
• Poetry - Up to four poems.

If you have been accepted into a Tin House workshop previously, please do not apply with the same application material. You are free to excerpt from the same project.

Please do not apply with published material. However, it is acceptable to apply with work that is out for submission.

If accepted, you will have the opportunity to switch your manuscript. 

APPLICATION PERIOD: March 1 – April 29, 2018

tinhouse.com/summer-workshop/

WRITING EXCUSES RETREAT SCHOLARSHIP

INFO: The sixth annual Writing Excuses Workshop and Retreat makes a triumphant return to the Caribbean Sea! We begin in Houston, TX, on September 22; we’ll visit Roatan, Belize City, and Cozumel; and then we’ll end up back in Houston again on September 30. You can find all the other info, including our incredible guest list, here.

We are also delighted to report that we are offering more scholarships in 2018 than ever before: five! One of these is sponsored by the hosts of Writing Excuses, one by our amazing patrons on Patreon, and three (3) by our incredibly awesome alumni. They’ve been on the retreat (sometimes more than once), they love it, and they want to share it with as many people as possible.

As always, our scholarships come in two categories: three Out of Excuses Scholarships, awarded to those in financial need, and two Carl Brandon Society Scholarships, awarded to writers of color. Both categories have introduced us to some incredible writers in the past, and we can’t wait to see who we get to meet this year. Share this post with everyone you know, read the rules carefully, and apply!

ENTRY RULES: Each scholarship offers full tuition, $500 of travel expenses, a bed in a double occupancy room on the ship, and hotel expenses in Houston for one night both pre- and post-cruise. Because the food on the cruise is free, this covers essentially all your expenses for the week, though depending on the flights you arrange, you might need to cover some of the travel yourself. You may apply to either scholarship, but only to one of them (even if you qualify for both).

These scholarships are very popular, and get a lot of applicants, so please read the instructions carefully and follow them exactly; incomplete applications will be disqualified.

To apply, please prepare the following scholarship package as a Word document, and send it to writingexcusesscholarship@gmail.com with the subject line: “Scholarship Application: [name of scholarship].” Please copy and paste the cover sheet to the main body of the email, and also include it as the first page in the package.

DEADLINE: March 12, 2018

writingexcuses.com/2018/01/16/applications-are-open-for-the-2018-writing-excuses-retreat-scholarship/

2018 KIMBILIO SUMMER RETREAT

INFO: Writers from the African diaspora are invited to apply for a Kimbilio Fellowship.

In addition to an invitation to the annual retreat, new Fellows become a part of an engaged and growing community of fiction writers who are excited about the future of diaspora literature and about contributing their own outstanding writing to the mix.

In general, our Fellows are writers who have focused seriously on their craft for some period of time and can hold their own at the workshop table with like-minded, well prepared, and talented peers.  Most are emerging writers at early stages in their careers, but many are already well-published and become Fellows because they wish to become a part of this vital community and these important conversations.  Does this describe you?  If so, we encourage you to apply now.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2018

kimbiliosubmissions.submittable.com/submit

JAMES JONES FELLOWSHIP CONTEST

Wilkes University

INFO: The 27th Annual James Jones First Novel Fellowship will be awarded to an American author of a first novel-in-progress, in 2018, by the James Jones Literary Society.

The award is intended to honor the spirit of unblinking honesty, determination, and insight into cultural and social issues exemplified by the late James Jones, author of From Here to Eternity and other prose narratives of distinction.

Jones himself was the recipient of aid from many supporters as a young writer and his family, friends, and admirers have established this award of $10,000 to continue the tradition in his name. Two runners up awards of $1000 each may be given by the Jones Literary Society.  All selections are at the discretion of the judges.

SUBMISSION FEE: A $30 check/money order, payable to Wilkes University, not to James Jones First Novel Fellowship, must accompany each entry.  For online submissions there is an additional $3.00 processing fee.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2018 at midnight EST

wilkes.edu/academics/graduate-programs/masters-programs/creative-writing-ma-mfa/james-jones-fellowship-contest.aspx

PAPER DARTS SHORT FICTION AWARD

INFO: Carmen Maria Machado is judging this year's Paper Darts Short Fiction Award. Word limit is 1,200.

AWARD: $500

SUBMISSION FEE: $6

 DEADLINE: March 15, 2018

paperdarts.org/blog/2018/1/15/introducing-the-paper-darts-short-fiction-award-judged-by-carmen-maria-machado

ASIAN WOMEN GIVING CIRCLE

INFO: Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC) believes culture is an essential part of any strategy for social change. We support Asian American women-led organizations and individual artists in NYC who are using arts and culture to:

• bring about progressive social transformation,
• raise awareness and catalyze action around critical issues that affect Asian American women, girls and families, and
• highlight and promote women’s central role as leaders, creators, developers and managers of these projects.

In this grants cycle, we anticipate that 5-8 project grants will be awarded, contingent on available funding. The maximum grant amount is $15,000. For a description of past project grants, please visit our website: www.asianwomengivingcircle.org

Founded in 2005, the AWGC is a collaboration of Asian American women in New York City who are passionate about amplifying the transformative power of arts and culture to bring about progressive change. We promote grassroots philanthropy and pool our resources to fund projects led by Asian American women who use their creativity to move hearts, minds and communities to be free of fear, bias and injustice.

AWGC is the first and largest giving circle in the nation led by Asian American women. Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial and ethnic group in New York City (comprising 14% of the population) yet our communities receive less than 1% of philanthropic dollars. Our goals are to:

• Channel more resources into our local communities
• Engage more people to invest in creative projects by and for our communities
• Shine an authentic spotlight on our experiences and stories
• Promote progressive social change
• Raise the visibility of Asian American women doing philanthropic work

All donors to the giving circle are invited to vote on the projects they wish to see funded. The AWGC Steering Committee is a group of approximately 25 diverse Asian American women who lead the grantmaking and fundraising efforts of the giving circle.  We are a donor-advised fund at the Ms. Foundation for Women, which distributes our funds solely at our direction.

AWGC funds individual artists and community groups whose projects contribute to progressive social and political change. Since our founding, we have raised and awarded over $850,000 in support of over 80 projects.

DEADLINE: March 16, 2018

forwomen.org/grants-2/awgc-2018-rfp/

MARCUS GARVEY FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIPS

Emory University

Jean Harvey Slappy Research Fellowship

This fellowship -- named in honor of long-time Marcus Garvey Foundation board member Jean Harvey Slappy -- looks to support doctoral candidates working on aspects of the history of the U.N.I.A. (Universal Negro Improvement Association), the A.C.L. (African Communities League), and/or Marcus Garvey's organizational activities, and who wish to use the Thomas W. Harvey/U.N.I.A. collection located at the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library. Research fellows receive grants of $500 to help defray expenses associated with travel to and use of the archival collection.

Marcus Garvey Foundation Research Fellowship

This fellowship looks to support doctoral candidates doing primary research in the humanities and social sciences on topics related to Africa and the African diaspora. Those doctoral candidates using archival collections and/or conducting oral histories are especially encouraged to apply.  Research fellows receive grants of $500 to help defray research expenses. For more information, click here.

DEADLINE: March 23, 2018

rose.library.emory.edu/research-learning/fellowships-awards/visiting-researchers/subject/garvey.html

THE 2018 ELIZA SO FELLOWSHIP

Submittable

INFO: Submittable is thrilled to announce the second annual Eliza So Fellowship, in partnership with The Writer’s Block and Plympton. This month-long residency in Las Vegas will offer award recipients time and solitude to help them finish a book that is already in progress. The program’s inaugural fellow was Melissa Sipin in 2017.

The 2018 fellowships will include room and board at The Writer’s Block, along with a $500 food stipend and $400 toward travel.  They are pleased to expand the program this year to offer two residencies between September and December, and awarded in the following categories:

• The Eliza So Fellowship for Immigrant Writers
• The Eliza So Fellowship for Montana Indigenous Writers

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

•  You have a novel, collection of stories, memoir, or other prose work (fiction, nonfiction or hybrid) in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum)  
• You are either: a) A US immigrant (documented or undocumented), b) An indigenous writer with significant ties to Montana (either you are from Montana, live in Montana currently, or have another significant affiliation with Montana).

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: March 25, 2018
• Results Announced: June 1, 2018

blog.submittable.com/2017/12/the-2018-eliza-so-fellowship/

WINTER 2018 STORY CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: The contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. They are looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

Narrative winners and finalists have gone on to win the Pushcart Prize, the Whiting Award, and the Atlantic Prize, and have appeared in the Best American Short Stories, the Best American Nonrequired Reading, and others. View all the recent awards won by Narrative authors.

AWARDS:

• First Prize is $2,500
• Second Prize is $1,000
• Third Prize is $500
• Ten finalists will receive $100 each.
• All entries will be considered for publication.

SUBMISSION FEE: $26 for each entry. And with your entry, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

DEADLINE: March 31, 2018, at midnight PT

narrativemagazine.com/winter-2018-story-contest

2018 GRACE PALEY TEACHING FELLOWSHIP

New School

INFO: Eugene Lang College of Liberal Arts at the New School is welcoming applications for the second annual Grace Paley Teaching Fellowship, a semester-long residency in the First-Year Writing Program. The Fellowship will honor a writer of considerable achievement, in any genre, whose work also reveals a concern for social justice.

The Grace Paley Fellow will teach a first-year essay-writing seminar for 15 incoming undergraduate students. Classes meet twice per week throughout the Fall 2018 semester. In addition to the course, over the semester the Paley Fellow will deliver one public craft lecture, offer one public reading of new work, and participate in at least three informal lunch-time writing seminars where faculty take up various themes and topics of interest from our classes. The Fellow will also deliver a talk during the 2018 orientation for all incoming New School students and will be invited to deliver the keynote address at the spring 2019 Scholastic Writing Awards.

The Fellow works closely with the Director of First-Year Writing and other faculty to discuss pedagogy, grading, and assessment (including student preparedness for more advanced writing courses).

The Grace Paley Teaching Fellowship is open to writers in any genre (nonfiction, fiction, poetry, drama) whose work demonstrates a concern for social justice.

Applicants should have published at least two book-length works. These books, combined with additional publications, should demonstrate considerable achievement in the writer’s field and engagement with the world at large.

The New School is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promises diversity and tolerance in all areas of employment, education and access to its educational, artistic or cultural programs and activities. The New School does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, creed, sex or gender (including gender identity and expression), pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, religious practices, mental or physical disability, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, marital or partnership status, or any other legally protected status.

AWARD: The Fellowship offers a $25,000 stipend and is located in New York City.

DEADLINE: April 1, 2018

portfolio.newschool.edu/firstyearwriting/2017/12/15/2018-grace-paley-teaching-fellowship/

ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM       

The Jerome Foundation

INFO: The Jerome Foundation is pleased to announce the first round of a new Artist Fellowship program that offers flexible, two-year grants to support the creative development of early-career generative artists in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. Artists may apply individually or together with other members of ongoing collectives or ensembles.

The Jerome Foundation makes a distinction between generative artists (those artists responsible for artistic control in generating entirely new work, including writers, choreographers, film directors, visual artists, composers, playwrights, etc.) and interpretive artists (those who interpret or execute the work created by others, including actors, editors, dramaturgs, singers, dancers, musicians, designers, etc.). The Foundation recognizes that some artists do both generative and interpretive work. Nevertheless, the Fellowship program supports only those artists with a significant history of generative work.

All eligible applicants must have a history of making and presenting new work to the public beyond student work (if the applicant has pursued formal training). While an applicant’s past projects are reviewed as part of the selection process, the program’s primary focus is supporting an artist’s future potential through the creation of new work or activities that support professional development and/or career advancement.

The Foundation will make 10 grants in each of six categories:

• Dance
• Literature (fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry)
• ·Media—including Film, Video and Digital Production (documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental) and New Media (artistic work that is computational and distributed digitally, in the form of websites, mobile apps, virtual worlds, computer games, human-computer interface or interactive computer installations)
• Music
• Theater, Performance and Spoken Word
• Visual arts

Artists whose work spans multiple disciplines may request to be reviewed in two different disciplines. The Foundation reserves the right, however, to direct such applications to a single panel.

AWARD: Each fellow will receive $20,000 per year for two consecutive years, making the total cash award $40,000 over the two-year period. Individual artists may petition the Foundation to reduce the award amount but must present specific, compelling reasons to do so. Artists applying as part of a collective or ensemble will share one $20,000 per year award.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Period:  Now through May 8, 2018 at 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern Time
• Notification of grant awards: By April 15, 2019
• Earliest Date to Receive Funds: May 8, 2019

jeromefdn.org/apply/artist-fellowship

FICTION / NONFICTION -- FEBRUARY 2018

ANISFIELD-WOLF FELLOWSHIP IN WRITING & PUBLISHING

Cleveland State University Poetry Center

INFO: The Cleveland State University Poetry Center is accepting applications for the Anisfield-Wolf Fellowship in Writing & Publishing, a two-year post-graduate fellowship that offers an emerging writer time to work toward a first or second book and an opportunity to gain experience in editing, publishing, literary programming, and outreach in collaboration with the staff of the CSU Poetry Center.

The CSU Poetry Center is a 55+-year-old independent nonprofit press that publishes 3–5 books of contemporary poetry, prose, and translation each year. The Poetry Center also hosts the Lighthouse Reading Series and serves as a teaching lab for undergraduate and graduate students at Cleveland State University and within the Northeast Ohio MFA program. The Fellow will be a two-year employee of the CSU English department. The salary is $40,000 per year with health insurance and benefits.

The fellowship will encompass two academic-year (9-month) residencies of 30 hours per week, divided between writing, work at the CSU Poetry Center, and an outreach project of the Fellow’s own design. Poetry Center work will include reviewing submissions, attending editorial meetings, and assisting with Center contests. Possible outreach projects include (but are not limited to): developing an anthology incorporating authors from an underrepresented community; organizing community writing workshops; developing a reading series to engage previously underserved communities; or working with a local organization involved in education, social justice, and the literary arts. The project should be designed and completed in the two years in which the Fellow is in residence. It is expected that this work will further engage an already enthusiastic writing community at Cleveland State University and throughout Cleveland. Additional professional development opportunities for the Fellow will include participation in Cleveland Book Week and public readings of their work for the Cleveland literary community.

This fellowship is named for and supported by the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which honor literature that promotes equity and social justice and are administered through the Cleveland Foundation. Through the creation of this fellowship, Anisfield-Wolf and the CSU Poetry Center hope to support writers from backgrounds and with perspectives historically underrepresented in publishing and creative writing programming. By providing editorial experience and opportunities at a literary press, the fellowship also aims to help address the longstanding lack of diversity in the U.S. publishing workforce.

Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf established the book awards in 1935 in honor of her father, John Anisfield, and husband, Eugene Wolf, to reflect her family’s passion for social justice and the rich diversity of human cultures. Founded with a focus on combating racism in America, the Anisfield-Wolf Awards today maintain that commitment to equity and justice in an expanded, global context. Recent winners, for example, have also addressed religious identity, immigrant experiences, LGBTQ+ history, and the lives of people with disabilities.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2017

csupoetrycenter.com/news-1/2017/12/13/anisfield-wolf-fellowship-in-writing-publishing

U.S.-JAPAN CREATIVE ARTISTS EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIPS

Japan-United States Friendship Commission

INFO: The Japan U.S. Friendship Commission offers leading contemporary and traditional artists from the United States the opportunity to spend three to five months in Japan through the U.S.-Japan Creative Artists Program.  Artists go as seekers, as cultural visionaries, and as living liaisons to the traditional and contemporary cultural life of Japan.  They also go as connectors who share knowledge and bring back knowledge. Their interaction with the Japanese public and the outlook they bring home provide exceptional opportunities to promote cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.

Since 1978, the Japan-US Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have worked  with the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan and the International House of Japan (I-House) to organize the United States-Japan Creative Artists’ Program. Each year five leading U.S.-based artists, representing all genres, are selected from the United States and are provided funding to spend three months in Japan.

This residency program allows the artists to research and experience both the traditional and contemporary artistic milieu of Japan. Artists are free to live anywhere in the country to pursue activities of greatest relevance to their creative process. While many artists chose to remain in Tokyo, others live in Kyoto or other cities, and still others work in rural settings or travel around the countryside. The International House of Japan provides in-depth orientation materials, expert advice and professional contacts, as well as logistical support during the residency period.

Primary Eligibility:

• Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Candidates must live and work professionally primarily in the United States.
• Candidates must be professional creative artists (contemporary or traditional) working as: architects, choreographers, composers, creative writers, designers, media artists, playwrights, librettists, visual artists and solo theater artists who work with original material (including puppeteers, and performance artists). For additional eligibility requirements, please click here.

AWARD: A grant award of $20,000 for three months, and $28,000 for up to five months will be provided to each artist to cover housing, living and professional expenses.  Artists will be responsible for converting their U.S. Dollar award into Japanese Yen.  The Commission will also provide grantees up to $2,000 to cover the cost of their round-trip transportation to Japan.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2018 at 11:59 EST

jusfc.gov/creative-artists-programs/

CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIP

Luminarts

INFO: The Creative Writing Fellowship awards five $5,000 Luminarts Fellowships for excellence in creative writing in the categories or prose and poetry. Applicants submit a two-page written piece (either a stand-alone piece or an excerpt of a larger piece such as a novel or short story). Entries are submitted and reviewed by an initial panel of jurors. Once reviewed, all top entries go to the final juror panel and the winners are selected. Jurors are comprised of professional authors, novelists, and poets, literary contributors, publishers, editors, journalists and media contributors.

Fellowship applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 30, live within 150 miles of the Chicago Loop, and be enrolled in, or graduated from, a degree program, or other professional artist development program. 

DEADLINE: February 9, 2018

luminarts.org/creative-writing-opportunities

AMBROGGIO PRIZE

Academy of American Poets

INFO: The Ambroggio Prize is a $1,000 publication prize given for a book-length poetry manuscript originally written in Spanish and with an English translation. The winning manuscript is published by Bilingual Press/Editorial Bilingüe, publisher of literary works, scholarship, and art books by or about U.S. Hispanics. Established in 2017, the Ambroggio Prize is the only annual award of its kind in the United States that honors American poets whose first language is Spanish.

The judge for the 2018 Ambroggio Prize is Alberto Ríos.

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018

poets.org/academy-american-poets/prizes/ambroggio-prize

ARTISTS RESIDENCY

Mineral School

INFO: Mineral School is an artists residency located in a former 1947 elementary school near Mt. Rainier, in Mineral, Washington. During summer 2018, we're offering three two-week residency periods to 8 writers of poetry and prose and 4 visual artists, providing accepted applicants with space and time to create new work without the interruptions of normal life and with the bonus of healthy meals prepared by culinary volunteers using locally-grown organic food whenever possible. During September 2018, we'll offer a one-week residency to 4 writers who are parents of children under 18. 

Each resident will live in an 800-square foot former classroom that offers peekaboo views of Mineral Lake and Mt. Rainier, and that will double as their writing studio, with desk and chair, lighting, bookcase, and lots of chalkboards. Visual artist residents will be offered space to work outside of their classrooms (unless they wish to work in their medium in the room where they sleep). The school building has bathrooms with showers. Residents are served all meals and snacks daily and have the opportunity to share work with the public. Mineral features a swimmable fishing lake and boat rentals, a bar, a bed and breakfast, a general store, churches, a post office, and more deer than people. It's 25 minutes by car to Mt. Rainier National Park.

Visiting authors and artists: During each two-week residency, resident alumnae will visit and present work and bring with them a special guest artist they've chosen to introduce to Mineral. Additionally, during June's residency there will be a free musical event onsite on the last night, Saturday, June 30, by the Portland band Swimfish.

Resident presentations: If they wish, residents can share with one another and the public at our monthly residents' "show and tell" held during residency. These presentations are held after dinner in our library/multi-purpose room.

Notification will be given at least two months before the residency period for which you've applied. Residency sessions are held during the following time periods.  

Two-week residency periods for 2018:

• June 17-July 1
• July 15-July 29
• August 19-September 2

One-week parents' residency

• September 15-September 23

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018

mineralschool.submittable.com/submit 

CALL FOR SUBMISSION: ISSUE 3

The Shanghai Literary Review

INFO: The Shanghai Literary Review accepts submissions for web and print on a rolling basis. They are interested in art and criticism about urbanism, globalism, identity, and transnationalism, though by no means should submissions be limited to those topics. Selected works will be published in print, and with a delay, also online. They strongly urge submitters to check out their TSLR Online section on this site or view back issues of the magazine to get a sense of what they are looking for.

They publish: 

• Fiction - less than 5,000 words
• Poetry - 2 poems submission limit per person
• Nonfiction & Essay - less than 5,000 words
• Flash Fiction or Nonfiction - less than 500 words
• Visual Art - photography, video, photo essay, collage, painting, sketch, etc.
• Translation - translation into English of any poetry, essay or short fiction from Asia, or vice versa, along with the original text
• Book Review - pitch book review ideas to us, on fiction or non-fiction from or about Asia

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018

shanghailiterary.com/submissions/

NYC EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

The Center for Fiction

INFO: This program is generously funded by a grant from the Jerome Foundation, matched by additional funds from individuals. We will be selecting nine writers in 2018 and during the one-year fellowship period grantees will receive:

• A grant of $5,000
• The option to engage in a mentorship with a selected freelance editor
• The opportunity to meet with agents who represent new writers
• Free admission to all Center events for one year, including tickets to our First Novel Fete and benefit dinner as space allows
• 30% discount on tuition at select writing workshops at the Center
• Two public readings as part of our annual program of events and inclusion in an anthology distributed to industry professionals
• A professional headshot with a photographer for personal publicity use

CRITERIA: Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs, and must remain in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply, even if the focus of study is not directly related to writing. This program supports emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their careers as fiction writers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who has not yet had a novel or short story collection published by either a major or independent publisher and who is also not currently under contract to a publisher for a work of fiction. Eligible applicants may have had stories or novel excerpts published in magazines, literary journals or online, but this is not a requirement. If at any point during the judging process an applicant signs a contract for publication or accepts an offer to study in a degree-granting program, he or she must alert us immediately to have the application pulled from consideration.

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018 by 11pm

centerforfiction.org/forwriters/grants-and-awards/?mc_cid=a33e86b186&mc_eid=591acda9d1

THE BREAKOUT EIGHT WRITERS PRIZE

Epiphany / The Authors Guild

INFO: Epiphany is partnering with the Authors Guild to honor and support outstanding emerging literary voices and bring visibility to the writers of our future by choosing eight breakout student writers

PRIZE: Eight writers will receive publication in Epiphany's Breakout Eight special issue; a $250 cash prize; a year-long mentorship with Epiphany editor-in-chief, 2015 National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree, and 2012 Center for Fiction fellow Tracy O'Neill; a complimentary one-year student membership to the Authors Guild, including free access to seminars, webinars, and the writers’ resource library; a featured interview published on the Epiphany website, in the Authors Guild Bulletin, and on the Authors Guild website; a one-year subscription to Epiphany; and a short manuscript review. 

Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited university at least part-time for the academic year Fall 2017­–Spring 2018.The prize is open to both graduate and undergraduate students. Students need not be enrolled in MFA programs or creative writing programs.

Honorees will be selected blind on the basis of the work’s creative merit by a judging panel made up of Alexander Chee and Hannah Tinti, and Epiphany Editor-in-Chief Tracy O’Neill.

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018

epiphanyzine.com/breakout-8

VISITING FELLOWSHIP

American Library in Paris

INFO: The Visiting Fellowship offers writers and researchers an opportunity to pursue a creative project in Paris for a month or longer while participating actively in the life of the American Library. Fellowship applicants should be working on a book project, fiction or non-fiction, or a feature-length documentary film, that contributes to cross-cultural discourse. We are not accepting poetry projects for the present Fellowships.

Particular attention will be paid to a potential fellow’s ability to offer Library members a variety of opportunities for exploring a topic or form. In addition to the stipend, the Library will connect the fellow to resources and people in Paris that could be helpful to his or her project. The Fellowship is open to all English-speakers, regardless of nationality.

The Fellowship is made possible through the generous support of The de Groot Foundation. There are two one-month Fellowship periods a year in fall and spring, with dates to be specified later.

AWARD: A $5,000 stipend paid one month before start of Fellowship period. The award, to be spent at the discretion of the Fellow, is designed to cover travel to Paris, accommodation, and expenses associated with the month in Paris. The Fellowship is open to all nationalities, though the proposed project must be in English.

Visiting Fellows are expected to:

• Be present in Paris during the period of the Fellowship.
• Be present in the American Library a minimum of three half-days a week.
• Present one hour-long evening program at the Library on a mutually agreed upon topic.
• Participate in a Library reception.
• Meet with staff informally to explore a topic of mutual interest.
• Extend the Library’s reach by participating in events arranged by the Library with other organizations in Paris.
• Provide the Library and the funding foundation with a written report of the Fellowship experience.
• Appropriately acknowledge the Library and the Visiting Fellowship in publications and print media related to the Fellowship project.
• Participate in the Library’s social media communication, fundraising campaigns, and other public events.

DEADLINE: February 15, 2018

americanlibraryinparis.org/visiting-fellowship/

MACONDO WRITERS WORKSHOP

INFO: The Macondo Workshop is a master’s level workshop, meaning that participants are expected to be established writers capable of reviewing each other’s work with compassionate rigor and vision. In 2018 we will hold three workshops, which meet for four days, three hours each day. We will have fiction, creative non-fiction, and poetry workshops. Maximum number of participants in each workshop is 12.

In addition to the morning workshops, afternoon/early evening seminars, open to everyone, give Macondistas a chance to discuss artistic, political, publishing, and other topics related to writing. Events planned throughout the week provide opportunities for Macondistas to visit, get to know each other, and exchange ideas. A large, open mic gathering on one of the evenings brings us all together to read our work and enjoy the company of the larger community. Sandra Cisneros will conduct a fundraiser reading to support the Macondo Writers Workshop on one evening between July 25 and 28.

Texas A&M University-San Antonio has generously offered classroom and performance space and housing in its residence halls at a reduced rate, along with sponsorship of the Welcome Dinner, Final Breakfast, and other services to Macondo participants. We are grateful to University President, Dr. Cindy Teniente-Matson and her wonderful faculty, staff, and students for their commitment to ensuring a successful Macondo workshop.

FEES / TUITION:

• Application Fee: $25
• Tuition: $500 tuition, plus additional cost for five nights’ accommodations either arranged on your own or in campus residence halls at a reduced rate. (Actual cost for residence hall accommodations is not expected to exceed $200 for five nights.)

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: February 16, 2018
• Notification: by March 31, 2018
• Welcome Dinner: July 24, 2018
• Workshops: July 25 – 28, 2018
• Farewell Breakfast: July 29, 2018

lizgonzalez.com/pages/macondo.html

2018 VONA / VOICES SUMMER WRITING WORKSHOPS

INFO: Applications for the summer workshop are currently being accepted. VONA/Voices is open to all adult writers-of-color at any level of experience. There are no degree, publication or documentation requirements to apply.

Writers may attend 3 workshops maximum in the same genre or topic. Alums may attend 2 additional workshops in different genres or topics. No more than 3 years may be consecutive.

If you are an Alum of VONA/Voices who has had the maximum number of workshops (5), thank you for making your space available to new members of our community.

FEES / TUITION:

• Deposit: $200
• Regular: Weeklong workshop $1,100 
• Residency: $1,100

IMPORTANT DATES:  

• Deadline: February 19 at midnight PDT
• Notification: March 10
• Waitlist Notifications: by April 1, 2018.
• Manuscripts uploaded: by May 21
• All fees due: by June 1
• Week One Residency: June 17-June 23
• Week Two Residency: June 24 - June 30, 2018

voicesatvona.submittable.com/submit/101991/2018-vona-voices-summer-writing-workshops

2018 AWARD SERIES

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.

The Award Series conducts an evaluation process of writers, for writers, by writers. AWP hires a staff of “screeners” who are themselves writers; the screeners review manuscripts for the judges. Typically, the screeners will select ten manuscripts in each genre for each judge’s final evaluations.

Eligibility Requirements

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as:

• Poetry: 48 pages minimum text;
• Short story or creative nonfiction collection: 150–300 manuscript pages; and
• Novel: at least 60,000 words.

Poems and stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers. Mixed-genre manuscripts cannot be accepted. Criticism and scholarly monographs are not acceptable for creative nonfiction, which the Award Series defines as factual and literary writing that has the narrative, dramatic, meditative, and lyrical elements of novels, plays, poetry, and memoir.

AWARDS:

Donald Hall Prize for Poetry

• $5,500
• Judge: Ross A. Gay
• Publication from the University of Pittsburgh Press

Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction

• $5,500
• Judge: Kelly Link
• Publication from the University of Massachusetts Press

AWP Prize for the Novel

• $2,500
• Judge: Paula McLain
• Publication from New Issues Press

AWP Prize for Creative Nonfiction

• $2,500
• Judge: TBA
• Publication from the University of Georgia Press

DEADLINE: February 28, 2018

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview

CREATIVE CAPITAL AWARD

Creative Capital

INFO: Creative Capital is an impact-driven arts organization that supports adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, and career development services.

Their pioneering venture philanthropy approach helps artists working in all creative disciplines realize their visions and build sustainable practices. Creative Capital provides each funded project with up to $50,000 in direct funding and career development services valued at $45,000, for a total commitment of up to $95,000 per project.

In February 2018, they will accept submissions in 34 disciplines. These include works in film, literature, performing arts, visual arts, and a number of other media.

DEADLINE: February 28, 2018

apply.creative-capital.org/

PRIZE FOR NEW IMMIGRANT WRITING

Restless Books

INFO: The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing alternates yearly between accepting unpublished fiction and nonfiction submissions. Fiction submissions can take the form of a novel or a book-length collection of short stories. Nonfiction submissions can take the form of a memoir, a collection of essays, or a book-length work of narrative nonfiction.

Fiction manuscripts must be complete. Nonfiction submissions must consist of either a complete manuscript, or a sample of at least 25,000 words and a detailed proposal that includes a synopsis and an annotated table of contents. All submissions must be in English (translations welcome). 

Candidates must be first-generation residents of their country. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated, or to residents of a country whose parents were born elsewhere.

Fiction candidates must not have previously published a book of fiction with a US publishing house. Nonfiction candidates must not have previously published a book of nonfiction with a US publishing house. We encourage applicants to look at the other titles Restless has published and previous contest winners to get a sense of our aesthetic.

PRIZE: a $10,000 advance and publication by Restless Books in print and digital editions. We expect to work closely with the winner and provide editorial guidance.

DEADLINE: February 28, 2018

restlessbooks.com/prize-for-new-immigrant-writing/ 

SELF-PUBLISHING LITERARY AWARDS

Black Caucus of the American Library Association

INFO: The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in the following genres: Fiction and Poetry. The judging committee will be comprised of a BCALA-appointed panel. They will select one winner in each genre.

PRIZES:

• Each genre prize winner shall receive: $500.00.
• Two (2) $500.00 awards: one for adult fiction, one for adult poetry;
• Formal recognition at the Black Caucus of ALA Literary Awards;
• BCALA Literary Award Seal to use in marketing.

DEADLINE: February 28, 2018

bcala.org/e-book-award/

 

THE 2018 ELIZA SO FELLOWSHIP

Submittable

INFO: Submittable is thrilled to announce the second annual Eliza So Fellowship, in partnership with The Writer’s Block and Plympton. This month-long residency in Las Vegas will offer award recipients time and solitude to help them finish a book that is already in progress. The program’s inaugural fellow was Melissa Sipin in 2017.

The 2018 fellowships will include room and board at The Writer’s Block, along with a $500 food stipend and $400 toward travel.  They are pleased to expand the program this year to offer two residencies between September and December, and awarded in the following categories:

• The Eliza So Fellowship for Immigrant Writers
• The Eliza So Fellowship for Montana Indigenous Writers

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

•  You have a novel, collection of stories, memoir, or other prose work (fiction, nonfiction or hybrid) in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum)  
• You are either: a) A US immigrant (documented or undocumented), b) An indigenous writer with significant ties to Montana (either you are from Montana, live in Montana currently, or have another significant affiliation with Montana).

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: March 25, 2018
• Results Announced: June 1, 2018

blog.submittable.com/2017/12/the-2018-eliza-so-fellowship/

ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM       

The Jerome Foundation

INFO: The Jerome Foundation is pleased to announce the first round of a new Artist Fellowship program that offers flexible, two-year grants to support the creative development of early-career generative artists in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. Artists may apply individually or together with other members of ongoing collectives or ensembles.

The Jerome Foundation makes a distinction between generative artists (those artists responsible for artistic control in generating entirely new work, including writers, choreographers, film directors, visual artists, composers, playwrights, etc.) and interpretive artists (those who interpret or execute the work created by others, including actors, editors, dramaturgs, singers, dancers, musicians, designers, etc.). The Foundation recognizes that some artists do both generative and interpretive work. Nevertheless, the Fellowship program supports only those artists with a significant history of generative work.

All eligible applicants must have a history of making and presenting new work to the public beyond student work (if the applicant has pursued formal training). While an applicant’s past projects are reviewed as part of the selection process, the program’s primary focus is supporting an artist’s future potential through the creation of new work or activities that support professional development and/or career advancement.

The Foundation will make 10 grants in each of six categories:

• Dance
• Literature (fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry)
• ·Media—including Film, Video and Digital Production (documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental) and New Media (artistic work that is computational and distributed digitally, in the form of websites, mobile apps, virtual worlds, computer games, human-computer interface or interactive computer installations)
• Music
• Theater, Performance and Spoken Word
• Visual arts

Artists whose work spans multiple disciplines may request to be reviewed in two different disciplines. The Foundation reserves the right, however, to direct such applications to a single panel.

AWARD: Each fellow will receive $20,000 per year for two consecutive years, making the total cash award $40,000 over the two-year period. Individual artists may petition the Foundation to reduce the award amount but must present specific, compelling reasons to do so. Artists applying as part of a collective or ensemble will share one $20,000 per year award.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Period:  Now through May 8, 2018 at 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern Time
• Notification of grant awards: By April 15, 2019
• Earliest Date to Receive Funds: May 8, 2019

jeromefdn.org/apply/artist-fellowship

FICTION / NONFICTION -- JANUARY 2018

THE 2018 ELIZA SO FELLOWSHIP

Submittable

INFO: Submittable is thrilled to announce the second annual Eliza So Fellowship, in partnership with The Writer’s Block and Plympton. This month-long residency in Las Vegas will offer award recipients time and solitude to help them finish a book that is already in progress. The program’s inaugural fellow was Melissa Sipin in 2017.

The 2018 fellowships will include room and board at The Writer’s Block, along with a $500 food stipend and $400 toward travel.  They are pleased to expand the program this year to offer two residencies between September and December, and awarded in the following categories:

• The Eliza So Fellowship for Immigrant Writers
• The Eliza So Fellowship for Montana Indigenous Writers

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

•  You have a novel, collection of stories, memoir, or other prose work (fiction, nonfiction or hybrid) in progress (100 pages minimum) or poetry collection in progress (30 pages minimum)  
• You are either: a) A US immigrant (documented or undocumented), b) An indigenous writer with significant ties to Montana (either you are from Montana, live in Montana currently, or have another significant affiliation with Montana).

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Submissions Open: January 1, 2018
• Deadline: March 25, 2018
• Results Announced: June 1, 2018

blog.submittable.com/2017/12/the-2018-eliza-so-fellowship/

 

THE CHRISTOPHER DOHENY AWARD 2017

The Center for Fiction

INFO: The Center for Fiction and Audible, Inc. are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the fifth annual Christopher Doheny Award. The award recognizes excellence in fiction or creative nonfiction on the topic of serious physical illness. The winner of the award must demonstrate both high literary standards and a broad audience appeal while exploring the impact of illness on the patient, family and friends, and others. With generous support from Audible, Inc. and the Doheny family and friends, the award includes a $10,000 prize and production and promotion of the book in an audio edition, with the option to pursue print publication with the assistance of Audible, Inc.

ELIGIBILITY: Writers must have previously published in literary journals or magazines, or have published a book with an independent or traditional publisher. Self-publication does not meet this guideline.

Only unpublished manuscripts written in English are eligible. Manuscripts should be at least 30,000 words. Both adult and YA manuscripts are eligible for the prize. If submitting a story collection, all pieces must relate in some way to the topic of serious illness. Works in progress and proposals are not eligible for consideration, nor are books currently under contract with a publisher.

In the event of a dispute as to eligibility, The Center for Fiction and Audible will decide whether a book is eligible, and their decision will be binding.

SELECTION PROCESS: A panel of three distinguished writers and two representatives of Audible, Inc. will judge the submissions.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF THE AWARDS: The author of the winning submission must agree to participate in related publicity, including posting audio and/or video or selections from the winning manuscript on the websites of The Center for Fiction and/or Audible, Inc.

DEADLINE: January 2, 2017

centerforfiction.org/awards/the-christopher-doheny-award/christopher-doheny-award-submission-guidelines/?mc_cid=f9bc619ee8&mc_eid=591acda9d1

WINTER 2018 LETTERPRESS PRINTING & FINE PRESS PUBLISHING SEMINAR

The Center for Book Arts

INFO: The Center for Book Arts invites applications for our Letterpress Publishing Seminar for Emerging Writers. The next session of this workshop is scheduled for winter 2018, January 17-21 (Wednesday - Sunday). The seminar is tuition free for participants and includes the cost of materials. Those selected must attend the entire five-day workshop.

Participants will hear lectures from various professionals in the field – printers, fine press publishers, book artists, and dealers, to get a practical overview of letterpress printing and small press publishing. They will learn the basics of letterpress printing, both traditional typesetting and options with new technology, by collaboratively printing a small edition of broadsides. This workshop is most suitable for those with little to no previous letterpress experience. Each seminar will be offered to a maximum of eight students. Writers from culturally diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. 

Applications will not be accepted from students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs during the program year (September 2017-May 2018.)

APPLICATION FEE: $20

DEADLINE: January 3, 2018

centerforbookarts.submittable.com/submit/101246/winter-2018-letterpress-printing-fine-press-publishing-seminar

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Rigorous

INFO: Rigorous is an online journal highlighting the works of authors, artists, critics, and educators of color. They publish fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, visual art, sound art, audiovisual art and movies, cartoons, and any other artistic creations by people of color. They accept all genres, and have a particular affinity for science fiction, superheroes, and other “geek” genres.

They seek essays on the personal experiences of people of color and interviews with interesting people of color. They seek critical analysis of art by people of color. They are especially interested in stories about and by educators of color, and the experience of teaching the works of people of color.

Rigorous is edited by Rosalyn Spencer and Kenyatta JP Garcia, with Associate Editor Carla Williams.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: January 5, 2018
• Issue Released: January 20, 2018

rigorous.submittable.com/submit

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Serendipity

INFO: Submissions for the annual print issue of Serendipity are open. They are particularly interested in work that grapples with the intersections of race, gender, disability, and sexuality in our current socio-political climate. LGBTQ women of color are strongly encouraged to submit. 

Please do not submit if you do not identify as a person of color.

Serendipity is a literary journal specializing in poetry, prose, and art that engages with issues of race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and intersecting identities. They seek work that explores, celebrates, and interrogates all aspects of our identities; and work that delights and beguiles our readerly sensibilities.  They are an online semi-annual, (Winter and Summer), and an annual print publication featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. Our goal is to publish exciting work that amplifies marginalized voices, particularly that of same-gender loving women of color.

They accept prose submissions under 5,000 words and no more than three (3) poems, in either .doc or .docx format. Please use 12pt font, 1-inch margins, and number your pages. Include your last name, genre, and title of the work in the header.

DEADLINE: January 15, 2018

serendipitylitmag.org/submit/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: INDIGENOUS FUTURISMS & IMAGINING THE DECOLONIAL

Anamaly

INFO: Anomaly is seeking poetry, short fiction, essays, art, multimedia, and hybrid work by indigenous people and colonized people of color.

Work should relate or respond to indigenous futurisms, indigenous futures, and/or imagining the decolonial (future, present, or past). Speculative and non-speculative work are both welcome. Imagine the future, re-imagine the past or present. Let’s talk about what future we’re fighting for. What lives we’re living, now.

Aceptamos trabajo en español o bilingüe, con o sin traducciones. Ang isyung ito ay bukas din sa mga gawang isinulat sa Tagalog o pinagsamang Tagalog at Ingles. Maaring magsama ng salin sa Ingles ngunit hindi ito kinakailangan.

They accept work in Spanish, Tagalog, and other languages, as well as bilingual work, with or without translations.
 
Please send work, as well as a brief bio, to decolonizeordie@gmail.com.

DEADLINE: January 15, 2018

medium.com/anomalyblog/call-for-submissions-indigenous-futurisms-imagining-the-decolonial-7a556a70404f

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SURVIVOR ISSUE

Radiant Health Magazine

INFO: Radiant Health magazine is dedicated to the discerning African woman and her journey to wellness through health, beauty + culture.

Radiant Issue No. 11 is the Survivor Issue. They are looking for article pitches of survival and what it means to be a survivor. Survival can mean living through a personal trauma (ie. disease, personal crime/attack, war, rape) or coping with the death of a family member/friend. They are open to creative individual interpretation of what it means to be a survivor as long as the angle is well-crafted, engaging and fits with the literary aesthetics of our publication. Interviews of individuals with a survival narrative are strongly encouraged and preferred--AND must correspond with section headings within the publication.  (If you have someone in mind who is an optimal fit for a feature article, please include in your pitch along with the relevant section category.) Please review most recent issue to see section categories, and examples of content and tone. 

PITCHES ONLY. Full articles will not be accepted at this time.

RIGHTS: Radiant Health Magazine retains first exclusive rights.

PAYMENT: Payment disclosed upon pitch acceptance.

DEADLINE: January 15, 2018

radianthealthmag.submittable.com/submit

KUNDIMAN ANNUAL RETREAT

INFO: In order to help mentor the next generation of Asian American writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual Retreat in partnership with Fordham University. During the Retreat, nationally renowned Asian American poets and writers conduct Master Classes and manuscript consultations with fellows. Readings, writing circles and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging Asian American writers. This five-day Retreat takes place from Wednesday to Sunday. Workshops will not exceed six students.

A nationally renowned Asian American writer facilitates each Master Class workshop. Fellows are assigned a home group for the duration of the retreat and the faculty rotates in the workshopping of each home group. The Kundiman Retreat is generative in nature and so Master Classes are focused on new work that is written at the Retreat. Master Classes include a craft talk, readings and prompts / exercises to generate this new work. Poetry fellows will receive a manuscript consultation on a 10 page manuscript. Fiction fellows will receive a manuscript consultation on a 15 page manuscript. Our hope is that fellows are able to forge a deeper relationship to their artistic process and are able to encounter their work with renewed focus and energy.  

LOCATION: The Kundiman Retreat is held at Fordham University's beautiful Rose Hill Campus located in the Bronx, NYC.

ELIGIBILITY: The Retreat is open to anyone who self-identifies as Asian American. 

FEES:

• The non-refundable tuition fee is $375. Room and board provided free to accepted fellows.
• The application fee is $25.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Deadline: January 15, 2018
• Retreat: June 20 - 24, 2018

kundiman.org/retreat/

2018 YEMASSEE JOURNAL FICTION CONTEST

INFO: Yemassee is accepting entries for its 2017 Writing Prizes, including the 2017 Fiction Contest. The author of the winning story will receive $750 and publication in Yemassee 24.2. The editors will select ten finalists and pass those stories on to the guest judge. The ten finalists will receive acknowledgment and all entries will be considered for publication in an upcoming issue of Yemassee.

ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS: To enter, submit one story up to 7500 words. An entry fee of $17 must accompany each entry.

DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTION: Entries accompanied by $20 qualify the submitter for a one-year subscription to Yemassee. Please select the appropriate fee category. 

DEADLINE: January 15, 2018

yemasseejournal.com/fiction-contest/

HELENE WURLITZER FOUNDATION RETREAT

INFO: The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico provides residency grants to people who specialize in the creative arts. The foundation accepts applications from and offers residency grants to painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, screenwriters, composers, photographers and filmmakers, of national and international origin.

The Foundation offers three months of rent-free and utility-paid housing to grantees. Our eleven guest houses, or casitas, are fully furnished and provide residents with a peaceful setting in which to pursue their creative endeavors.

The HWF also provides academic scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing degrees in the creative arts.

The Foundation offers three sessions a year: 
• Session 1 (mid January - mid April) 
• Session 2 (June - mid August) 
• Session 3 (early September - early December)

What is included in the residency?

The HWF grants rent-free and utility-paid housing on the foundation campus, providing artists with their own fully furnished home and a peaceful setting in which to pursue their creative endeavors. The HWF places no expectations or requirements on the artists in residence; It is the gift of time and space. In addition to the casitas, the HWF campus includes the Commons House w/ wi-fi, Library, The Main House, and laundry facilities. Residents are responsible for their own food and transportation, although the Foundation does provide bicycles for artists in residence. 

What artistic disciplines are eligible for a residency grant?

• Visual artists: painters, illustrators, photographers, sculptors, filmmakers, ceramicists 
• Literary artists: writers, poets, playwrights & screenwriters 
• Music composers and songwriters

Literary artists must submit hard-copy work samples. Include a cover sheet containing your contact info and table of contents, but please omit names and contact info on the writing samples themselves. 

• Writers: samples should not exceed 35 double-spaced pages 
• Poets: a maximum of six poems. 
• Playwrights: include one complete play. 
• Screenwriters: include one complete screenplay. 

APPLICATION FEE: $25

DEADLINE: January 18, 2018

wurlitzerfoundation.org/apply

NYSCA / NYFA ARTIST FELLOWSHIP

New York Foundation for the Arts

INFO: NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships, awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period, are $7,000 cash awards made to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use. These fellowships are not project grants but are intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development.

ARTIST FELLOWSHIP CATEGORIES:

• Fiction
• Folk/Traditional Arts
• Interdisciplinary Work
• Painting
• Video/Film

(Includes the Joanne Chen Fellowship awarded annually to a Taiwanese American artist resident in New York. The winner of this award will receive an unrestricted grant of $7,000.) 

DEADLINE: January 24, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST

nyfa.org/Content/Show/Artists'%20Fellowships

 

WORKSPACE 2018-2019

Lower Manhattan Cultural Council

INFO: Workspace is a nine-month studio residency program that focuses on creative practice development for emerging artists working across all disciplines, LMCC’s Workspace program offers space for experimentation and dialogue with peers and arts professionals, as well as career-advancement opportunities. Workspace encourages creative risk-taking, collaboration, learning and skill-sharing at a critical early stage of an artist’s career and serves between 15 and 20 individuals or collaborative groups annually. Emerging visual artists, performing artists, and writers working in all media and genres are eligible to apply.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Deadline: Thursday, January 25, 2018 at 5:00pm
• Residency: September 2018 – May 2019

lmcc.net/program/workspace/?mc_cid=6b45a54c82&mc_eid=2bec2fd1bc

THE SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL AUDIO FICTION AWARDS

INFO: The Sarah Lawrence College International Audio Fiction Awards is now accepting submissions! 

PRIZE: Winners will receive $4000 in cash prizes ($2000 for first place, $1000 for second place, $500 for third place, $250 for Best New Artist and $250 for Sarahs' Sarah Award) and be celebrated at an award ceremony on April 23, 2018 at New York City's Players' Club. 

TO BE ELIGIBLE: 

• Entries must have been produced between February 2017 and February 2018.
• Entries must be between 3 minutes and 60 minutes in length. 
• Each entry will be judged individually.
• Serialized works are allowed to enter, but the entry for each series can be no more than 60 minutes. Those choosing to enter series can use that time however they want. You can upload an episode that you believe is representative of the series, provide excerpts from multiple episodes, etc. The entry can not be more than 60 minutes. Each entry will be judged individually.
• Entries of all languages are admissible. However, if your works are not in English, you must provide a transcript in English. 
• They cannot offer individual critiques of declined audio or reasons for declining audio from the nominations. 
• All works must be fiction–no documentaries will be accepted. (However, mockumentaries will be happily accepted.)
• Questions? Email us at info@thesarahawards.com.
• You may submit as many entries as you like.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Each entry should consist of one audio file. (MP3)
• Entries are only accepted through Submittable. There you will find clear instructions for uploading your story. If you need help or have any questions, please email us: info@thesarahawards.com

FEES & DEADLINE: 

• Free for student entries.
• $40 for all entries uploaded by Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 5 p.m. EST
• Entries uploaded after Friday, January 31, 2018 by 5 p.m. EST will not be judged.
• All entries may be considered for the The Sarahs’ Serendipity podcast. 

thesarahawards.com/rules/

ANAPHORA WRITING RESIDENCY

Otis College of Art and Design 

INFO: Anaphora Writing Residency is a ten-day program, designed exclusively for writers of color. The residency will provide genre-specific workshops in fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction. Workshops are held with small groups that meet five or six times throughout the residency. Faculty will also be available for consultation sessions. The residency will feature lectures by faculty, visiting writers, and other guests; roundtable discussions on topics about the literary and publishing industry; a keynote address; pitch madness sessions; and different networking opportunities with fellow writers and professionals from the publishing industry. Participants will also have the opportunity give and attend readings, as well as participate in field trips to local museums and art galleries in Los Angeles. Participants who are also visual artists may have the opportunity to sign up for a master class with the critic-in-residence.  

The fee to attend the residency is $3,000, which includes room and board. Notifications will be sent out via email in early March. A $350 deposit fee is required to secure your spot in the residency after notifications go out and the full balance is due in early May. 

A limited number of fellowships are available based on merit and financial need; six partial fellowships ($1,500 each), and two full fellowships ($3,000 each) will be available. Additionally, Anaphora Literary Arts will support two partial fellowships ($1,500 each). Fellowships do not provide a travel stipend. If you would like to be considered for a fellowship, please submit your application by the priority deadline, January 15, 2018.

APPLICATION FEE: $20

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: January 31, 2018
• Residency: May 31 – June 9, 2018

Participants must apply by the priority deadline of January 15, 2018 to be considered for fellowships. 

otis.edu/anaphora-writing-residency

 

CAINE PRIZE FOR AFRICAN WRITING

INFO: The Caine Prize for African Writing is a literature prize awarded to an African writer of a short story published in English. The prize was launched in 2000 to encourage and highlight the richness and diversity of African writing by bringing it to a wider audience internationally. The focus on the short story reflects the contemporary development of the African story-telling tradition.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2018

http://caineprize.com/how-to-enter/

GRAYWOLF PRESS NONFICTION PRIZE

INFO: The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize is awarded to a manuscript in progress, submissions for the prize are held every other year to allow for the longer lead time needed to develop and publish the winning manuscripts. The next prize will be held in January 2018.

A $12,000 advance and publication by Graywolf will be awarded to the most promising and innovative literary nonfiction project by a writer not yet established in the genre. The prize will be awarded to a manuscript in progress. They request that authors send a long sample from their manuscript, as well as a description of the work, as detailed below. They expect that they will work with the winner of the prize and provide editorial guidance toward the completion of the project. The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize emphasizes innovation in form, and they want to see projects that test the boundaries of literary nonfiction. They are less interested in straightforward memoirs, and they turn down a large number of them every year. Before submitting your manuscript for the prize, please look at the books previously published as winners of the prize for examples of the type of work that we are seeking. 

The Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize seeks to acknowledge—and honor—the great traditions of literary nonfiction. Whether grounded in observation, autobiography, or research, much of the most beautiful, daring, and original writing over the past few decades can be categorized as nonfiction. Submissions to the prize might span memoir, biography, or history.

Eligibility: Any writer who is not yet established in the genre and resides in the United States is eligible. Writers do not need to have prior publication to be eligible. We will consider one submission per person.  Agented submissions are also welcome. Manuscripts submitted for previous years’ prizes will not be reconsidered unless resubmission has been specifically requested by Graywolf’s editors or the judge. Graywolf’s editors and the prize judge reserve the right to invite submissions or make exceptions.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2018

graywolfpress.org/graywolf-press-nonfiction-prize

HURSTON / WRIGHT COLLEGE WRITERS AWARD

The Zora Neale Hurston / Richard Wright Foundation

INFO: The Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is proud to host the annual Hurston/Wright Awards for College Writers, which is the only award of its kind that recognizes Black college writers. The award is the foundation’s first program. It was initiated to support emerging Black artists in fiction and poetry enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate school program anywhere in the United States.   

Submissions will be judged by distinguished published authors in fiction and poetry. Writers will be notified in March whether their submissions were accepted or not accepted. Awards, which include a cash prize, will be announced in May. Award winners will be invited to attend the Legacy Award ceremony that is hosted in October in Washington, DC.

ENTRY FEE: $25

DEADLINE: January 31, 2018

https://hurstonwrightfoundation.submittable.com/submit

2018 SHORT STORY CONTEST

Little Tokyo Historical Society

INFO: The Little Tokyo Historical Society (LTHS) seeks fictional short stories for its fifth annual Imagine Little Tokyo short story contest in the categories of English language, Japanese language and youth (18 and younger).

The purpose of the contest is to raise awareness of Little Tokyo through a creative story that takes place in Little Tokyo. The story has to be fictional and set in a current, past or future Little Tokyo in the City of Los Angeles, California.

AWARD: Each category winner will be awarded $500 in cash with their short story being published in The Rafu Shimpo and Discover Nikkei website. A public award ceremony and dramatic readings of the winning stories are also being planned for spring 2018.

DEADLINE: January 31, 2018

littletokyohs.org/short-story-contest.html

ANISFIELD-WOLF FELLOWSHIP IN WRITING & PUBLISHING

Cleveland State University Poetry Center

INFO: The Cleveland State University Poetry Center is accepting applications for the Anisfield-Wolf Fellowship in Writing & Publishing, a two-year post-graduate fellowship that offers an emerging writer time to work toward a first or second book and an opportunity to gain experience in editing, publishing, literary programming, and outreach in collaboration with the staff of the CSU Poetry Center.

The CSU Poetry Center is a 55+-year-old independent nonprofit press that publishes 3–5 books of contemporary poetry, prose, and translation each year. The Poetry Center also hosts the Lighthouse Reading Series and serves as a teaching lab for undergraduate and graduate students at Cleveland State University and within the Northeast Ohio MFA program. The Fellow will be a two-year employee of the CSU English department. The salary is $40,000 per year with health insurance and benefits.

The fellowship will encompass two academic-year (9-month) residencies of 30 hours per week, divided between writing, work at the CSU Poetry Center, and an outreach project of the Fellow’s own design. Poetry Center work will include reviewing submissions, attending editorial meetings, and assisting with Center contests. Possible outreach projects include (but are not limited to): developing an anthology incorporating authors from an underrepresented community; organizing community writing workshops; developing a reading series to engage previously underserved communities; or working with a local organization involved in education, social justice, and the literary arts. The project should be designed and completed in the two years in which the Fellow is in residence. It is expected that this work will further engage an already enthusiastic writing community at Cleveland State University and throughout Cleveland. Additional professional development opportunities for the Fellow will include participation in Cleveland Book Week and public readings of their work for the Cleveland literary community.

This fellowship is named for and supported by the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards, which honor literature that promotes equity and social justice and are administered through the Cleveland Foundation. Through the creation of this fellowship, Anisfield-Wolf and the CSU Poetry Center hope to support writers from backgrounds and with perspectives historically underrepresented in publishing and creative writing programming. By providing editorial experience and opportunities at a literary press, the fellowship also aims to help address the longstanding lack of diversity in the U.S. publishing workforce.

Cleveland poet and philanthropist Edith Anisfield Wolf established the book awards in 1935 in honor of her father, John Anisfield, and husband, Eugene Wolf, to reflect her family’s passion for social justice and the rich diversity of human cultures. Founded with a focus on combating racism in America, the Anisfield-Wolf Awards today maintain that commitment to equity and justice in an expanded, global context. Recent winners, for example, have also addressed religious identity, immigrant experiences, LGBTQ+ history, and the lives of people with disabilities.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2017

csupoetrycenter.com/news-1/2017/12/13/anisfield-wolf-fellowship-in-writing-publishing

U.S.-JAPAN CREATIVE ARTISTS EXCHANGE FELLOWSHIPS

Japan-United States Friendship Commission

INFO: The Japan U.S. Friendship Commission offers leading contemporary and traditional artists from the United States the opportunity to spend three to five months in Japan through the U.S.-Japan Creative Artists Program.  Artists go as seekers, as cultural visionaries, and as living liaisons to the traditional and contemporary cultural life of Japan.  They also go as connectors who share knowledge and bring back knowledge. Their interaction with the Japanese public and the outlook they bring home provide exceptional opportunities to promote cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.

Since 1978, the Japan-US Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) have worked  with the Agency for Cultural Affairs in Japan and the International House of Japan (I-House) to organize the United States-Japan Creative Artists’ Program. Each year five leading U.S.-based artists, representing all genres, are selected from the United States and are provided funding to spend three months in Japan.

This residency program allows the artists to research and experience both the traditional and contemporary artistic milieu of Japan. Artists are free to live anywhere in the country to pursue activities of greatest relevance to their creative process. While many artists chose to remain in Tokyo, others live in Kyoto or other cities, and still others work in rural settings or travel around the countryside. The International House of Japan provides in-depth orientation materials, expert advice and professional contacts, as well as logistical support during the residency period.

Primary Eligibility:

• Candidates must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
• Candidates must live and work professionally primarily in the United States.
• Candidates must be professional creative artists (contemporary or traditional) working as: architects, choreographers, composers, creative writers, designers, media artists, playwrights, librettists, visual artists and solo theater artists who work with original material (including puppeteers, and performance artists). For additional eligibility requirements, please click here.

AWARD: A grant award of $20,000 for three months, and $28,000 for up to five months will be provided to each artist to cover housing, living and professional expenses.  Artists will be responsible for converting their U.S. Dollar award into Japanese Yen.  The Commission will also provide grantees up to $2,000 to cover the cost of their round-trip transportation to Japan.

DEADLINE: February 1, 2018 at 11:59 EST

jusfc.gov/creative-artists-programs/

 

ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM       

The Jerome Foundation

INFO: The Jerome Foundation is pleased to announce the first round of a new Artist Fellowship program that offers flexible, two-year grants to support the creative development of early-career generative artists in the state of Minnesota and the five boroughs of New York City. Artists may apply individually or together with other members of ongoing collectives or ensembles.

The Jerome Foundation makes a distinction between generative artists (those artists responsible for artistic control in generating entirely new work, including writers, choreographers, film directors, visual artists, composers, playwrights, etc.) and interpretive artists (those who interpret or execute the work created by others, including actors, editors, dramaturgs, singers, dancers, musicians, designers, etc.). The Foundation recognizes that some artists do both generative and interpretive work. Nevertheless, the Fellowship program supports only those artists with a significant history of generative work.

All eligible applicants must have a history of making and presenting new work to the public beyond student work (if the applicant has pursued formal training). While an applicant’s past projects are reviewed as part of the selection process, the program’s primary focus is supporting an artist’s future potential through the creation of new work or activities that support professional development and/or career advancement.

The Foundation will make 10 grants in each of six categories:

• Dance
• Literature (fiction, creative non-fiction and poetry)
• ·Media—including Film, Video and Digital Production (documentary, narrative, animation, or experimental) and New Media (artistic work that is computational and distributed digitally, in the form of websites, mobile apps, virtual worlds, computer games, human-computer interface or interactive computer installations)
• Music
• Theater, Performance and Spoken Word
• Visual arts

Artists whose work spans multiple disciplines may request to be reviewed in two different disciplines. The Foundation reserves the right, however, to direct such applications to a single panel.

AWARD: Each fellow will receive $20,000 per year for two consecutive years, making the total cash award $40,000 over the two-year period. Individual artists may petition the Foundation to reduce the award amount but must present specific, compelling reasons to do so. Artists applying as part of a collective or ensemble will share one $20,000 per year award.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Period:  Now through May 8, 2018 at 4pm Central / 5pm Eastern Time
• Notification of grant awards: By April 15, 2019
• Earliest Date to Receive Funds: May 8, 2019

jeromefdn.org/apply/artist-fellowship

iSTORY

Narrative

INFO: An iStory is a short, dramatic narrative, fiction or nonfiction, up to 150 words long. They are particularly interested in works that give readers a strong sense of having read a full and complete story in a brief space.

AWARD: $100 for each iStory accepted for publication.

SUBMISSION FEE: There is a $22 fee for each submission. And with your submission, you’ll receive three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage.

narrativemagazine.com/iStory

FICTION / NONFICTION - DECEMBER 2017

2018 BRONX RECOGNIZES ITS OWN (BRIO) AWARD FOR LITERARY ARTS

Bronx Council on the Arts

INFO: Bronx Recognizes Its Own (BRIO) provides direct support to individual Bronx artists who create literary, media, visual, and performing works of art. 

BRIO awardees must complete a one-time public service activity to receive their complete cash award. Known as ACE (Artists for Community Enrichment), this activity is an essential component for all BRIO recipients and must be performed within the one-year period of their award.  ACE provides artists with additional visibility and demonstrates to the community the wealth of artistic talent available in our borough.

AWARD: Grants of $4,000 will be awarded to Bronx artists. BRIO award winners complete a one-time public service activity. The awards are based solely on artistic excellence. Winners are selected by a panel of arts professionals representing the award disciplines.

 SELECTION OF AWARDS

The selection of awards is based solely on artistic excellence – the quality of work submitted – and decided by a panel of arts professionals. A new panel is convened each year. All materials and information involved in the selection process are kept confidential and are viewed anonymously by the panelists. When the application is received, a code number is assigned to each application and its corresponding material. The applicant's coded submission is the only information available to the panelists for review. Materials not meeting the submission guidelines will render an application ineligible.

AWARD NOTIFICATION
Decisions will be e-mailed to all applicants approximately four months after the deadline date. Winners will be invited to a ceremony in June of 2018 at which they will be honored and receive the Award.They are then required to complete a one-time community service activity known as Artist for Community Enrichment (ACE) within a year. All BRIO awards are subject to verification of information submitted and proof of Bronx residency.

DEADLINE: December 8, 2017 

bronxcouncilonthearts.submittable.com/submit/92850/2018-bronx-recognizes-its-own-brio-award-for-literary-arts

 

CALL FOR SUBMISSION – “HOMELAND”

On She Goes

INFO: On She Goes is a platform for, by, and about women of color & travel. Each quarter features a fresh, new theme around the world of travel. In Fall 2017 they're excited to explore the idea of Homeland. 

There's the cliche: Home is where the heart is. Home can be more than four walls and a roof, a zip code, or the wide expanse that lives within a border. Some of us are often asked, "Where are you from? No really where are you from?" or made to feel like we don't belong in cities and countries that we've called our home. As women of color, we've had to create our own spaces and belonging, and we want to know more about what it means to travel to one's homeland.

How were you shaped by the visit back to the country where you or your parents were born? How does your travel influence how you think about what one's homeland is? Is your homeland not a physical landscape, but something more abstract? Do you have a fun and funny story about "going back" that you'd think would resonate with our readers? Is your homeland less of a physical place, is it a favorite food, song, or person? Travel and homeland can feel complicated and comforting, and we want to hear about it!
* Payment varies, depending on the assigned piece.  

DEADLINE: December 15, 2017

onshegoes.submittable.com/submit/93188/on-she-goes-homeland-theme

THE HURSTON / WRIGHT LEGACY AWARD

Hurston / Wright Foundation

INFO: The Hurston/Wright Legacy Awards are open to Black writers in America and across the globe. Full-length books of debut fiction, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, as well as collections of short stories, and collections of essays by one author. (All works must be newly published. E-books are not eligible.)

APPLICATON FEE: $40

DEADLINE: December 15, 2017

hurstonwright.org/book-submissions/

BCALA LITERARY AWARDS

Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. 

INFO: The Literary Awards Committee of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) is now accepting submissions for the annual BCALA Literary Awards. The Committee will present four prizes of $500.00 each for adult books written by African American authors: a First Novelist Award, a Fiction Award, a Nonfiction Award, and a Poetry Award. The First Novelist Award is given to recognize an outstanding work by a first time African American fiction writer. Honor Book citations are also awarded in fiction and nonfiction without any accompanying monetary remuneration. Additionally, an Outstanding Contribution to Publishing citation is provided to an author and/or publishing company for unique books that offer a positive depiction of African Americans.

First presented at the Second National Conference of African American Librarians in 1994, the BCALA Literary Awards acknowledge outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences by African American authors. Recipients of these awards offer outstanding depictions of the cultural, historical or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora and embody the highest quality of writing style and research methodology, if applicable.

Books from small, large and specialty publishers are welcome for review consideration. Titles forwarded for review must be published in 2017. Sets or multi-volume works are eligible. New editions of previously published works are eligible only if more than 30% of the total content is new or revised material. Inspirational, self-help, and adult graphic novels are ineligible. Only finished, published books should be submitted; galleys (bound or unbound) and chapbooks are unacceptable.

Please send one copy of each title submitted to each member of the Literary Awards Committee. A Committee roster with their addresses can be found at here.

Supply all available information regarding the submission, including promotional material, author biography and available news articles and reviews.

BCALA Literary Awards Criteria
BCALA presents four (4) $500.00 awards: one for adult fiction, one for nonfiction, one for a first novelist and one for poetry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.

• The Fiction Award recognizes depictions of sensitive and authentic personal experience either within the framework of contemporary literary standards and themes or which explore innovative literary formats.
• The Nonfiction Award honors cultural, historical, political, or social criticism or academic and/or professional research which significantly advances the body of knowledge currently associated with the people and the legacy of the Black Diaspora. (Categories could include the humanities, science and technology, social and behavioral sciences and reference).
• The First Novelist Award acknowledges outstanding achievement in writing and storytelling by a first time fiction writer.
• The Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation recognizes the author and/or the publishing company (for their support and publication of) special and unique books that recognize the outstanding achievements and positive depiction of contributions of the people and legacy of the Black Diaspora.
• The Poetry Award strives to recognize and promote emerging and established poets that introduce and foster the joys of poetry writing.

Additionally, honor books may be selected in each category.
Purpose: To encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and scholarly research including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African Americans.

Criteria:

• Must portray some aspect of the African American experience past, present or future.
• All authors, editors and contributors must be African American(s) born in the United States.
• Must be published in the United States in the year preceding presentation of the award.
• Must be an original work.

DEADLINE: December 29, 2017

bcala.org/book-award/

THE CHRISTOPHER DOHENY AWARD 2017

The Center for Fiction

INFO: The Center for Fiction and Audible, Inc. are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for the fifth annual Christopher Doheny Award. The award recognizes excellence in fiction or creative nonfiction on the topic of serious physical illness. The winner of the award must demonstrate both high literary standards and a broad audience appeal while exploring the impact of illness on the patient, family and friends, and others. With generous support from Audible, Inc. and the Doheny family and friends, the award includes a $10,000 prize and production and promotion of the book in an audio edition, with the option to pursue print publication with the assistance of Audible, Inc.

ELIGIBILITY: Writers must have previously published in literary journals or magazines, or have published a book with an independent or traditional publisher. Self-publication does not meet this guideline.

Only unpublished manuscripts written in English are eligible. Manuscripts should be at least 30,000 words. Both adult and YA manuscripts are eligible for the prize. If submitting a story collection, all pieces must relate in some way to the topic of serious illness. Works in progress and proposals are not eligible for consideration, nor are books currently under contract with a publisher.

In the event of a dispute as to eligibility, The Center for Fiction and Audible will decide whether a book is eligible, and their decision will be binding.

SELECTION PROCESS: A panel of three distinguished writers and two representatives of Audible, Inc. will judge the submissions.

ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OF THE AWARDS: The author of the winning submission must agree to participate in related publicity, including posting audio and/or video or selections from the winning manuscript on the websites of The Center for Fiction and/or Audible, Inc.

DEADLINE: January 2, 2017

centerforfiction.org/awards/the-christopher-doheny-award/christopher-doheny-award-submission-guidelines/?mc_cid=f9bc619ee8&mc_eid=591acda9d1

Winter 2018 Letterpress Printing & Fine Press Publishing Seminar

The Center for Book Arts

INFO: The Center for Book Arts invites applications for our Letterpress Publishing Seminar for Emerging Writers. The next session of this workshop is scheduled for winter 2018, January 17-21 (Wednesday - Sunday). The seminar is tuition free for participants and includes the cost of materials. Those selected must attend the entire five-day workshop.

Participants will hear lectures from various professionals in the field – printers, fine press publishers, book artists, and dealers, to get a practical overview of letterpress printing and small press publishing. They will learn the basics of letterpress printing, both traditional typesetting and options with new technology, by collaboratively printing a small edition of broadsides. This workshop is most suitable for those with little to no previous letterpress experience. Each seminar will be offered to a maximum of eight students. Writers from culturally diverse backgrounds are especially encouraged to apply. 

Applications will not be accepted from students enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs during the program year (September 2017-May 2018.)

APPLICATION FEE: $20

DEADLINE: January 3, 2018

centerforbookarts.submittable.com/submit/101246/winter-2018-letterpress-printing-fine-press-publishing-seminar

THE SARAH LAWRENCE COLLEGE INTERNATIONAL AUDIO FICTION AWARDS

INFO: The Sarah Lawrence College International Audio Fiction Awards is now accepting submissions! 

PRIZE: Winners will receive $4000 in cash prizes ($2000 for first place, $1000 for second place, $500 for third place, $250 for Best New Artist and $250 for Sarahs' Sarah Award) and be celebrated at an award ceremony on April 23, 2018 at New York City's Players' Club. 

TO BE ELIGIBLE: 

• Entries must have been produced between February 2017 and February 2018.
• Entries must be between 3 minutes and 60 minutes in length. 
• Each entry will be judged individually.
• Serialized works are allowed to enter, but the entry for each series can be no more than 60 minutes. Those choosing to enter series can use that time however they want. You can upload an episode that you believe is representative of the series, provide excerpts from multiple episodes, etc. The entry can not be more than 60 minutes. Each entry will be judged individually.
• Entries of all languages are admissible. However, if your works are not in English, you must provide a transcript in English. 
• They cannot offer individual critiques of declined audio or reasons for declining audio from the nominations. 
• All works must be fiction–no documentaries will be accepted. (However, mockumentaries will be happily accepted.)
• Questions? Email us at info@thesarahawards.com.
• You may submit as many entries as you like.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Each entry should consist of one audio file. (MP3)
• Entries are only accepted through Submittable. There you will find clear instructions for uploading your story. If you need help or have any questions, please email us: info@thesarahawards.com

FEES & DEADLINE: 

• Free for student entries.
• $40 for all entries uploaded between Saturday, December 2, 2017 through Wednesday, January 31, 2018 at 5 p.m. EST
• Entries uploaded after Friday, January 31, 2018 by 5 p.m. EST will not be judged.
• All entries may be considered for the The Sarahs’ Serendipity podcast. 

thesarahawards.com/rules/

FICTION / NONFICTION - NOVEMBER 2017

2017 QUEER SOUTHEAST ASIA BOOK AWARD

INFO: The award is open to all emerging Southeast Asian writers. It comes with SGD 1,000 (tax-free) and book publication. The winning manuscript will be critically introduced by one of the editors of Queer Southeast Asia: a literary journal of transgressive art.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

1. Full-length manuscript without the author’s identifying information and acknowledgments. Submitted manuscripts should not be under consideration in another competition or for publication by another press. PDF copy only.

• For poetry submissions -- Submissions must be in Times New Roman (font size 12) and single-spaced with 1 inch margin on all sides. Page number must appear consecutively at the center of the bottom margin of each page.
• For prose submissions -- Submissions must be in Times New Roman (font size 12) and double-spaced with 1 inch margin on all sides. Page number must appear consecutively at the center of the bottom margin of each page.
• Note: prose genres except novel.

2. The author must provide an essay (2-4 pages; single-spaced) answering the questions below. The essay must appear in the manuscript after the title page and before the contents.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The essay will not be judged. Submitting writers should take this requirement as a way to introduce the context/s within which they write and the things they do in order to create or be creative. In addition, the questions below are supposed to be just guide questions. If submitting writers feel they should avoid these questions and respond to others not stated here, they may freely do so.

• Question 1 -- As an artist, what of (queer) Southeast Asia are you concerned the most?
• Question 2 -- How is your submitted manuscript relevant to (queer) Southeast Asia?
• Question 3 -- What politics, frameworks, or conditions shaped your manuscript and the writing of your manuscript?
• Question 4 -- What kind of impact do you wish your manuscript to incite?

3. The author’s curriculum vitae. No prescribed length. PDF copy only.

Note: The author's CV will not be judged. The author should submit only one manuscript.

DEADLINE: November 1, 2017.

queersoutheastasia.com/book-prize

TWF Very Short Fiction Contest

Tennessee Williams Festival

INFO: This contest is open only to writers who have not yet published a book of fiction. Only previously unpublished stories will be accepted.

ENTRY FEE: $10

AWARD:

• $500
• Passes to Panels and Master Classes ($200 Value)
• Public reading at a literary panel at the next Festival
• Publication in New Orleans Review Web Features
• The top nine finalists will have their names published on this site.

DEADLINE: November 8, 2017

tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit/42271/twf-poetry-contest

Guernica Fellowship Program

INFO: Guernica is looking for applicants to join its spring/summer fellowship class. The program, which runs from the beginning of January through June, aims to provide deep training in magazine editing and production, coupled with opportunities to work on a dedicated writing or multimedia project with an editor-mentor. They estimate the weekly time commitment to be from ten to fifteen hours. Up to five emerging writers, editors, and multimedia journalists will be selected for a six-month fellowship, which will include:

• Opportunities to work across the editorial planning and production cycle of the magazine
• Fact-checking and copy editing
• Reading submissions
• Contributing ideas for forthcoming issues
• Assisting with publicity and social media
• Developing at least one piece for publication
• Mentorship from senior staff and training from industry professionals

Their focus when reviewing applications will be on finding emerging writers, journalists, and editors with clear passion for digital publishing and literary reportage, and evident intellectual curiosity.

DEADLINE: November 10, 2017

guernicamagazine.submittable.com/submit/64351/guernica-fellowship-program

INDIGENOUS WRITING CONTEST

Second Story Press

INFO: Second Story Press is holding its second contest for contemporary writing for young readers that reflects the modern experiences and perspectives of Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit) peoples. Writers are invited to submit their original, previously unpublished manuscripts.

PRIZE: The winners of the contest will be offered a publishing contract from Second Story Press.

To be eligible, entrants must identify as an Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit) person; be 18 years of age or older; be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada; and be the sole creator and owner of the rights to the submitted work(s).

Submissions must:

• Be written for an audience of young readers (between ages 4 to 18).
• Be manuscripts of either fiction (chapter books and novels), non-fiction, or picture books. We will not accept poetry, plays, short stories or short story collections.
• Be primarily written in English, or provide an English translation.
• Be previously unpublished and not currently under consideration by another publisher.

DEADLINE: November 15, 2017

secondstorypress.ca/indigenous-contest

30 BELOW CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: Narrative invites all writers and poets between eighteen and thirty years old to send their best work. Works of prose and of poetry, including short stories, all poetic forms, novel excerpts, essays, memoirs, and excerpts from book-length nonfiction. Prose submissions must not exceed 15,000 words. Each poetry submission may contain up to five poems. The poems should all be contained in a single file. 

AWARDS:

• First Prize: $1,500
• Second Prize: $750
• Third Prize: $300
• Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each

SUBMISSION FEE: $24 fee for each entry (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage).

DEADLINE: November 19, 2017

http://www.narrativemagazine.com/node/382367

FALL 2017 STORY CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: The Fall Contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. Narrative is looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction.  

Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

AWARDS:

• First Prize: $2,500
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500
• Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each

SUBMISSION FEE: $24 fee for each entry (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage).

DEADLINE: November 30, 2017

narrativemagazine.com/fall-2017-story-contest

TWF Fiction Contest

Tennessee Williams Festival

INFO: This contest is open only to writers who have not yet published a book of fiction. Only previously unpublished stories will be accepted.

ENTRY FEE: $25

AWARD:

• $1,500
• Domestic airfare (up to $500) and French Quarter accommodations to attend the Festival in New Orleans
• VIP All-Access Festival pass for the next Festival ($600 value)
• Public reading at a literary panel at the next Festival
• Publication in Louisiana Literature
• The top nine finalists will receive a panel pass ($75 value) to the Festival. Their names will be published on this site.

DEADLINE: November 30, 2017

tennesseewilliamsfestival.submittable.com/submit/42265/twf-fiction-contest

THE 2018 GOLDEN BOABAB PRIZE CALL FOR SUBMISSION

INFO: Golden Baobab is pleased to announce the call for submissions for the 2018 Golden Baobab Prize. The Prize discovers and celebrates African writers and illustrators of children's stories and confers awards for their work. After enjoying nine successful years as an industry leader, Golden Baobab this year announces an exciting new phase with a heavier focus on publishing. It also announces the re-opening of the Golden Baobab Prize for Illustrators, the most important award for African children's book illustrators.

The 2018 Golden Baobab Prize offers a distinct platform for professional African writers and illustrators to kick-start their careers. The Prize will work to facilitate relationships between African publishers and finalist writers and illustrators with the goal to see more African children's books being published. In view of this, Golden Baobab is excited to expand its publishing network and increase its impact in more countries.

• The Golden Baobab Prize for Picture Books, for the best story targeting a reader audience of ages 4-8.
• The Golden Baobab Prize for Early Chapter Books for the best story targeting a reader audience of ages 9-11.
• The Golden Baobab Prize for Illustrators for the best artwork that matches illustration briefs provided, intended for children ages 4-11.

AWARD: Winners of the 2018 Golden Baobab Prize will receive a cash prize of 5,000 USD. In addition to press publicity, winning stories are guaranteed a publishing deal, finalist writers are connected with publishers across Africa and finalist illustrators participate in exhibitions and workshops.

DEADLINE: December 1, 2017

goldenbaobab.org/baobab-news/entry/the-2018-golden-baobab-prize-call-for-submissions

2018-19 WRITING FELLOWSHIP

Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown

INFO: The Fine Arts Work Center awards seven-month Writing Fellowships to five poets and five fiction writers each year from October 1 through April 30.  

Applications will either be sent to our Fiction Jury or our Poetry Jury.  Those whose works fall between those two categories or employ both may also apply; however, all applicants must either choose "Fiction" or "Poetry" on the application form.  Writers applying in more than one genre must submit separate applications, including a non-refundable processing fee for each genre.

The Fine Arts Work Center actively seeks applicants from all backgrounds, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, marital status, ancestry, disability, HIV status, or veteran status.  

AWARD: Writing Fellows are provided with a private, furnished apartment and a monthly stipend of $750.  Fellows are required to remain in residence at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts, during the seven-month Fellowship.

SUBMISSION FEE: $50

DEADLINE: December 1, 2017

web.fawc.org/writers

BUZZFEED EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

INFO: With the mission of diversifying the broader media landscape by investing in the next generation of necessary voices, BuzzFeed's Emerging Writers Fellowship is designed to give writers of great promise the support, mentorship, and experience necessary to take a transformative step forward in their careers.

During the four-month program, the writers in this fellowship will benefit from career mentorship and editorial guidance while also receiving financial support. The learning process must be financially viable for emerging writers if it is intended to open the gates to writers traditionally locked out of opportunities in media.

The fellows will focus on personal essay writing, cultural reportage, and criticism. During their time in fellowship, writers will be expected to pitch, report, and write with the added benefit of panel discussions with editors and writers from throughout the industry, and assigned readings. Mentorship within the program will focus on teaching writers how to thrive as freelancers as well as on staff at media organizations; this mentorship will hopefully continue well after the fellowship itself is concluded.

Ideal candidates for the BuzzFeed Emerging Writers Fellowship must have ambitious ideas and a proven desire to publish cultural criticism, personal essays, and reported pieces that create an impact on cultural conversations. The three writers selected for the fellowship will work with BuzzFeed News’ senior editorial staff; this is a full-time position based in BuzzFeed’s New York office. The work produced during the fellowship will be published on BuzzFeed.

STIPEND: $14,000

DEADLINE: December 4, 2017

buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/buzzfeed-emerging-writers

fellowship?utm_term=.kfEVxAyVey#.lm39o5k97k

FICTION / NONFICTION - OCTOBER 2017

SPILLWAYS WRITER RESIDENCY FOR 2018-19

Antenna

INFO: A spillway is an engineering feat that provides controlled release of water from a river levee. Several spillways surround the city of New Orleans providing important control of flooding from the Mississippi. For Antenna, the Spillways residency is a way of providing the meaningful dispersion of outside thought and practice into the city through the development of creative feats. Spillways hosts national and international artists, writers, and cultural organizers that are interested in developing projects within the greater New Orleans region, and whose efforts question, transform, or expand the vibrant visual and literary culture of the area. At least four residents are chosen every other year to develop ambitious projects that aim for thoughtful public impact and engagement within the greater New Orleans region.

RESIDENCY: Residents will be awarded paid travel to and from New Orleans, an initial two week stay in Press Street’s residency space, a $1000 honorarium, and introductions to local stakeholders in their areas of interest. Spillways focuses on process over production, so in these initial immersive two weeks, residents are encouraged to come with an open mind and let their ideas adapt to what they have learned. Each resident’s experience will be modeled to spark project ideas that react in unique and interesting ways to the cultural fabric of the city.

PROJECTS: Once returning home, residents will have up to three months to develop a proposal for a project within the greater New Orleans area (defined as a 50 mile radius from city center). Antenna encourages ambitious project proposals that aim for thoughtful public impact or engagement, which must include a significant outreach component. This could range from visits to local schools, free community workshops, public lectures, or other programs that help the public to better understand the resident’s creative process.

Once a proposal is received, the Antenna team works immediately assessing feasibility and tailoring its approach based on the needs of the project, including funding and materials required. Not every project proposal will be accepted, though if it is, the spillways resident will have the full support, and assistance of the Antenna staff and the organization’s 12 years of experience working in the region to assist at every step to help bring the idea to life. Budget/funding and additional visits and time in the city are adapted to the needs of each approved project, and thus both of these important aspects of a project are left open ended until the proposal stage of each residency. Despite ultimately being the resident’s project, Antenna envisions this process being inherently collaborative and the most successful projects will incorporate New Orleans’ based individuals into their development.

IMPORTANT DATES

• Oct 4, 2017: Deadline for applications 
• Nov 2017: Residents announced
• January 2018-December 2018 : Residency Period
• January 2019-December 2019 : Project Development

antenna.works/spillways-artist-writer-residency-for-2018-19/

PEN/ PHYLLIS NAYLOR WORKING WRITER FELLOWSHIP

INFO: The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship is offered annually to an author of children's or young-adult fiction. It has been developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and is designed to assist a writer at a crucial moment in his or her career to complete a book-length work-in-progress.

The Fellowship is made possible by a substantial contribution from PEN Member Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, the prolific author of more than 140 books, including Now I'll Tell You Everything, the 28th and final book in the acclaimed "Alice" series, as well as Faith, Hope, and Ivy June andShiloh, the first novel in a trilogy, which won the 1992 Newbery Medal.

PRIZE: $5,000 

DEADLINE: October 13, 2017

pen.org/content/penphyllis-naylor-working-writer-fellowship-5000

 

WRITERS OMI AT LEDIG HOUSE

INFO: Since its founding in 1992, Writers Omi at Ledig House has hosted hundreds of authors and translators, representing more than fifty countries. We welcome published writers and translators of every type of literature. International, cultural and creative exchange is a foundation of our mission, and a wide distribution of national background is an important part of our selection process. 

Guests may select a residency of one week to two months; about ten at a time gather to live and work in a rural setting overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Ledig House provides all meals, and each night a local chef prepares dinner. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal. A program of weekly visits bring guests from the New York publishing community. Noted editors, agents and book scouts are invited to share dinner and conversation on both creative and practical subjects, offering insight into the workings of the publishing industry, and introductions to some of its key professionals. 

German publisher, Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt, for whom the program is named, was noted for his passionate commitment to quality in literature. Writers Omi has hosted hundreds of writers and translators from roughly 50 countries around the world. The colony's strong international emphasis reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is part of Ledig's enduring legacy. 

DEADLINE: October 20, 2017

artomi.org/program.php?Writers-Omi-4

PEN / BELLWETHER PRIZE FOR SOCIALLY ENGAGED FICTION

Pen America

INFO: The Bellwether Prize, which was established in 2000 by Barbara Kingsolver and is funded entirely by her, was created to promote fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships.

AWARD: $25,000 prize is awarded biennially to the author of a previously unpublished novel of high literary caliber that exemplifies the prize’s founding principles. The winner also receives a publishing contract with Algonquin Books.

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

DEADLINE: October 26, 2017

pen.org/content/penbellwether-prize-socially-engaged-fiction-25000

2017 QUEER SOUTHEAST ASIA BOOK AWARD

INFO: The award is open to all emerging Southeast Asian writers. It comes with SGD 1,000 (tax-free) and book publication. The winning manuscript will be critically introduced by one of the editors of Queer Southeast Asia: a literary journal of transgressive art.

WHAT TO SUBMIT:

1. Full-length manuscript without the author’s identifying information and acknowledgments. Submitted manuscripts should not be under consideration in another competition or for publication by another press. PDF copy only.

• For poetry submissions -- Submissions must be in Times New Roman (font size 12) and single-spaced with 1 inch margin on all sides. Page number must appear consecutively at the center of the bottom margin of each page.
• For prose submissions -- Submissions must be in Times New Roman (font size 12) and double-spaced with 1 inch margin on all sides. Page number must appear consecutively at the center of the bottom margin of each page.
• Note: prose genres except novel.

2. The author must provide an essay (2-4 pages; single-spaced) answering the questions below. The essay must appear in the manuscript after the title page and before the contents.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The essay will not be judged. Submitting writers should take this requirement as a way to introduce the context/s within which they write and the things they do in order to create or be creative. In addition, the questions below are supposed to be just guide questions. If submitting writers feel they should avoid these questions and respond to others not stated here, they may freely do so.

• Question 1 -- As an artist, what of (queer) Southeast Asia are you concerned the most?
• Question 2 -- How is your submitted manuscript relevant to (queer) Southeast Asia?
• Question 3 -- What politics, frameworks, or conditions shaped your manuscript and the writing of your manuscript?
• Question 4 -- What kind of impact do you wish your manuscript to incite?

3. The author’s curriculum vitae. No prescribed length. PDF copy only.

Note: The author's CV will not be judged. The author should submit only one manuscript.

DEADLINE: November 1, 2017.

queersoutheastasia.com/book-prize

FICTION / NONFICTION - SEPTEMBER 2017

THE COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE

Commonwealth Writers 

INFO: The Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words) in English written by a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible, and they invite writers from Mozambique who write in Portuguese, and writers who write in Swahili and Bengali, and who do not have an English translation of their story, to submit their stories in the original language.

PRIZE: Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000.

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 1 – November 1, 2017

commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/

ANISFIELD-WOLF BOOK AWARDS

INFO: The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to the understanding of racism and the appreciation of cultural diversity. Awards are given for fiction, poetry and nonfiction. 

To submit a book for consideration, send five copies with a completed copy of the Entry Form to:

Karen R. Long
c/o Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
The Cleveland Foundation
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44115

Phone: 216.685.2018
Email: Submit@Anisfield-Wolf.org

Upon receipt, the books will be forwarded to the jury. All submitted materials become the property of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards and will not be returned. The winners will be announced in the spring.  

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 1 – December 31, 2017

anisfield-wolf.org/submissions/submission-guidelines/  

 

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Commonwealth Writers 

INFO: The Shanghai Literary Review accepts submissions for web and print on a rolling basis.  They only accept submissions via our online submission manager.

They are interested in art and criticism about urbanism, globalism, identity, and transnationalism, though by no means should submissions be limited to those topics. Selected works will be published online and/or in print and be automatically entered into their annual end-of-year contest where cash prizes will be awarded.Fiction - less than 5,000 words

• Poetry - 2 poems submission limit per person
• Nonfiction & Essay - less than 5,000 words
• Flash Fiction or Nonfiction - less than 500 words
• Visual Art - photography, video, photo essay, collage, painting, sketch, etc.
• Translation - translation into English of any poetry, essay or short fiction from Asia, or vice versa, along with the original text
• Book Review - pitch book review ideas to us, on fiction or non-fiction from or about Asia

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

DEADLINE: September 3, 2017

shanghailiterary.com/submissions/

RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIPS

Harvard University

 INFO: The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program is a scholarly community where individuals pursue advanced work across a wide range of academic disciplines, professions, and creative arts (including Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction/Biography/ Autobiography/Memoir, Nonfiction/Current Issues, Playwriting or Screenwriting, and other topics). 

To be considered for a fellowship in fiction or nonfiction, applicants must have any of the following: one or more published books, contract for the publication of a book-length manuscript, or at least three shorter works (longer than newspaper articles) published. Evidence of publication in print format within the last five years is highly desirable; Web site publications are not acceptable as the only form of previously published work. Applicants should note that reviewers take into account evidence of a distinctive, original voice, richness or dimensionality of text, and coherence in the project plan. Professionals interested in writing about their work experiences should apply in the category of nonfiction. Recommendations from editors and/or agents are not acceptable.

STIPEND: Up to $77,500 for one year with additional funds for project expenses. Some support for relocation expenses is provided where relevant. They work with fellows with families who have particular issues connected to relocating to smooth the transition. If so directed, Radcliffe will pay the stipend to the fellow’s home institution. Please note that they can only pay stipends to home institutions if they are US based. Fellows receive office or studio space and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University during the fellowship year, which extends from early September 2018 through May 31, 2019.

Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their proposal. Since this is a residential fellowship, they expect fellows to reside in the Boston area during that period and to have their primary office at the Institute so that they can participate fully in the life of the community.

Applicants will be notified by e-mail in March of the results.

DEADLINE: September 14, 2017

radcliffe.harvard.edu/fellowship-program/how-apply

MACDOWELL COLONY RESIDENCY

INFO: The MacDowell Colony provides time, space, and an inspiring environment to artists of exceptional talent. A MacDowell Fellowship, or residency, consists of exclusive use of a studio, accommodations, and three prepared meals a day for up to eight weeks. There are no residency fees.

The Colony accepts applications from artists working in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. The sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence, which the Colony defines in a pluralistic and inclusive way. MacDowell encourages applications from artists representing the widest possible range of perspectives and demographics, and welcomes artists engaging in the broadest spectrum of artistic practice and investigating an unlimited array of inquiries and concerns. To that end, emerging as well as established artists are invited to apply.  

DEADLINE: September 15, 2017

macdowellcolony.org/apply-appguidelines.html

PHYLLIS NAYLOR WORKING WRITER FELLOWSHIP

Pen America

INFO: The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship is offered annually to an author of children’s or young-adult fiction. It has been developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and is designed to assist a writer at a crucial moment in his or her career to complete a book-length work-in-progress.

The Fellowship is made possible by a substantial contribution from PEN Member Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, the prolific author of more than 140 books, including Now I’ll Tell You Everything, the 28th and final book in the acclaimed “Alice” series, as well as Faith, Hope, and Ivy June and Shiloh, the first novel in a trilogy, which won the 1992 Newbery Medal.

AWARD: $5,000

DEADLINE: September 15, 2017

pen.org/literary-award/penphyllis-naylor-working-writer-fellowship-5000/

 

THE HODDER FELLOWSHIP

Princeton University

INFO: The Hodder Fellowship will be given to artists and writers of exceptional promise to pursue independent projects at Princeton University during the academic year. Potential Hodder Fellows are writers, composers, choreographers, visual artists, performance artists, or other kinds of artists or humanists who have “much more than ordinary intellectual and literary gifts”; they are selected more “for promise than for performance.” Given the strength of the applicant pool, most successful Fellows have published a first book or have similar achievements in their own fields; the Hodder is designed to provide Fellows with the “studious leisure” to undertake significant new work. 

DEADLINE: September 19, 2017

arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/hodder-fellowship/

CULLMAN CENTER FELLOWSHIP

New York Public Library 

INFO: The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers offers fellowships to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the research collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street (formerly the Humanities and Social Sciences Library).

The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards up to 15 fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers – academics, independent scholars, journalists, and creative writers. Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply.

The Cullman Center looks for top-quality writing from academics as well as from creative writers and independent scholars. It aims to promote dynamic communication about literature and scholarship at the very highest level – within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows’ published work. 

PRIZE: A stipend of up to $70,000, an office, a computer, and full access to the Library's physical and electronic resources.

Fellows work at the Center for the duration of the fellowship term, which runs from September through May. Each Fellow gives a talk over lunch on current work-in-progress to the other Fellows and to a wide range of invited guests, and may be asked to take part in other programs at The New York Public Library.

DEADLINE: September 30, 2017

nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/center-for-scholars-and-writers/fellowships-at-the-cullman-center

NEW VOICES AWARD 

Lee & Low Books

INFO: Lee & Low Books, award-winning publisher of children’s books, announces its annual New Voices Award, which will be given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color.

Established in 2000, the New Voices Award encourages writers of color to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States, 18 years or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published.   

Submissions may be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for children ages 5 to 12.

PRIZE: The Award winner receives a cash prize of $1,000 and our standard publication contract, including L&L’s basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $500. 

DEADLINE: September 30, 2017

leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award

PEN / BELLWETHER PRIZE FOR SOCIALLY ENGAGED FICTION

Pen America

INFO: The Bellwether Prize, which was established in 2000 by Barbara Kingsolver and is funded entirely by her, was created to promote fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships.

AWARD: $25,000 prize is awarded biennially to the author of a previously unpublished novel of high literary caliber that exemplifies the prize’s founding principles. The winner also receives a publishing contract with Algonquin Books.

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

DEADLINE: October 26, 2017

pen.org/content/penbellwether-prize-socially-engaged-fiction-25000

FICTION / NONFICTION - AUGUST 2017

EMERGING VOICES FELLOWSHIP

PEN Center USA

INFO: The Emerging Voices Fellowship is a literary mentorship that aims to provide new writers who are isolated from the literary establishment with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to launch a professional writing career.

LITERARY MENTORSHIP BENEFITS

By the end of the Emerging Voices Fellowship, a writer will leave with:

• Seven months of guidance from a professional mentor and written notes on their current writing project.
• An author photo and bio.
• A logline—the short summation of the project in progress.
• A clear action plan for finishing this project.
• Writing life, and craft tips, from notable visiting authors.
• An editing guide from a professional copy editor.
• Insider knowledge of publishing from agents, publishers, and editors.
• An individualized submission guide for literary journals, agents, residencies, and fellowships.
• Improved reading technique from a professional voice coach.
• Public reading experience for a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of how to be an effective workshop participant.
• Lifetime membership in PEN Center USA.
• An introduction to the Los Angeles literary community.

FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS

The seven-month fellowship includes:

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP: Emerging Voices Mentors are carefully chosen from PEN Center USA’s membership and from professional writers based in Los Angeles. The Mentor-Fellow relationship is expected to challenge the fellow's work and compel significant creative progress. Over the course of the fellowship, Emerging Voices Fellows and Mentors should meet three times in person, and be in contact at least once a month. In these three meetings, Mentors will offer written feedback on the Emerging Voices Fellows’ work in progress. Authors who have been mentors in the past include Ron Carlson, Harryette Mullen, Chris Abani, Ramona Ausubel, Meghan Daum, and Sherman Alexie.

CLASSES AT THE UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS’ PROGRAM: Participants will attend two free courses (a 12-week writing course and a one-day workshop) at UCLA Extension, donated by the Writers’ Program. Program Manager will assist the Emerging Voices Fellows with course selection.

AUTHOR EVENINGS: Every Monday, fellows will meet with a visiting author, editor or publisher and ask questions about craft. Fellows must read each visiting author's book before the evening. A schedule of Author Evenings is distributed at the first Emerging Voices orientation meeting. 

Click here for info for the Emerging Voices Author Evening Series, which is open to the public. 

MASTER CLASSES: After completing the UCLA Extension Writers' Program courses, Emerging Voices Fellows will enroll in a Master Class. The Master Class is a genre-specific workshop with a professional writer that affords fellows the opportunity to exchange feedback on their works in progress. The 2017 Master Class Instructors are Alex Espinoza (fiction and nonfiction), and F. Douglas Brown (poetry).

VOLUNTEER PROJECT: All Emerging Voices Fellows are expected to complete a 25-hour volunteer project that is relevant to the literary community. 

VOICE INSTRUCTION CLASS: The Fellowship will provide a one-day workshop with Dave Thomas, a professional voice actor. The Emerging Voices Fellows will read their work in a recording studio and receive instruction on reading their work publicly.

PUBLIC READINGS: Fellows will participate in three public readings, The Welcome Party, Tongue & Groove Salon, and the Final Reading. Fellows have read in various venues and events including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Silver Lake Jubilee, Skylight Bookstore, The Standard, Downtown LA, and Hotel Café. The fellowship culminates in a Final Reading showcasing the progress each fellow has made in his or her work.

STIPEND: The fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend, given in $500 increments.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship runs from January to July. Participants need not be published, but the fellowship is directed toward poets and writers of fiction and creative nonfiction with clear ideas of what they hope to accomplish through their writing. 

DEADLINE: August 1, 2017. 

penusa.org/programs/emerging-voices

WRITER TO WRITER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP's mentorship program, Writer to Writer, matches emerging writers and published authors for a three-month series of modules on topics such as craft, revision, publishing, and the writing life. Mentors volunteer their time and receive a free one-year AWP membership. Writer to Writer is free of charge to mentees.

Should you be chosen to participate, your mentor will review your writing, listen to your concerns, and help you problem solve. You will have opportunities to interact with others taking part in that session, and AWP's membership team will be there with you every step of the way.

Their Fall session begins each September and consists of six modules over a three-month period, concluding mid-December.

Their Spring session begins each February and consists of six modules over a three-month period, concluding mid-May.

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

DEADLINE: August 12, 2017

awpwriter.org/community_calendar/mentorship_program_overview

ERNEST J. GAINES AWARD FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

INFO: The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. The book award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is now in its ninth year and has become nationally recognized in its role of enhancing visibility of emerging black fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature.  

The 2017 panel of judges are themselves renowned contributors to the literary world. They are Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Elizabeth Nunez, Francine Prose and Patricia Towers.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation sponsors the winner’s travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to receive the prize at a ceremony attended by Ernest Gaines where the author reads an excerpt from the selected work of fiction.

The literary award winner also participates in educational activities at selected area schools and after-school programs in keeping with the Gaines Award's interest in emphasizing the role of literature and arts in education. Through small creative writing workshops with the winning author, students are encouraged to pursue reading, delve into their own creativity, and to consider becoming an author. 

AWARD: $10,000 cash to support the writer and help enable her/him to focus on her/his art of writing. 

DEADLINE: August 15, 2017

ernestjgainesaward.org/literary-award-criteria-registration/

2017 RED HEN PRESS FICTION AWARD

INFO: Established in 2015 to nurture the unique and vibrant channels through which fiction has carried us, the Red Hen Fiction Award is for a fresh and original story of fiction with a minimum of 150 pages. The awarded fiction manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors.

JUDGE: Charles Yu

AWARD: $1,000 and publication by Red Hen Press

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

DEADLINE: August 17, 2017

redhen.org/awards-2/red-hen-press-fiction-award/

 

FALL 2017 AWARDS

Sustainable Arts Foundation

INFO: Sustainable Arts Foundation – a non-profit foundation supporting artists and writers with families – is committed to offering half of its awards to applicants of color.

Writers may apply in one of the following categories:

• Fiction
• Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Long Form Journalism
• Playwriting
• Picture Books
• Early and Middle Grade Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Graphic Novel

AWARDS:

• Sustainable Arts Foundation Award: $6,000
• Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Award: $2,000

DEADLINE: August 31, 2017

apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org/

 

THE SUBMERGING WRITER FELLOWSHIP

Fear No Lit

INFO: In 2017, FEAR NO LIT will pull one submerging writer out of the water. The fellowship is for writers who have the chops but lack the luck; who drown, who try, who try again; who try again so many times there might not be any tries left; who see writing as both a buoy and shark-bite—a boogie-board and an iceberg; who would love to attend AWP to meet the writers they admire but just can’t fucking afford it; who are sinking in the giant sea of the writing industry.

AWARD:

• a chapbook (limited-edition print run of 50 copies)
• a launch party at AWP 18 (reading featuring the winner & 3 finalists)
• $500 for AWP 18 expenses (travel, room)
• $500 to spend however they like, no strings attached (maybe scuba gear?)
• In addition, three finalists will receive complimentary registration to AWP 2018 in Tampa, FL.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2017

fearnolit.com/fellowship/

PEN / BELLWETHER PRIZE FOR SOCIALLY ENGAGED FICTION

Pen America

INFO: The Bellwether Prize, which was established in 2000 by Barbara Kingsolver and is funded entirely by her, was created to promote fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships.

AWARD: $25,000 prize is awarded biennially to the author of a previously unpublished novel of high literary caliber that exemplifies the prize’s founding principles. The winner also receives a publishing contract with Algonquin Books.

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

DEADLINE: October 26, 2017

pen.org/content/penbellwether-prize-socially-engaged-fiction-25000

 

 

0 Likes

Share

FICTION / NONFICTION - JULY 2017

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: CREATIVE WRITING

The Journal of Latina Critical Feminism

INFO: The Journal of Latina Critical Feminism is seeking creative fiction or nonfiction with a 3,000 word count limit.

DEADLINE: July 1, 2017

journallcf.submittable.com/submit

 

FALL 2017 AWARDS

Sustainable Arts Foundation

INFO: Sustainable Arts Foundation – a non-profit foundation supporting artists and writers with families – is committed to offering half of its awards to applicants of color.

Writers may apply in one of the following categories:

• Fiction
• Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Long Form Journalism
• Playwriting
• Picture Books
• Early and Middle Grade Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Graphic Novel

AWARDS:

• Sustainable Arts Foundation Award: $6,000
• Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Award: $2,000

SUBMISSION PERIOD: July 25 - August 31, 2017

apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org/

2018 WRITERS IN RESIDENCE

Hedgebrook 

INFO: Hedgebrook is on Whidbey Island, about thirty-five miles northwest of Seattle. Situated on 48-acres of forest and meadow facing Puget Sound, with a view of Mount Rainier, the retreat hosts writers from all over the world for residencies of two to six weeks, at no cost to the writer. 

Six writers are in residence at a time, each housed in a handcrafted cottage. They spend their days in solitude – writing, reading, taking walks in the woods on the property or on nearby Double Bluff beach. In the evenings, they gather in the farmhouse kitchen to share a home-cooked gourmet meal, their work, their process and their stories. The Writers in Residence Program is Hedgebrook’s core program, supporting the fully-funded residencies of approximately 40 writers at the retreat each year.

Their selection process occurs once a year in the fall, with a late July deadline for submissions.Notifications are made by the beginning of December. Through a completely anonymous, three-round process, approximately forty writers are invited for residencies of two weeks to six weeks. Their residency season runs from February through October.

Hedgebrook’s mission is to support visionary women writers whose stories and ideas shape our culture now and for generations to come. The Writers in Residence program is Hedgebrook’s core program that for more than 29 years has supported fully-funded residencies for writers representing diversity in citizenship status, nationality, current place of residence, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, trans* identity, age, disability, professional experience, and economic resources. We welcome applicants, published or not, of all genres, who embrace the mission and opportunity to be a member of Hedgebrook's community.

SUBMISSION FEE: $30

DEADLINE: July 25, 2017

hedgebrook.org/writers-in-residence/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

FIYAH

INFO: FIYAH is a quarterly speculative fiction magazine that features stories by and about people of the African Diaspora.

They are looking for brave works of speculative short fiction by authors from the African continent and diaspora that reject regressive ideas of blackness, respectability politics, and stereotype. Please submit your bravest, blackest, most difficult to sell stories.
They want stories that are well written, of high quality, and generally easy to read on a screen.

They are only accepting submission from authors from the African diaspora and the African continent because #BlackWritersMatter. This is an intersectional definition of blackness, and they strongly encourage submissions from women, members of the LGBTQIA community, and members from other underrepresented communities within the African diaspora.

DEADLINE: July 31, 2017

fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/

SPRING 2017 STORY CONTEST

Narrative

INFO: The contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. Narrative is looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

As always, they are looking for works with a strong narrative drive, with characters they can respond to, and with effects of language, situation, and insight that are intense and total. They look for works that have the ambition of enlarging our view of ourselves and the world.

AWARDS:

• First Prize – $2,500
• Second Prize – $1,000
• Third Prize –  $500
• Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each. 
• All entries will be considered for publication and are eligible for the $4,000 Narrative Prize and for acceptance as a Story of the Week.

DEADLINE: July 31, 2017, at midnight, Pacific daylight time.

narrativemagazine.com/spring-2017-story-contest

THE LOUISE MERIWETHER FIRST BOOK PRIZE

The Feminist Press & Tayo Literary Magazine

INFO: In celebration of novelist Louise Meriwether’s achievements and continued legacy, the Feminist Press has partnered with TAYO Literary Magazine to launch a contest seeking the best debut books by women and nonbinary writers of color. 

First time authors, submit your complete manuscript, either fiction, including novels and short story collections, or narrative memoir, of 50,000 to 80,000 words.

Final judges include Tayari Jones and Ana Castilo.

PRIZE: $5,000 and a publishing contract from the Feminist Press!

DEADLINE: July 31, 2017

tayoliterarymag.com/official-rules

EMERGING VOICES FELLOWSHIP

PEN Center USA

INFO: The Emerging Voices Fellowship is a literary mentorship that aims to provide new writers who are isolated from the literary establishment with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to launch a professional writing career.

LITERARY MENTORSHIP BENEFITS

By the end of the Emerging Voices Fellowship, a writer will leave with:

• Seven months of guidance from a professional mentor and written notes on their current writing project.
• An author photo and bio.
• A logline—the short summation of the project in progress.
• A clear action plan for finishing this project.
• Writing life, and craft tips, from notable visiting authors.
• An editing guide from a professional copy editor.
• Insider knowledge of publishing from agents, publishers, and editors.
• An individualized submission guide for literary journals, agents, residencies, and fellowships.
• Improved reading technique from a professional voice coach.
• Public reading experience for a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of how to be an effective workshop participant.
• Lifetime membership in PEN Center USA.
• An introduction to the Los Angeles literary community.

FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS

The seven-month fellowship includes:

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP: Emerging Voices Mentors are carefully chosen from PEN Center USA’s membership and from professional writers based in Los Angeles. The Mentor-Fellow relationship is expected to challenge the fellow's work and compel significant creative progress. Over the course of the fellowship, Emerging Voices Fellows and Mentors should meet three times in person, and be in contact at least once a month. In these three meetings, Mentors will offer written feedback on the Emerging Voices Fellows’ work in progress. Authors who have been mentors in the past include Ron Carlson, Harryette Mullen, Chris Abani, Ramona Ausubel, Meghan Daum, and Sherman Alexie.

CLASSES AT THE UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS’ PROGRAM: Participants will attend two free courses (a 12-week writing course and a one-day workshop) at UCLA Extension, donated by the Writers’ Program. Program Manager will assist the Emerging Voices Fellows with course selection.

AUTHOR EVENINGS: Every Monday, fellows will meet with a visiting author, editor or publisher and ask questions about craft. Fellows must read each visiting author's book before the evening. A schedule of Author Evenings is distributed at the first Emerging Voices orientation meeting. 

Click here for info for the Emerging Voices Author Evening Series, which is open to the public. 

MASTER CLASSES: After completing the UCLA Extension Writers' Program courses, Emerging Voices Fellows will enroll in a Master Class. The Master Class is a genre-specific workshop with a professional writer that affords fellows the opportunity to exchange feedback on their works in progress. The 2017 Master Class Instructors are Alex Espinoza (fiction and nonfiction), and F. Douglas Brown (poetry).

VOLUNTEER PROJECT: All Emerging Voices Fellows are expected to complete a 25-hour volunteer project that is relevant to the literary community. 

VOICE INSTRUCTION CLASS: The Fellowship will provide a one-day workshop with Dave Thomas, a professional voice actor. The Emerging Voices Fellows will read their work in a recording studio and receive instruction on reading their work publicly.

PUBLIC READINGS: Fellows will participate in three public readings, The Welcome Party, Tongue & Groove Salon, and the Final Reading. Fellows have read in various venues and events including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Silver Lake Jubilee, Skylight Bookstore, The Standard, Downtown LA, and Hotel Café. The fellowship culminates in a Final Reading showcasing the progress each fellow has made in his or her work.

STIPEND: The fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend, given in $500 increments.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship runs from January to July. Participants need not be published, but the fellowship is directed toward poets and writers of fiction and creative nonfiction with clear ideas of what they hope to accomplish through their writing. 

DEADLINE: August 1, 2017. 

penusa.org/programs/emerging-voices

FICTION / NONFICTION - JUNE 2017

2017 SUMMER WRITERS WEEK

Hurston / Wright Foundation

INFO: For 20 years, the Hurston/Wright Summer Writers Workshop has offered a safe space for writers in intensive workshop sessions and master classes.Workshops are led by award-winning writers who are influencing today’s literature. The program features critiques, craft talks, writing time and public readings.

Hurston/Wright workshops serve emerging and experienced writers who are starting projects, developing projects or seeking to polish projects. More than a thousand writers have participated in workshops since the first session in 1996. Hosted in the nation’s capital, the program allows writers to explore storytelling in one of the world’s most intriguing and inspiring cities. Hurston/Wright is a community that supports you and your writing life.

• Fiction Workshop led by Tiphanie Yanique
• Nonfiction Workshop led by Sheri Booker
• Poetry Workshop will be led by Kyle Dargan

WORKSHOP DATES: Saturday, August 5 – Friday, August 11, 2017

 LOCATION: Howard University in Washington, D.C.

APPLICATION FEE: $30

TUITION: $700 (apply to one workshop only)

DEADLINE: June 1, 2017

hurstonwright.org/portfolio_page/2017-writers-week/

 

PEN / BELLWETHER PRIZE FOR SOCIALLY ENGAGED FICTION

Pen America

INFO: The Bellwether Prize, which was established in 2000 by Barbara Kingsolver and is funded entirely by her, was created to promote fiction that addresses issues of social justice and the impact of culture and politics on human relationships.

AWARD: $25,000 prize is awarded biennially to the author of a previously unpublished novel of high literary caliber that exemplifies the prize’s founding principles. The winner also receives a publishing contract with Algonquin Books.

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: June 1, 2017

pen.org/content/penbellwether-prize-socially-engaged-fiction-25000

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

TRACK//FOUR 

INFO: TRACK//FOUR is open for submissions from writers and artists of color. They accept work from people of color only, as it is a safe space and a place to showcase underrepresented and often repressed voices in the literary and artistic world-- and elsewhere. Although in the future they strive to provide our lovely contributors a monetary sum for their work, they are currently unable to pay contributors. However, as of 2017, they will be nominating written work for Best New Poets, Best of the Net, and the Pushcart Prize.

• Poetry: Send up to five of your best poems. Poems should not share pages and should be single-spaced. Poems of of all forms and subject matter are welcome.
• Prose: Send up to two pieces (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, lyric essay) up to 3000 words each, double spaced.

DEADLINE: June 5, 2017

trackfourjournal.com/submissions.html

CALL FOR SCHOLARLY ESSAYS AND CREATIVE WORKS

Label Me Latina/o

INFO: Label Me Latina/o, an online, refereed international e-journal that focuses on Latino Literary Production in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, invites scholarly essays focusing on these writers for its biannual publication. 

Label Me Latina/o also publishes creative literary pieces (poetry and short fiction) whose authors self-define as Latina or Latino regardless of thematic content. Interviews of Latino or Latina authors will also be considered. The Co-Directors will publish creative works and interviews in English, Spanish or Spanglish whereas analytical essays should be written in English or Spanish.

DEADLINE: June 15, 2017

labelmelatin.com/?page_id=2

NARRATIVE PRIZE

Narrative Magazine 

INFO: The Narrative Prize is awarded annually for the best short story, novel excerpt, poem, one-act play, graphic story, or work of literary nonfiction published by a new or emerging writer in Narrative. 

PRIZE: $4,000

DEADLINE: June 15, 2017

narrativemagazine.com/great-stories/narrative-prize

ELEANOR TAYLOR BLAND CRIME FICTON WRITERS OF COLOR AWARD

Sisters in Crime

INFO: The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annual grant for an emerging writer of color awarded by the Sisters in Crime, a 3,600-member organization of mystery authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers and librarians.

 An unpublished writer is preferred, although publication of one work of short fiction or academic work will not disqualify an applicant. This grant is intended to support the recipient in activities related to crime fiction writing and career development. She or he may choose from activities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats; online courses; and research activities required for completion of the work.

PRIZE: $1,500  

DEADLINE: June 15, 2017

sistersincrime.org/page/EleanorTaylorBland

2018 EMERGING WRITER AWARDS: MARIANNE RUSSO AWARD (FOR NOVEL-IN-PROGRESS)

Key West Literary Seminar

INFO: The Marianne Russo Award recognizes and supports a writer of a novel-in-progress who possesses exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for a lasting literary career.

AWARD: Winners receive full tuition support for our January Seminar and Workshop Program, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium, and the opportunity to appear on stage during the Seminar. The runner-up for will also be offered financial assistance packages.

SUBMISSION FEE: $10

DEADINE: June 30, 2017 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT)

kwls.org/awards/emerging-writer-awards/

2018 EMERGING WRITER AWARDS: CECELIA JOYCE JOHNSON AWARD (FOR A SHORT STORY)

Key West Literary Seminar

INFO: The Cecilia Joyce Johnson Award recognizes and supports a writer of a short story who possesses exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for a lasting literary career.

AWARD: Winners receive full tuition support for our January Seminar and Workshop Program, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium, and the opportunity to appear on stage during the Seminar. The runner-up for will also be offered financial assistance packages.

SUBMISSION FEE: $10

DEADINE: June 30, 2017 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT)

kwls.org/awards/emerging-writer-awards/

EMERGING VOICES FELLOWSHIP

PEN Center USA

INFO: The Emerging Voices Fellowship is a literary mentorship that aims to provide new writers who are isolated from the literary establishment with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to launch a professional writing career.

LITERARY MENTORSHIP BENEFITS

By the end of the Emerging Voices Fellowship, a writer will leave with:

• Seven months of guidance from a professional mentor and written notes on their current writing project.
• An author photo and bio.
• A logline—the short summation of the project in progress.
• A clear action plan for finishing this project.
• Writing life, and craft tips, from notable visiting authors.
• An editing guide from a professional copy editor.
• Insider knowledge of publishing from agents, publishers, and editors.
• An individualized submission guide for literary journals, agents, residencies, and fellowships.
• Improved reading technique from a professional voice coach.
• Public reading experience for a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of how to be an effective workshop participant.
• Lifetime membership in PEN Center USA.
• An introduction to the Los Angeles literary community.

FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS

The seven-month fellowship includes:

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP: Emerging Voices Mentors are carefully chosen from PEN Center USA’s membership and from professional writers based in Los Angeles. The Mentor-Fellow relationship is expected to challenge the fellow's work and compel significant creative progress. Over the course of the fellowship, Emerging Voices Fellows and Mentors should meet three times in person, and be in contact at least once a month. In these three meetings, Mentors will offer written feedback on the Emerging Voices Fellows’ work in progress. Authors who have been mentors in the past include Ron Carlson, Harryette Mullen, Chris Abani, Ramona Ausubel, Meghan Daum, and Sherman Alexie.

CLASSES AT THE UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS’ PROGRAM: Participants will attend two free courses (a 12-week writing course and a one-day workshop) at UCLA Extension, donated by the Writers’ Program. Program Manager will assist the Emerging Voices Fellows with course selection.

AUTHOR EVENINGS: Every Monday, fellows will meet with a visiting author, editor or publisher and ask questions about craft. Fellows must read each visiting author's book before the evening. A schedule of Author Evenings is distributed at the first Emerging Voices orientation meeting. 

Click here for info for the Emerging Voices Author Evening Series, which is open to the public. 

MASTER CLASSES: After completing the UCLA Extension Writers' Program courses, Emerging Voices Fellows will enroll in a Master Class. The Master Class is a genre-specific workshop with a professional writer that affords fellows the opportunity to exchange feedback on their works in progress. The 2017 Master Class Instructors are Alex Espinoza (fiction and nonfiction), and F. Douglas Brown (poetry).

VOLUNTEER PROJECT: All Emerging Voices Fellows are expected to complete a 25-hour volunteer project that is relevant to the literary community. 

VOICE INSTRUCTION CLASS: The Fellowship will provide a one-day workshop with Dave Thomas, a professional voice actor. The Emerging Voices Fellows will read their work in a recording studio and receive instruction on reading their work publicly.

PUBLIC READINGS: Fellows will participate in three public readings, The Welcome Party, Tongue & Groove Salon, and the Final Reading. Fellows have read in various venues and events including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Silver Lake Jubilee, Skylight Bookstore, The Standard, Downtown LA, and Hotel Café. The fellowship culminates in a Final Reading showcasing the progress each fellow has made in his or her work.

STIPEND: The fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend, given in $500 increments.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship runs from January to July. Participants need not be published, but the fellowship is directed toward poets and writers of fiction and creative nonfiction with clear ideas of what they hope to accomplish through their writing. 

DEADLINE: August 1, 2017. 

penusa.org/programs/emerging-voices

FICTION / NONFICTION - MAY 2017

WRITING RETREAT FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

Jack Jones Literary Arts

INFO: Jack Jones Literary Arts is hosting its first annual writing retreat at the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR. This two-week retreat will be held October 16–30, 2017, and is open exclusively to women of color. National Book Award finalist, Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House, is joining us as our Writer-in-Residence for week one, and Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow and NEA award winner, Angel Nafis, author of BlackGirl Mansion, will join us as Writer-in-Residence for week two.

As part of the retreat experience, Jack Jones is featuring daily one hour Skype master classes with agents, editors and acclaimed women in publishing to promote networking, learning and engagement. These sessions are totally optional for retreat participants.

The retreat rate is $1050.00 for the two weeks and includes individual writing suites with bedroom, private bath, writing area, wifi, air conditioning, mini fridges, coffee makers, and all meals are provided.

Professional and emerging women writers of color at work on book projects are eligible for residencies. Students who are enrolled in a degree program are ineligible for a residency. Unfortunately, the Dairy Hollow grounds do not support wheelchairs or walkers. We are making every effort to secure a location for 2018 that is both cost-effective and accessible.

To apply to the Jack Jones Literary Arts writing retreat, please fill out our online application. The application includes a project proposal, a reference and the writing sample.

They will offer nine fully-funded scholarship opportunities, a travel stipend and admissions fee reimbursements. Supporting documentation will need to be submitted at the time of application.

APPLICATION FEE: $25

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: May 1, 2017
• Notification: Mailed out on June 1, 2017
• Retreat: October 16 - 30, 2017 

jackjonesliteraryarts.com/the-retreat/

EMERGING VOICES FELLOWSHIP

PEN Center USA

INFO: The Emerging Voices Fellowship is a literary mentorship that aims to provide new writers who are isolated from the literary establishment with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to launch a professional writing career.

LITERARY MENTORSHIP BENEFITS

By the end of the Emerging Voices Fellowship, a writer will leave with:

• Seven months of guidance from a professional mentor and written notes on their current writing project.
• An author photo and bio.
• A logline—the short summation of the project in progress.
• A clear action plan for finishing this project.
• Writing life, and craft tips, from notable visiting authors.
• An editing guide from a professional copy editor.
• Insider knowledge of publishing from agents, publishers, and editors.
• An individualized submission guide for literary journals, agents, residencies, and fellowships.
• Improved reading technique from a professional voice coach.
• Public reading experience for a variety of audiences.
• An understanding of how to be an effective workshop participant.
• Lifetime membership in PEN Center USA.
• An introduction to the Los Angeles literary community.

FELLOWSHIP COMPONENTS

The seven-month fellowship includes:

PROFESSIONAL MENTORSHIP: Emerging Voices Mentors are carefully chosen from PEN Center USA’s membership and from professional writers based in Los Angeles. The Mentor-Fellow relationship is expected to challenge the fellow's work and compel significant creative progress. Over the course of the fellowship, Emerging Voices Fellows and Mentors should meet three times in person, and be in contact at least once a month. In these three meetings, Mentors will offer written feedback on the Emerging Voices Fellows’ work in progress. Authors who have been mentors in the past include Ron Carlson, Harryette Mullen, Chris Abani, Ramona Ausubel, Meghan Daum, and Sherman Alexie.

CLASSES AT THE UCLA EXTENSION WRITERS’ PROGRAM: Participants will attend two free courses (a 12-week writing course and a one-day workshop) at UCLA Extension, donated by the Writers’ Program. Program Manager will assist the Emerging Voices Fellows with course selection.

AUTHOR EVENINGS: Every Monday, fellows will meet with a visiting author, editor or publisher and ask questions about craft. Fellows must read each visiting author's book before the evening. A schedule of Author Evenings is distributed at the first Emerging Voices orientation meeting. 

Click here for info for the Emerging Voices Author Evening Series, which is open to the public. 

MASTER CLASSES: After completing the UCLA Extension Writers' Program courses, Emerging Voices Fellows will enroll in a Master Class. The Master Class is a genre-specific workshop with a professional writer that affords fellows the opportunity to exchange feedback on their works in progress. The 2017 Master Class Instructors are Alex Espinoza (fiction and nonfiction), and F. Douglas Brown (poetry).

VOLUNTEER PROJECT: All Emerging Voices Fellows are expected to complete a 25-hour volunteer project that is relevant to the literary community. 

VOICE INSTRUCTION CLASS: The Fellowship will provide a one-day workshop with Dave Thomas, a professional voice actor. The Emerging Voices Fellows will read their work in a recording studio and receive instruction on reading their work publicly.

PUBLIC READINGS: Fellows will participate in three public readings, The Welcome Party, Tongue & Groove Salon, and the Final Reading. Fellows have read in various venues and events including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Silver Lake Jubilee, Skylight Bookstore, The Standard, Downtown LA, and Hotel Café. The fellowship culminates in a Final Reading showcasing the progress each fellow has made in his or her work.

STIPEND: The fellowship includes a $1,000 stipend, given in $500 increments.

The Emerging Voices Fellowship runs from January to July. Participants need not be published, but the fellowship is directed toward poets and writers of fiction and creative nonfiction with clear ideas of what they hope to accomplish through their writing. 

APPLICATION PERIOD: Opens May 1, 2017. 

penusa.org/programs/emerging-voices

2017 WHITING CREATIVE NONFICTION GRANT

Whiting Foundation

INFO: The Whiting Foundation is now accepting submissions for this year’s Creative Nonfiction Grant. Encouraged by the range and quality of submissions in its inaugural year, the Whiting Foundation will award up to six grants in the fall of 2017.

All creative nonfiction writers under contract with a publisher and at least two years into their contract are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be US citizens or residents. Whiting welcomes submissions for works of history, cultural or political reportage, biography, memoir, the sciences, philosophy, criticism, food or travel writing, and personal essays, among other categories. Courtney Hodell, Director of Writers’ Programs at the Foundation, comments, “We’re looking for nonfiction that stirs us and makes us think; we want to encourage writers to take on the mapping of complex and nuanced ideas that can’t be explored in any other form, and to express these ideas with all the beauty and intensity they can muster. Such books will only become more crucial to the life of our culture in the years ahead.”

AWARD: $40,000

DEADLINE: May 1, 2017

whiting.org/awards/content/whiting-creative-nonfiction-grant

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Spectacle

INFO: The Spectacle is currently open to poetry, fiction, and nonfiction submissions from traditionally underrepresented voices, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ writers, writers of color, indigenous writers, people with disabilities, and women. 

DEADLINE: May 15, 2017

thespectacle.submittable.com/submit

EMERGING WRITER’S CONTEST

Ploughshares

INFO: The Emerging Writer's Contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book.

The 2017 contest judges are Garth Greenwell (fiction), Meghan Daum (nonfiction), and Natalie Diaz (poetry).

Fiction and Nonfiction: Under 6,000 words
Poetry: 3-5 pages

AWARD: The winner in each genre will be awarded $2,000 and will be published in the Winter 2017-18 issue of Ploughshares.

SUBMISSION FEE: $24, which is waived if the submitter is a current subscriber. The fee is:

DEADLINE: May 15, 2017 at noon EST. The winners will be announced in mid-September, 2017. 

pshares.org/submit/emerging-writers-contest/guidelines

NEW VOICES WRITING COMPETITION: PAKISTAN

The Missing Slate

INFO: The Missing Slate announces its New Voice Writing Competition for Pakistani writers writing in English. They seek work that is original, thought-provoking, well-written, and well-articulated with a voice that can speak to an international readership and characters they can empathize with and care about.

Submitters must be located in Pakistan and have a local bank account to receive prize money.

The competition will be judged by Sabyn Javeri, author of ‘Nobody Killed Her’ (HarperCollins, 2017).

AWARD: A RS20,000 first prize with two runners-up of RS5,000 each. the winning story will be published as story of the week and the winning writer will be interviewed by one of our senior editors.

DEADLINE: May 15, 2017 (11.59PM Pakistan time)

 themissingslate.com/new-voices/

ARTS WRITERS GRANT PROGRAM

The Creative Capital / Andy Warhol Foundation 

INFO:  The Creative Capital / Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant supports writers whose work addresses contemporary visual art.

The program issues awards directly to individual authors for articles, blogs, books, new and alternative media, and short-form writing projects. It supports a broad spectrum of writing on contemporary visual art, from general-audience criticism to academic scholarship.

Writers who meet the program's eligibility requirements are invited to apply in the following categories:

• Articles
• Blogs
• Books
• New and Alternative Media
• Short-Form Writing

DEADLINE: May 17, 2017

artswriters.org/application/guidelines

FLASH FICTION CONTEST

Masters Review

INFO: Masters Review is looking for flash fiction by emerging writers. Stories must be under 1,000 words.

AWARD:

• First Place: $2000, publication on the Masters Review site, and recognition in Poets & Writers Magazine
• Second Place: $200, publication, and recognition in Poets & Writers
• Third Place: $100, publication, and recognition in Poets & Writers

SUBMISSION FEE: $20

DEADLINE: May 31, 2017

mastersreview.com/flash-fiction-contest/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GLOBAL DYSTOPIAS

Boston Review

INFO: Special call from Boston Review fiction editor Junot Díaz:

Over the last decades dystopian narratives have proliferated to the point where they seem to have become our default mode for conceptualizing the future. But dystopias are not merely fantasies of a minatory future; they offer critically important reflection upon our present. If (as Tom Moylan has argued) traditional dystopias crafted cognitive maps of the terrors of the twentieth century, what cognitive maps does our current dystopian turn provide us of our turbulent global present?

Throughout 2017 BostonReview.net will feature stories, essays, and interviews on the theme of global dystopias. The project will culminate in a special print issue in the fall of 2017.

They are seeking essays, interviews, and fiction from writers around the globe that engage the theme of dystopia. Nonfiction, personal essay, genre fiction (SF, fantasy, horror, Afrofuturist, slipstream), and work that resides across/between genres are welcome.

Submissions might explore, but are not limited to:

• Inequality / precarity
• The Global South
• Climate change
• Global democracy
• Civic media and civic imaginaries
• Afrofuturism
• The War on Terror
• International politics and speculative futures
• Post-humanisms
• The future of females
• Gendered violence
• Radical futurities

SUBMISSION FEE: $3

DEADLINE: N/A

bostonreview.submittable.com/submit

FICTION / NONFICTION - APRIL 2017

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: SUNDOWN TOWNS ISSUE

FIYAH 

INFO: FIYAH is a quarterly speculative fiction magazine that features stories by and about people of the African Diaspora. They are currently accepting submissions for their SUNDOWN TOWNS issue. Their editors expound on what they’re seeking for the theme in this post.

They are looking for brave works of speculative short fiction by authors from the African diaspora that reject regressive ideas of blackness, respectability politics, and stereotype. Please submit your bravest, blackest, most difficult to sell stories.

They are accepting submissions of short fiction 2,000 – 7,000 words and novelettes up to 15,000 words. They are only accepting submission from authors from the African diaspora, because #BlackWritersMatter. This is an intersectional definition of blackness, and they strongly encourage submissions from women, members of the LGBTQIA community, and members from other underrepresented communities within the African diaspora.  

PAYMENT: 

• Short stories (2,000 – 7,000 words): $150
• Novelettes (<15,000 words): $300

RIGHTS: FIYAH will publish accepted stories in a quarterly ebook magazine format, as well as archiving them on their website. Thus, FIYAH will claim first world electronic rights, nonexclusive archival rights, and nonexclusive anthology rights to your story. This means that they are buying the rights to publish your story on FIYAH’s website and in electronic issues of our magazine. This also means that you can only publish your story as a reprint after it appears in FIYAH, and it cannot appear anywhere else online or in print prior to submission, or for 180 days after they publish it. After that it can be reprinted online, in a magazine, or in an anthology.

DEADLINE: April 30, 2017 

fiyahlitmag.com/submissions/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: GLOBAL DYSTOPIAS

Boston Review

INFO: Special call from Boston Review fiction editor Junot Díaz:

Over the last decades dystopian narratives have proliferated to the point where they seem to have become our default mode for conceptualizing the future. But dystopias are not merely fantasies of a minatory future; they offer critically important reflection upon our present. If (as Tom Moylan has argued) traditional dystopias crafted cognitive maps of the terrors of the twentieth century, what cognitive maps does our current dystopian turn provide us of our turbulent global present?

Throughout 2017 BostonReview.net will feature stories, essays, and interviews on the theme of global dystopias. The project will culminate in a special print issue in the fall of 2017.

They are seeking essays, interviews, and fiction from writers around the globe that engage the theme of dystopia. Nonfiction, personal essay, genre fiction (SF, fantasy, horror, Afrofuturist, slipstream), and work that resides across/between genres are welcome.

Submissions might explore, but are not limited to:

• Inequality / precarity

• The Global South

• Climate change

• Global democracy

• Civic media and civic imaginaries

• Afrofuturism

• The War on Terror

• International politics and speculative futures

• Post-humanisms

• The future of females

• Gendered violence

• Radical futurities

SUBMISSION FEE: $3

DEADLINE: N/A

bostonreview.submittable.com/submit

2017 FAB PRIZE

Faber & Faber / Andlyn Literary Agency

INFO: Faber & Faber and the Andlyn Literary Agency launch a new prize to find Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) writers and illustrators for children. 

Faber Children’s has teamed up with the Andlyn Literary Agency to create the Faber Andlyn BAME (FAB) Prize to help discover new writers and illustrators from BAME backgrounds, and to provide a year-long mentoring scheme for one author and one illustrator.

Judging panel: Faber Children’s Publisher Leah Thaxton, Andlyn Literary Agent Davinia Andrew-Lynch, Faber Creative Director Donna Payne, Faber Children’s Art Director Emma Eldridge. 

AWARDS:  

• First Prize - For text: £500, plus a private consultation with Leah Thaxton and Davinia Andrew-Lynch, followed by a year of regular mentoring, plus a selection of Faber books.
• Second Prize - Consultation with Leah Thaxton, Donna Payne, Emma Eldridge and Davinia Andrew-Lynch, plus a selection of Faber books.

DEADLINE: April 6, 2017 

bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/fab-prize

JOURNALISM 360 CHALLENGE

Knight Foundation / Google News Lab / Online News Association

INFO: Knight Foundation, Google News Lab and the Online News Association are partnering to launch an open call for ideas, offering up to $35,000 in funding to test, refine and build out a project. 

Virtual, augmented, mixed reality and 360 video are opening new opportunities for journalists to connect with audiences. In a news environment dominated by two-dimensional digital experiences, this technology allows people to interact with their surroundings and takes them places that they would otherwise not be able to go. At the same time they raise important technical and ethical challenges that journalists need to understand and explore.

For this open call, we want to discover ideas that grow immersive storytelling to advance the field of journalism—that inform and encourage news organizations to innovate, experiment and learn. We believe that developing lessons around this emerging area can help journalists extend and deepen their impact. 

They want projects that use immersive storytelling to fuel innovation and new ideas, while addressing the many open questions facing this nascent industry. They’re not prescriptive in what your project should be. They welcome all kinds of ideas, from new ways to produce and apply the technology, to the workflows, roles and skills required to create better journalism and enhanced storytelling techniques, to promoting ethics, transparency and accountability. They encourage collaboration on projects that will help advance the field. Their focus is not on funding content. They are primarily looking for projects that will yield lessons and “how-tos” for the field of journalism and encourage reporters and editors to think differently.

This challenge is open to anyone, from journalists, technologists, entrepreneurs, gamers, software developers and academics, to news organizations, startups, established businesses, nonprofits and individuals. Focused on early-stage ideas, the challenge encourages building fast, failing fast and learning from the journey.

AWARD: $250,000

DEADLINE: April 10, 2017 

knight.submittable.com/submit/f0fdf327-5b86-4a8a-ad22-1fd5b17cd134/journalism-360-challenge

 

KUNDIMAN MENTORSHIP 2017

Kundiman 

INFO: Kundiman is partnering with the Asian American Literary Review and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center to offer a mentorship program to emerging Asian American writers!

Mentees receive a two month long mentorship, $1000 honorarium, plus travel, lodging, and being a featured reader at the first-ever Asian American Literature Festival. They will also have their exchange published in the Asian American Literary Review.

During a two month long letter writing exchange, mentors and mentees will share work, exchange ideas about writing process, craft and practice, the writing life, Asian American history, and personal reflections about the world around them. The exchange will begin and end with a Skype conversation with mentors. The mentorship will culminate in a reading at the Asian American Literature Festival, July 27–July 29th in Washington, D.C., where mentees will meet with their mentor for lunch and participate in a featured reading.

Any writer who self-identifies as Asian American who has not published a full length book by the date of the festival. Writers must be in the United States at the time of the literary festival.

DEADLINE: April 15, 2017

kundiman.submittable.com/submit

2017 RED HEN PRESS NONFICTION AWARD

INFO: Established in 2015, the Red Hen Nonfiction Award seeks to recognize the art of true story-telling through literary craft. The awarded manuscript is selected through an annual submission process which is open to all authors.

AWARD: $1,000 and publication of the awarded manuscript by Red Hen Press 

ENTRY FEE: $20

DEADLINE: April 30, 2017

redhen.org/awards-2/red-hen-press-nonfiction-award/

WRITING RETREAT FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

Jack Jones Literary Arts

INFO: Jack Jones Literary Arts is hosting its first annual writing retreat at the Writer's Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, AR. This two-week retreat will be held October 16–30, 2017, and is open exclusively to women of color. National Book Award finalist, Angela Flournoy, author of The Turner House, is joining us as our Writer-in-Residence for week one, and Ruth Lilly and Dorothy Sargent Rosenberg Poetry Fellow and NEA award winner, Angel Nafis, author of BlackGirl Mansion, will join us as Writer-in-Residence for week two.

As part of the retreat experience, Jack Jones is featuring daily one hour Skype master classes with agents, editors and acclaimed women in publishing to promote networking, learning and engagement. These sessions are totally optional for retreat participants.

The retreat rate is $1050.00 for the two weeks and includes individual writing suites with bedroom, private bath, writing area, wifi, air conditioning, mini fridges, coffee makers, and all meals are provided.

Professional and emerging women writers of color at work on book projects are eligible for residencies. Students who are enrolled in a degree program are ineligible for a residency. Unfortunately, the Dairy Hollow grounds do not support wheelchairs or walkers. We are making every effort to secure a location for 2018 that is both cost-effective and accessible.

To apply to the Jack Jones Literary Arts writing retreat, please fill out our online application. The application includes a project proposal, a reference and the writing sample.

They will offer nine fully-funded scholarship opportunities, a travel stipend and admissions fee reimbursements. Supporting documentation will need to be submitted at the time of application.

APPLICATION FEE: $25

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: May 1, 2017
• Notification: Mailed out on June 1, 2017
• Retreat: October 16 - 30, 2017 

jackjonesliteraryarts.com/the-retreat/

FICTION / NONFICTION - MARCH 2017

EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

Grub Street

INFO: The Emerging Writer Fellowship aims to develop new, exciting voices by providing one writer per year tuition-free access to GrubStreet’s classes and Muse conference. Over the course of one year, the Emerging Writer Fellow will attend a combination of seminars and multi-week courses of their choosing, bookended by attendance at both the 2017 and the 2018 Muse and the Marketplace conference, in order to enhance their understanding of craft and the publishing industry. 

 The Emerging Writer Fellowship will be awarded to a person who demonstrates a passion for writing, a commitment to developing their writing abilities, and financial need. Any person 18 and older who demonstrates ability and passion for writing is eligible.

The Emerging Writer Fellowship will provide one writer access to the following:

• 4 multi-week courses
• 4 one-day (6hr) classes
• 4 three-hour seminars
• 2 three-day passes to the Muse and the Marketplace conference

The fellowship year begins at the 2017 Muse and the Marketplace conference and culminates in attendance at the 2018 Muse and the Marketplace.

 The Emerging Writer Fellowship was conceived on the principle that talent and passion shouldn't come second to a student's ability to pay. The program is designed for someone with a love for writing but without the financial ability to deepen their understanding of the craft through the many classes and seminars GrubStreet offers. 

This fellowship is open to anyone 18 and older with a passion for writing. The fellowship specifically aims to assist writers in need of financial assistance in reaching their writing goals. We particularly encourage people of color, ethnic minorities, those who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and other members of communities historically underrepresented by the literary community to apply. 

DEADLINE: March 1, 2017

grubstreet.org/programs/emerging-writer-fellowship/

EMERGING WRITER’S CONTEST

Ploughshares

INFO: The Emerging Writer's Contest is open to writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry who have yet to publish or self-publish a book.

Fiction and Nonfiction: Under 6,000 words
Poetry: 3-5 pages

AWARD: The winning story, essay, and poems from the 2017 contest will be published in the Winter 2017-18 issue of Ploughshares, and each writer will receive $2,000.

ENTRY FEE: $24, which is waived if the submitter is a current subscriber.

SUBMISSION PERIOD: March 1, 2017 at noon EST and closes May 15, 2017 at noon EST

pshares.org/submit/emerging-writers-contest/guidelines

CREATIVE WRITING FELLOWSHIP

National Endowment for the Arts

INFO: The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel, and general career advancement. Applications are reviewed through an anonymous process in which the only criteria for review are artistic excellence and artistic merit. To review the applications, the National Endowment for the Arts assembles a different advisory panel every year, each diverse with regard to geography, race and ethnicity, and artistic points of view.

Competition for fellowships is extremely rigorous.  They typically receive more than 1,000 applications each year in this category and award fellowships to fewer than 5% of applicants. You should consider carefully whether your work will be competitive at the national level.

AWARD: $25,000

DEADLINE: March 8, 2017

arts.gov/grants-individuals/creative-writing-fellowships/grant-program-description

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Shanghai Literary Review

INFO: The Shanghai Literary Review features quality creative work from or about Asia and introduces new voices to the critical conversation on world literature.

They are interested in art and criticism about urbanism, globalism, identity, and transnationalism, though by no means should submissions be limited to those topics. Selected works will be published online and/or in print and be automatically entered into their annual end-of-year contest where cash prizes will be awarded in each genre.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Fiction - less than 5,000 words
• Poetry - 2 poems submission limit per person
• Non-Fiction & Essay - less than 5,000 words
• Flash Fiction or Non-Fiction - less than 500 words
• Visual Art - photography, video, photo essay, collage, painting, sketch, etc.
• Translation - translation into English of any poetry, essay or short fiction from Asia, or vice versa, along with the original text
• Book Review - pitch book review ideas to us, on fiction or non-fiction from or about Asia

SUBMISSION FEE: $0

DEADLINE: March 11, 2017

shanghailiterary.com/submissions/

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: SUMMER WORKSHOPS

VONA / Voices

INFO: Applications for the summer workshop are currently being accepted. VONA/Voices is open to all adult writers-of-color at any level of experience. There are no degree, publication or documentation requirements to apply.

The application has a series of questions about your commitment to your writing and your enthusiasm for a community of writers-of-color. These responses are weighed heavily in your application.

The application asks you to choose one workshop. They encourage you to have a second choice.

Please know that they keep the workshops to ten participants; therefore, providing a second choice of workshop increases your possibilities of attendance.

WRITING SAMPLES: 

• Poetry submissions: 5 - 10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages)
• Prose Submissions: sample of one piece or combination of pieces to equal no more than 4000 words in genre
• Playwriting: up to 20 pages of script written for stage performance
• Residency: up to 4000 words in a non-fiction, novel or short fiction or 5-10 poems (not to exceed 20 pages)

FEES: 

• Application: $25
• Tuition: $900
• Room & Board: (optional, but recommended) $750
• Limited number of partial tuition scholarships available

DEADLINE: March 15, 2017

vonacommunity.org/community/index.php/apply.html

SPECIAL FEATURE ON LITERATURE FROM BANNED COUNTRIES

Asymptote
INFO: Asymptote seeks unpublished literary fiction, literary nonfiction and poetry from the seven countries on Trump's banned list (i.e. from authors who identify as being from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) that have been created in response to Trump's travel ban, or can be interpreted as such.

If selected for publication, the work will run either in their Translation Tuesday showcase at The Guardian or in their April 2017 quarterly edition (or both). Submissions of original English-language work will only be considered for publication in their April 2017 edition. For works in English translation, the decision as to where the work will be placed rests entirely at the discretion of our editor-in-chief, who curates Translation Tuesdays at The Guardian and who will be assembling this Special Feature. 

COMPENSATION: $200 per article.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2017  

asymptotejournal.com/submit/

2017 SUMMER AND FALL ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM

Space Studio

INFO: The SPACE residency program provides a unique working environment for emerging and mid-career artists seeking support for their practice. 

Visual artists, filmmakers, writers, collaborative groups and curators who are not currently enrolled in an academic program and live outside of Maine are eligible to apply. A civically and socially engaged arts organization, SPACE strongly encourages artists who understand themselves as being outside the privilege of hetero-normative, white, male-centered identity to apply. Preference will be given to artists whose practices engage with contemporary issues and socially relevant concepts.

During the summer and fall of 2017, five artists will be selected for residencies lasting between two to four weeks, depending on the amount of time each project necessitates. Each resident is offered housing and 24-hour access to a private studio space. 

AWARD: Each artist will be awarded a $500 stipend. Other resources such as projectors, a/v equipment, hardware and tools are made available upon request. Residents are also granted free access to all SPACE programs (films, concerts, community forums etc.) during their stay.

While in residence at SPACE, visiting artists are expected to make the most of their self-directed schedule. They are required to be involved with at least one public engagement program that connects their work to the community, which can take the form of an artist talk, a performance, a reading or other comparable event.

DEADLINE: March 15, 2017 at 11:59pm

spacestudios.org/apply-residency/

SCIENCE FICTION ANTHOLOGY: AFROFUTURISM

Afrocentric Books

INFO: Afrocentric Books is taking submissions for a futurism anthology. Futurism is a broad umbrella, encompassing many elements of science fiction and fantasy. For this anthology, we are most interested in science fiction. Time travel, space travel, cultures far advanced from our own. This world, other worlds, space stations, the setting doesn’t matter.

They want adult science fiction stories in diverse settings, featuring diverse people. The “in the future all people are a uniform color of café au lait” trope does not interest them. While it is not necessary for you to describe the physical features of all your characters, we do want to know that one of your main characters is of indigenous African descent.

1,000-7,500 words, although they’ll consider pieces that fall outside those parameters on a case-by-case basis. Multiple and simultaneous submissions ok. No reprints.

COMPENSATION: If accepted, pay is 1 cent per word. 

DEADLINE: March 31, 2017

mugwumppress.com/afrocentric/afrofuturism/

WINTER 2017 STORY CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: The contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. They’re looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction. Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

AWARD:

• First Prize is $2,500
• Second Prize is $1,000
• Third Prize is $500
• Ten finalists will receive $100 each
• All entries will be considered for publication

SUBMISSION FEE: $25 (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage).

DEADLINE: March 31, 2017, at midnight, Pacific daylight time.

narrativemagazine.com/winter-2017-story-contest

FICTION / NONFICTION - FEBRUARY 2017

HURSTON / WRIGHT COLLEGE WRITERS AWARD

The Zora Neale Hurston / Richard Wright Foundation

INFO: The Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is proud to host the annual Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers, which is the only award of its kind that recognizes Black college writers. The award is the foundation’s first program. It was initiated to support emerging Black artists in fiction and poetry enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate school program anywhere in the United States.   

Black writers who are full-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs at any university in the United States are eligible to submit a work of fiction or poetry for consideration. They must be enrolled at the time of submission. Full-time student includes low-residency MFA programs. At this time, students in online-only courses of university programs are not considered eligible for the award. 

Writers are ineligible if they have published books, including poetry chapbooks or fiction narratives, through any publishing platform. 

All work submitted must be original and unpublished at the time of submission. Author name and contact details should be on a separate page. Only the title should appear on the work because judges will not know who submitted or what school the student attends.

Hurston/Wright does not accept work that is submitted simultaneously to multiple competitions. Therefore, we make every effort to notify writers by the end of April whether their submissions were accepted or not accepted. 

Awards will be announced in May. Award winners and honorable mentions will be invited to attend the Legacy Award ceremony that is hosted in October in Washington, DC. 

SUBMISSION FEE: $25 

DEADLINE: February 1, 2017

hurstonwrightfoundation.submittable.com/submit/47974  

NEW AMERICA FELLOWS PROGRAM

INFO: New America’s Fellows Program invests in thinkers — academics, journalists, independent scholars, and public policy analysts — who offer fresh and often unconventional perspectives on the major challenges facing our society.

Fellows advance big ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and/or storytelling. The big idea can be a sweeping reframing of a familiar subject through new research or a new combination of existing research; a masterful presentation of a case study that advances our understanding of a timeless American theme or stress fracture; an innovative new media or academic project to disseminate knowledge about a shared challenge; or a bold policy prescription for moving domestic and international issues forward. 

The goal of the Fellows Program is to find bold, iconoclastic thinkers and to fund them for one to two years, long enough so that they can write a book, develop a series of articles, make a documentary, or work on another project that would be accessible to a broad audience and long enough to be able to build a real community among the fellows. 

Fellows benefit from a financial stipend, engagement with each other and with New America’s various policy programs, and the expanded audience and exposure from New America and its media partners. Precise terms and stipend levels of fellowships vary widely, as some fellows work full-time at New America in pursuit of their research, while many others have other professional commitments during the term of their fellowship.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: February 1, 2017
• Fellowship: September 2017 to August 2018

new-america.forms.fm/new-america-fellows-program-class-of-2018-application

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Apogee 

INFO: Apogee Journal’s reading period is now open. They are seeking fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for Issue 09, to be published Summer 2017.   

Apogee is a journal of literature and art that engages with identity politics, including but not limited to: race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and intersectional identities. They are a biannual print publication featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. Their goals are twofold: to publish fresh work that interrogates the status quo, and to provide a platform for underrepresented voices, prioritizing artists and writers of color. 

They look for work that centers the experience of marginalized perspectives. They want to foster work that addresses the politics of identity, such as migration, diaspora, multiculturalism, privilege, hierarchy, oppression, though these themes are not a requirement for publication. They believe the exploration of perspectives and voices that are mostly unheard and ignored is a political act itself.

 DEADLINE: February 15, 2017

apogeejournal.submittable.com/submit

CDS DOCUMENTARY ESSAY PRIZE

Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University

 INFO: The CDS Documentary Essay Prize honors the best in writing. The focus is on current or recently completed work (within the last two years) from a long-term project—fifteen to twenty pages of writing. 

AWARD: $3,000 and a feature story in the Center for Documentary Studies’ digital publications. The winner’s work will also be placed in the Archive of Documentary Arts at the Rubenstein Library, Duke University. 

DEADLINE: February 15, 2017

documentarystudies.duke.edu/awards/documentary-essay-prize

EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP 2017

The Center for Fiction

INFO: The Center for Fiction will be selecting nine writers in 2017 for and a one-year fellowship. Applicants must be current residents of one of the five boroughs, and must maintain residency in New York City for the entire year of the fellowship. Students in degree-granting programs are not eligible to apply, even if the focus of study is not directly related to writing. This program supports emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their careers as fiction writers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who has not yet had a novel or short story collection published by either a major or independent publisher and who is also not currently under contract to a publisher for a work of fiction. Eligible applicants may have had stories or novel excerpts published in magazines, literary journals or online, but this is not a requirement. 

AWARD:

• A grant of $5,000
• The option to engage in a mentorship with a selected freelance editor
• The opportunity to meet with agents who represent new writers
• A Center for Fiction membership that includes borrowing privileges for our collection of new fiction and fiction-related titles
• Free admission to all Center events for one year, including tickets to our First Novel Fete and benefit dinner as space allows
• 30% discount on tuition at select writing workshops at the Center
• Two public readings as part of our annual program of events and inclusion in an anthology distributed to industry professionals
• A professional headshot with a photographer for personal publicity use  

DEADLINE: February 15, 2017, by 11pm

centerforfiction.org/forwriters/grants-and-awards/?mc_cid=4bfe73bd11&mc_eid=591acda9d1

SELF-PUBLISHING LITERARY AWARDS

Black Caucus of the American Library Association

INFO: The Black Caucus of ALA (BCALA) honors the best self-published ebooks by an African American author in the U.S. in the following genres: Fiction and Poetry. 

Entries must have been written by an African American author born in the U.S. The competition is open to all English-language self-published ebooks for which the author is the copyright holder of the Work, and holds the rights to digital distribution. Entries will be evaluated on content, writing quality and overall quality of production and appearance; and must be an original work.

 These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora. The purpose is to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and scholarly research including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African Americans.

 PRIZES:

• Two (2) $500.00 awards: one for adult fiction, one for adult poetry;
• Formal recognition at the Black Caucus of ALA Literary Awards;
• BCALA Literary Award Seal to use in marketing.

DEADLINE: February 17, 2017

bcala.org

RESTLESS BOOKS PRIZE FOR NEW IMMIGRANT WRITING

Restless Books 

INFO: The Restless Books Prize for New Immigrant Writing alternates yearly between accepting unpublished fiction and nonfiction submissions. Fiction submissions can take the form of a novel or a collection of short stories. Nonfiction submissions can take the form of a memoir, a collection of essays, or a book-length work of narrative nonfiction 

Fiction manuscripts must be complete. Nonfiction submissions must consist of either a complete manuscript, or 100 sample pages plus a detailed proposal that includes a synopsis and an annotated table of contents. All submissions must be in English (translations welcome). 

Candidates must be first-generation residents of the United States. “First-generation” can refer either to people born in another country who relocated to the U.S., or to American-born residents whose parents were born elsewhere.

Fiction candidates must not have previously published a work of fiction with a US publishing house. Nonfiction candidates must not have previously published a book of nonfiction with a US publishing house. They encourage applicants to look at the other books Restless has released and previous contest winners to get a sense of our aesthetic.

PRIZE: $10,000 and publication by Restless Books

 DEADLINE: February 27, 2017

restlessbooks.com/prize-for-new-immigrant-writing/

GRACE PALEY PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.  

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 150–300 manuscript pages. 

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.  

AWARD: $5,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members

DEADLINE: February 28, 2017 

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview  

AWP PRIZE FOR THE NOVEL

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.  

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 60,000 words. 

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript. 

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.

AWARD: $2,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members 

DEADLINE: February 28, 2017

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview

AWP PRIZE FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 150–300 manuscript pages.

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.  

AWARD: $2,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members

DEADLINE: February 28, 2017

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview  

EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

Grub Street

INFO: The Emerging Writer Fellowship aims to develop new, exciting voices by providing one writer per year tuition-free access to GrubStreet’s classes and Muse conference. Over the course of one year, the Emerging Writer Fellow will attend a combination of seminars and multi-week courses of their choosing, bookended by attendance at both the 2017 and the 2018 Muse and the Marketplace conference, in order to enhance their understanding of craft and the publishing industry. 

 The Emerging Writer Fellowship will be awarded to a person who demonstrates a passion for writing, a commitment to developing their writing abilities, and financial need. Any person 18 and older who demonstrates ability and passion for writing is eligible.

The Emerging Writer Fellowship will provide one writer access to the following:

• 4 multi-week courses
• 4 one-day (6hr) classes
• 4 three-hour seminars
• 2 three-day passes to the Muse and the Marketplace conference

The fellowship year begins at the 2017 Muse and the Marketplace conference and culminates in attendance at the 2018 Muse and the Marketplace.

 The Emerging Writer Fellowship was conceived on the principle that talent and passion shouldn't come second to a student's ability to pay. The program is designed for someone with a love for writing but without the financial ability to deepen their understanding of the craft through the many classes and seminars GrubStreet offers. 

This fellowship is open to anyone 18 and older with a passion for writing. The fellowship specifically aims to assist writers in need of financial assistance in reaching their writing goals. We particularly encourage people of color, ethnic minorities, those who identify as LGBTQ, people with disabilities, and other members of communities historically underrepresented by the literary community to apply. 

DEADLINE: March 1, 2017

grubstreet.org/programs/emerging-writer-fellowship/

FICTION / NONFICTION - JANUARY 2017

STEINBECK FELLOWS PROGRAM

San Jose State University

INFO: The Steinbeck Fellows Program of San José State University (SJSU), which was endowed through the generosity of Martha Heasley Cox, offers emerging writers of any age and background the opportunity to pursue a significant writing project while in residence at SJSU. The emphasis of the program is on helping writers who have had some success, but not published extensively, and whose promising work would be aided by the financial support and sponsorship of the Center and the University's creative writing program.

Currently, SJSU offers one-year fellowships in Steinbeck scholarship and in creative writing, including fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and biography. Applications in poetry will not be accepted. In awarding fellowships, the selection committee considers the quality of the candidate's proposal and any factors that would lead to expectations of future publication and other achievement.  Fellows may not be enrolled in a degree program during the fellowship period.

The Steinbeck Fellowship Program is named in honor of author John Steinbeck and is guided by his lifetime of work in literature, the media, and environmental activism. The program offers the opportunity to interact with other writers, faculty and graduate students, and to share their work in progress by giving a public reading once each semester during the fellowship.  

AWARD: The fellowships afford a stipend of $10,000. Residency in the San José area is required during the academic year (approximately 1 September - 20 May).

DEADLINE: January 2, 2017

sjsu.edu/steinbeck/fellows/steinbeckfellows_apply/ 

GRACE PALEY PRIZE FOR SHORT FICTION

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.  

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 150–300 manuscript pages. 

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.  

AWARD: $5,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 1 – February 28, 2017 

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview  

AWP PRIZE FOR THE NOVEL

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.  

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 60,000 words. 

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript. 

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.

AWARD: $2,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members 

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 1 – February 28, 2017

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview

AWP PRIZE FOR CREATIVE NONFICTION

Association of Writers & Writing Programs

INFO: AWP’s Award Series is an annual competition for the publication of excellent new book-length works. The competition is open to all authors writing in English regardless of nationality or residence, and it is open to published and unpublished authors alike.

Only book-length manuscripts are eligible. The Award Series defines “book-length” as: 150–300 manuscript pages.

Stories previously published in periodicals are eligible for inclusion in submissions, but manuscripts previously published in their entirety, including self-published manuscripts, are not eligible. As the series is judged anonymously, no list of acknowledgements should accompany your manuscript.

The AWP Award Series is open to all authors writing original works in English for adult readers.  

AWARD: $2,500

SUBMISSION FEE: $30 for nonmembers; $20 for members

APPLICATION PERIOD: January 1 – February 28, 2017

awpwriter.org/contests/awp_award_series_overview  

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: THE ISLANDS ART WRITING RESIDENCY

Fogo Island Arts

INFO: Art Metropole and Fogo Island Arts are seeking applications for The Islands, a two-part residency that aims to encourage arts writing and criticism in contemporary art. Open to Canadian and international applicants, The Islands will take place on Fogo Island and at Artscape Gibraltar Point on Toronto Island, Canada, from May 1 to June 15, 2017.

The Islands invites emerging and established arts writers and artists with a writing practice to think about writing, remoteness, isolation and time across two unique locations. The successful candidate will spend a month on Fogo Island as part of Fogo Island Arts’ residency program, followed by two weeks on Toronto Island at Artscape Gibraltar Point. The project will culminate in a small publication funded, published, and distributed by Art Metropole.

Arts writing practices may range in structure, content, and medium, addressing various forms and disciplines that may include poetry, art criticism, and experimental writing; periodical production (journals, art books, magazines), or edition production (art multiples, prints, posters). Applications should directly consider the role of writing in the arts, and take into consideration the unique circumstances of the residencies. 

DEADLINE: January 6, 2017 

artmetropole.com/events/the-islands

CALL FOR PAPERS: “OUR MISS BROOKS: A CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION"

2017 National Black Writers Conference Biennial Symposium

INFO: The year 2017 marks the centennial of the birth of Gwendolyn Brooks, who through her powerful, passionate, social and politically conscious poetry and prose, used a range of modern literary aesthetics to provide a window into the life of Blacks in 20th century urban America. Brooks was the first Black author to win the Pulitzer Prize and was poetry consultant to the Library of Congress. The author of the poetry collections Annie Allen and The Bean Eaters, and the novel Maud Martha, Gwendolyn Brooks claims an irrefutable place in our literary canon. In partnership with “Our Miss Brooks 100,” the Center for Black Literature is proud to take part in the yearlong “Our Miss Brooks: A Centennial Celebration.”

 For the 2017 NBWC Biennial Symposium, the Center for Black Literature invites poets, writers, independent researchers, interested faculty and students to submit proposals that examine the life of Gwendolyn Brooks and the themes in her works. Proposals may include but are not limited to the following subjects:

Brooks was a socially conscious African-American poet whose most recognized works in the 1950s and 1960s were created from the challenging times Blacks faced in America and also represented a portrait of the people that surrounded her. More than 65 year later, with the establishment of the Black Lives Matter movement, in what ways does Brooks’s poems, prose, and community activism resonate in today’s society

In his book Honoring Genius, Gwendolyn Brooks: The Narrative of Craft, Art, Kindness and Justice, Haki R. Madhubuti writes: “Ms. Brooks was a woman who could not live without her art, but who had never put her art above or before the people she wrote about.” With this reflection in mind, examine the ways in which Brooks’s prose and poetry reflect the human experience as well as the experiences of Blacks in America.

DEADLINE: January 9, 2017

centerforblackliterature.org/call_for_papers_miss_brooks/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: PROTECTING SACRED SPACES

As/Us

 INFO: As/Us accepts poetry, spoken word, creative nonfiction, fiction, academic essays, and more, from Indigenous writers, writers of color, and allies. 

Their next issue will be dedicated to the protectors, defenders, and warriors. This is a global call for songs of survival, stories of sacred spaces, poems of protection, essays of experiences in taking a stand, and art honoring the earth from Standing Rock to Oak Flat to Mauna Kea, and every other place being threatened. Submissions open to Indigenous writers, writers of color and allies. 

DEADLINE: January 9, 2016 

asusjournal.org/submissions/  

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Tor.com

INFO: Tor.com is seeking unsolicited novella submissions. They will be considering novellas of between 20,000 and 40,000 words that fit the epic fantasy, sword and sorcery, high fantasy, or quest fantasy genres, whether set on Earth or on an original fantasy world. However, they will only be considering novellas that inhabit worlds that are not modeled on European cultures. They are seeking worlds that take their influences from Africa, Asia, indigenous American, Pacific, or any diasporic culture from one of those sources.

To qualify, novellas should center the experiences of characters from non-European-inspired cultures. Both Lee Harris and Carl Engle-Laird actively request submissions from writers from underrepresented populations. This includes, but is not limited to, writers of any race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, class and physical or mental ability. They believe that good science fiction and fantasy reflects the incredible diversity and potential of the human species, and hope our catalog will reflect that.

 DEADLINE: January 12, 2017, at 9:00am EST

submissions.tor.com/tornovellas/

ANNUAL RETREAT

Kundiman

INFO: In order to help mentor the next generation of Asian American writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual Retreat in partnership with Fordham University. During the Retreat, nationally renowned Asian American poets and writers conduct Master Classes and manuscript consultations with fellows. Readings, writing circles and informal social gatherings are also scheduled. Through this Retreat, Kundiman hopes to provide a safe and instructive environment that identifies and addresses the unique challenges faced by emerging Asian American writers. This five-day Retreat takes place from Wednesday June 21 to Sunday June 25. Workshops will not exceed six students.

FEES:

• The non-refundable tuition fee is $375.
• Room and board provided free to accepted fellows.
• The application fee is $25.

DEADLINE: January 15, 2017

kundiman.org/retreat/

2017 NYSCA/NYFA ARTIST FELLOWSHIP

INFO: For the past 31 years, NYFA has awarded fellowships to individual originating artists living in New York State and/or Indian Nations located in New York State. NYFA is committed to supporting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds at all stages of their professional careers.  

2017 Fellowship Categories:

• Crafts/Sculpture
• Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts
• Nonfiction Literature
• Poetry
• Digital/Electronic Arts

AWARD: NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships, awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period, are $7,000 cash awards made to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use. These fellowships are not project grants but are intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development.

(Includes the Joanne Chen Fellowship awarded annually to a Taiwanese American artist resident in New York. The winner of this award will receive an unrestricted grant of $7,000.)

DEADLINE: January 25, 2017 at 11:59pm

nyfa.org/Content/Show/Artists'%20Fellowships

2017-18 DAVID T.K. WONG FELLOWSHIP

INFO: The David T. K. Wong Creative Writing Fellowship is a unique and generous annual award that enables a fiction writer who wants to write in English about the Far East to spend a year in the UK, at the University of East Anglia in Norwich.

The Fellowship will be awarded to a writer planning to produce a work of prose fiction in English which deals seriously with some aspect of life in the Far East (Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Peoples’ Republic of China, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam). The successful candidate will be selected by a distinguished international panel. There will be no interviews, and candidates will be judged entirely on the quality and promise of their writing and the project they describe.

Fellows take up their appointments on 1st October each year. The Fellow will be a member of the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing and will be required to reside at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom for the academic year, accommodation will be provided on campus, to be paid for by the Fellow out of the Fellowship Award. Shared office space and computer facilities will be made available for the Fellow in the School. During the residential period, the Fellow will be required to submit written work to a nominated mentor and take part in Creative Writing Research Seminars. No teaching duties attach to the Fellowship.

The Fellowship is named for its sponsor Mr David Wong, a retired Hong Kong businessman who has also been a teacher, journalist and senior civil servant, and is a writer of fiction. The Fellowship was launched in 1997 and the first Fellow appointed from 1st October 1998.

AWARD: £26,000

DEADLINE: January 30, 2017

uea.ac.uk/literature/fellowships/david-tk-wong-fellowship

CAINE PRIZE FOR AFRICAN WRITING

INFO: The Caine Prize for African Writing aims is to bring African writing to a wider audience through their annual literary award. In addition to administering the Prize, they work to connect readers with African writers through a series of public events, as well as helping emerging writers in Africa to enter the world of mainstream publishing through the annual Caine Prize writers’ workshop, which takes place in a different African country each year. 

AWARD: Winning and short-listed authors will be invited to participate in writers’ workshops in Africa, London and elsewhere as resources permit. There is a cash prize of £10,000 for the winning author and a travel award for each of the short-listed candidates (up to five in all). The shortlisted candidates will also receive a Prize of £500. The winner is also invited to go to three literature festivals in Kenya, South Africa and Nigeria.

 DEADLINE: January 31, 2017

 caineprize.com/how-to-enter/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

On She Goes

INFO: On She Goes is planning to launch in Spring 2017 and will include reported articles, essays, and local guides. Their publishing schedule will follow monthly themes, and at launch we'll be exploring how We Belong Here. Women of color have been traveling and we belong everywhere. What happened when you weren't sure if you should visit a city, but you went anyway? How did you feel out of place in a new country and made the best of it? Are there travel groups you want to report on or interesting travelers you want to interview? Do you have an idea for a guide that would help fellow women of color travelers feel at home in your hometown? Are there travel-related films and books by women of color that you're interested in reviewing? Did you move somewhere new and want to share what your new city is like?

They're interested in your ideas and experiences to share on a platform by, for, and about women of color and travel. They're looking for pieces that explore how race, gender, food culture, fashion, travel industry, homeland, feminism, politics, and more intersect with travel. Whether it's an experience that you still reflect on from years ago or an upcoming trip that you want to write about, they're open to your ideas. 

 DEADLINE: January 31, 2017

https://onshegoes.submittable.com/submit

NEW YORK CITY EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

Center for Fiction

INFO: The New York City Emerging Writers Fellowship offers the following:

• The option to engage in a mentorship with a selected freelance editor  
• The opportunity to meet with agents who represent new writers
• A Center for Fiction membership that includes borrowing privileges for our collection of new fiction and fiction-related titles
• Free admission to all Center events for one year, including tickets to our First Novel Fete, and Benefit Dinner as space allows
• 30% discount on tuition at select writing workshops at the Center
• Two public readings as part of our annual program of events and inclusion in an anthology distributed to industry professionals
• A professional headshot with a photographer for personal publicity use    

AWARD: $5,000

DEADLINE: January 31, 2017

http://www.centerforfiction.org/forwriters/grants-and-awards/

HURSTON / WRIGHT COLLEGE WRITERS AWARD

The Zora Neale Hurston / Richard Wright Foundation

INFO: The Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Foundation is proud to host the annual Hurston/Wright Award for College Writers, which is the only award of its kind that recognizes Black college writers. The award is the foundation’s first program. It was initiated to support emerging Black artists in fiction and poetry enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate school program anywhere in the United States.   

Black writers who are full-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs at any university in the United States are eligible to submit a work of fiction or poetry for consideration. They must be enrolled at the time of submission. Full-time student includes low-residency MFA programs. At this time, students in online-only courses of university programs are not considered eligible for the award. 

Writers are ineligible if they have published books, including poetry chapbooks or fiction narratives, through any publishing platform. 

All work submitted must be original and unpublished at the time of submission. Author name and contact details should be on a separate page. Only the title should appear on the work because judges will not know who submitted or what school the student attends.

Hurston/Wright does not accept work that is submitted simultaneously to multiple competitions. Therefore, we make every effort to notify writers by the end of April whether their submissions were accepted or not accepted. 

Awards will be announced in May. Award winners and honorable mentions will be invited to attend the Legacy Award ceremony that is hosted in October in Washington, DC. 

SUBMISSION FEE: $25 

DEADLINE: February 1, 2017

hurstonwrightfoundation.submittable.com/submit/47974  

NEW AMERICA FELLOWS PROGRAM

 INFO: New America’s Fellows Program invests in thinkers — academics, journalists, independent scholars, and public policy analysts — who offer fresh and often unconventional perspectives on the major challenges facing our society.

Fellows advance big ideas through research, reporting, analysis, and/or storytelling. The big idea can be a sweeping reframing of a familiar subject through new research or a new combination of existing research; a masterful presentation of a case study that advances our understanding of a timeless American theme or stress fracture; an innovative new media or academic project to disseminate knowledge about a shared challenge; or a bold policy prescription for moving domestic and international issues forward. 

The goal of the Fellows Program is to find bold, iconoclastic thinkers and to fund them for one to two years, long enough so that they can write a book, develop a series of articles, make a documentary, or work on another project that would be accessible to a broad audience and long enough to be able to build a real community among the fellows. 

Fellows benefit from a financial stipend, engagement with each other and with New America’s various policy programs, and the expanded audience and exposure from New America and its media partners. Precise terms and stipend levels of fellowships vary widely, as some fellows work full-time at New America in pursuit of their research, while many others have other professional commitments during the term of their fellowship.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline: February 1, 2017
• Fellowship: September 2017 to August 2018

new-america.forms.fm/new-america-fellows-program-class-of-2018-application

FICTION / NONFICTION - DECEMBER 2016

THE GIGANTIC BOOK OF TINY CRIMES SEEKS FLASH NOIR / CRIME

Catapult

INFO: The Gigantic Book of Tiny Crimes, an anthology of "flash noir" to be published by Catapult's Black Balloon imprint, will feature 50 tales of tiny tightrope robberies, disastrously diminutive double crosses, mournful muggings, and murders both foul and sweet. This anthology of flash noir will explore the genre of crime fiction—from the most hardboiled of noirs to the coziest of mysteries—gathering leading and emerging literary voices who scour the underbelly of modern life to expose the criminal, the illegal, and the depraved.

They’re looking for a diverse collection of stories from writers of different aesthetics and backgrounds. Crime fiction is defined loosely here, with an eye toward weird crime/noir—stories that push against and redefine what a crime is, and who criminals are. Previously unpublished stories only.

Nadxieli Nieto and Lincoln Michel previously co-edited and published Gigantic Worlds, a science flash fiction anthology with new (or previously uncollected) work from Ted Chiang, Jonathan Lethem, Lynne Tillman, Charles Yu, Alissa Nutting, Philip K. Dick, and more.

DEADLINE: December 15, 2016

catapult.submittable.com/submit/68890/the-gigantic-book-of-tiny-crimes-seeks-flash-noir-crime

BCALA LITERARY AWARDS

Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. 

INFO: The Literary Awards Committee of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association, Inc. (BCALA) is now accepting submissions for the annual BCALA Literary Awards. The Committee will present four prizes of $500.00 each for adult books written by African American authors: a First Novelist Award, a Fiction Award, a Nonfiction Award, and a Poetry Award. The First Novelist Award is given to recognize an outstanding work by a first time African American fiction writer. Honor Book citations are also awarded in fiction and nonfiction without any accompanying monetary remuneration. Additionally, an Outstanding Contribution to Publishing citation is provided to an author and/or publishing company for unique books that offer a positive depiction of African Americans.

First presented at the Second National Conference of African American Librarians in 1994, the BCALA Literary Awards acknowledge outstanding works of fiction and nonfiction for adult audiences by African American authors. Recipients of these awards offer outstanding depictions of the cultural, historical or sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora and embody the highest quality of writing style and research methodology, if applicable.

Books from small, large and specialty publishers are welcome for review consideration. Titles forwarded for review must be published between January 2016 and December 2016. Sets or multi-volume works are eligible. New editions of previously published works are eligible only if more than 30% of the total content is new or revised material. Inspirational, self-help, and adult graphic novels are ineligible. Only finished, published books should be submitted; galleys (bound or unbound) and chapbooks are unacceptable.

Please send one copy of each title submitted to each member of the Literary Awards Committee. A Committee roster with their addresses can be found at here.

Supply all available information regarding the submission, including promotional material, author biography and available news articles and reviews.

BCALA Literary Awards Criteria
BCALA presents four (4) $500.00 awards: one for adult fiction, one for nonfiction, one for a first novelist and one for poetry. These awards acknowledge outstanding achievement in the presentation of the cultural, historical and sociopolitical aspects of the Black Diaspora.

• The Fiction Award recognizes depictions of sensitive and authentic personal experience either within the framework of contemporary literary standards and themes or which explore innovative literary formats.
• The Nonfiction Award honors cultural, historical, political, or social criticism or academic and/or professional research which significantly advances the body of knowledge currently associated with the people and the legacy of the Black Diaspora. (Categories could include the humanities, science and technology, social and behavioral sciences and reference).
• The First Novelist Award acknowledges outstanding achievement in writing and storytelling by a first time fiction writer.
• The Outstanding Contribution to Publishing Citation recognizes the author and/or the publishing company (for their support and publication of) special and unique books that recognize the outstanding achievements and positive depiction of contributions of the people and legacy of the Black Diaspora.
• The Poetry Award strives to recognize and promote emerging and established poets that introduce and foster the joys of poetry writing.

Additionally, honor books may be selected in each category.
Purpose: To encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and scholarly research including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African Americans.

Criteria:

• Must portray some aspect of the African American experience past, present or future.
• All authors, editors and contributors must be African American(s) born in the United States.
• Must be published in the United States in the year preceding presentation of the award.
• Must be an original work.

DEADLINE: December 16, 2016

bcala.org/book-award/

OPEN CITY MUSLIM COMMUNITIES FELLOWSHIP

Asian American Writers’ Workshop

INFO: Trump's election in November has already meant a dramatic increase in anti-Muslim hate crimes across the United States, including in New York City. With the frightening reality of what his presidency will continue to mean for Muslims in this country, the Asian American Writers’ Workshop is now accepting applications for the Open City Muslim Communities Fellowship, a unique six-month opportunity for emerging writers of color from communities under attack from Islamophobia to publish narrative nonfiction about Muslim communities in New York City.

They're looking for writers to create deft, engaging narratives that bring the face, name, place, and heart of the community to issues like racial profiling, police surveillance and Islamophobia.

Specifically, they are looking for writers who:

• Are willing to spend time reporting in Muslim neighborhoods and talking to people about their lives, hopes and fears; 
• Understand the urgency in writing stories that depict how it is to be a Muslim in today’s America;
• Are committed to social justice, dedicated to helping promote efforts by the community to fight anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiments and actions;
• Are strong, voice-driven storytellers who care about social justice movements and transporting readers to places like Jackson Heights and Astoria in Queens; Bay Ridge and Boerum Hill in Brooklyn; and Mott Haven and Parkchester in The Bronx.

AAWW recognizes the heterogeneity of the Muslim community in New York City, and are looking to create a home for writers from Arab American, West Asian, Central Asian, Persian, Afghan, East and North African, Black Muslim, South Asian, and Southeast Asian communities in New York City.

Please note that applicants for the Fellowship need not be Asian American but must be persons of color.

Please note, they are accepting applications for two separate sessions of the fellowship, each of which will last six months. The first session will begin in mid-January 2017 and end in mid-July, while the second batch will start in mid-March 2017 and end in mid-September.

AWARD: $2,500 stipend, skill-building workshops, and publishing opportunities to up to five writers to write on the diverse Muslim communities of New York City. 

DEADLINE: December 19, 2016, by 5 pm

aaww.submittable.com/submit/72756/apply-open-city-muslim-communities-fellowship-2017

AMERICAN BOOK AWARDS

Before Columbus Foundation

INFO: The American Book Awards Program respects and honors excellence in American literature without restriction or bias with regard to race, sex, creed, cultural origin, size of press or ad budget, or even genre. 

All winners are accorded equal standing. Their publishers are also to be honored for both their commitment to quality and their willingness to take the risks that accompany publishing outstanding books and authors that may not prove “cost-effective” in the short run. There are special Award designations (such as Lifetime Achievement) for contributions to American literature beyond a recently published book.

The American Book Awards Program is not associated with any industry group or trade organization. The American Book Awards offer no cash prize nor do they require any financial commitments from the authors or their publishers. The Award winners are nominated and selected by a panel of writers, editors, and publishers who also represent the diversity of American literary culture.

There are no application forms, fees, or any other restrictions for submissions, nominations, or recommendations to the panel. The book is what matters, not the procedure. The only requirement is that two copies of the book must be mailed to the Before Columbus Foundation for the following year’s Awards. Anyone may make a submission (it does not have to be the publisher). There is no limit on the number of titles that may be submitted. All genres are accepted (including anthologies, children’s books, and multimedia). You may include reviews, publicity, or other informational material with your submission if you wish.

DEADLINE: December 31, 2016

beforecolumbusfoundation.com/american-book-awards/

CALL FOR SUBMISSION: THE AFRICAN LITERARY HUSTLE ISSUE

New Orleans Review

INFO: When African literature is published in the West, it is too often realist, in English, and always in the spirit of Chinua Achebe. But romance, science fiction, fantasy, epic, experimental poetry, satire, political allegory all find expression in Africa, though not necessarily publication. Those who are called to write often have to hustle to get recognition by writing a coming-of-age colonial encounter tale or hustle even harder to have their unique voices heard.

In a special issue of New Orleans Review guest edited by Mukoma wa Ngugi and Laura Murphy, we will celebrate (and publish) popular and not-so popular writing from Africa. We are looking for literature (in all the above named forms and others we can’t predict) and critical essays that expand the dimensions of African literature, contribute defiant visions, provide new translations, or revise narratives of the tradition or the hustle.

Prose submissions should be 7,500 words or fewer; poetry submissions five poems or fewer. Simultaneous submissions are okay. 

• Fiction: Submit fiction pieces up to 2,500 words. Flash fiction welcome. No previously published work (online or in print). Simultaneous submissions are okay.
• Nonfiction: Submit nonfiction pieces up to 2,500 words. Flash nonfiction welcome. No previously published work (online or in print). Simultaneous submissions are okay.
• Poetry: Submit up to five pages of poems. No previously published work (online or in print). Simultaneous submissions are okay.

SUBMISSION FEE: $3

DEADLINE: December 31, 2016

neworleansreview.org/submit/ 

HAZEL ROWLEY PRIZE

Biographers International Organization

INFO: In an increasingly complex publishing world, the prize aims to help a first-time biographer of real promise in four ways: through funding (the $2,000 prize); by securing a careful reading from at least one established agent; a year’s membership in BIO; and publicity through the BIO website, The Biographers Craft newsletter, etc. The prize is a way for BIO, a grassroots organization of working biographers, to advance its mission and extend its reach to talented new practitioners.

The prize will be given for the third time at the next BIO conference, in late spring 2017. Judges for the 2017 prize are distinguished biographers Blake Bailey and Amanda Vaill.

The prize is open to citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. and Canada, writing in English, working on a biography that has not been commissioned, contracted, or self-published, and who have never published a biography, history, or work of narrative nonfiction. Biography as defined for this prize is a narrative of an individual’s life, although group biographies and innovative ways of treating lives will be considered. 

AWARD: $2,000

SUBMISSION FEE: $50

DEADLINE: December 31, 2016

biographersinternational.org/rowley-prize/

STEINBECK FELLOWS PROGRAM

San Jose State University

INFO: The Steinbeck Fellows Program of San José State University (SJSU), which was endowed through the generosity of Martha Heasley Cox, offers emerging writers of any age and background the opportunity to pursue a significant writing project while in residence at SJSU. The emphasis of the program is on helping writers who have had some success, but not published extensively, and whose promising work would be aided by the financial support and sponsorship of the Center and the University's creative writing program.

Currently, SJSU offers one-year fellowships in Steinbeck scholarship and in creative writing, including fiction, drama, creative nonfiction, and biography. Applications in poetry will not be accepted. In awarding fellowships, the selection committee considers the quality of the candidate's proposal and any factors that would lead to expectations of future publication and other achievement.  Fellows may not be enrolled in a degree program during the fellowship period.

The Steinbeck Fellowship Program is named in honor of author John Steinbeck and is guided by his lifetime of work in literature, the media, and environmental activism. The program offers the opportunity to interact with other writers, faculty and graduate students, and to share their work in progress by giving a public reading once each semester during the fellowship.  

AWARD: The fellowships afford a stipend of $10,000. Residency in the San José area is required during the academic year (approximately 1 September - 20 May).

DEADLINE: January 2, 2017

sjsu.edu/steinbeck/fellows/steinbeckfellows_apply/ 

FICTION / NONFICTION - NOVEMBER 2016

2017 COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE

INFO: The 2017 Commonwealth Short Story Prize is now open for entries. The prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000-5,000 words) in english written by a citizen of a commonwealth country. All stories must be unpublished, but both unpublished and published writers are eligible to apply.

The international judging panel comprises one judge from each of the five regions – Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Please note that while the entries will be judged regionally, all judges will read and deliberate on entries from all regions. 

 Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible

PRIZE:

• Overall winner receives £5,000
• Regional winners receive £2,500

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016

commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/

2017 WRITING CONTEST

San Miguel Writers' Conference

INFO: Submit your poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction, for a chance to attend the 12th annual San Miguel Writers' Conference free of charge.  Three writers will be awarded the entire five day “Full Conference Package” (Feb 15-19th 2017) as well as have their housing provided during the conference, and a chance to pitch to a literary agent.  

The San Miguel Writers’ Conference reserves the right to publish winning entries on their website.  Published entries will remain on the San Miguel Writers’ Conference website for a minimum of one year.   Winners will be expected to forward a short bio and head shot to the San Miguel Writers’ Conference.

AWARD: “Full Conference Package” fee waivers, including housing, and one agent pitch session will be granted to one writer in each of the following genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Transportation to San Miguel de Allende is not provided. The award is valid only for the specific year of the contest and may not be transferred or exchanged.  

ENTRY FEE: $30

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016

sanmiguelwritersconference.submittable.com/submit

INDIAN LANGUAGE LITERATURE FEATURE
Asymptote Journal

INFO: Asymptote is seeking submissions for its first Special Feature on Indian language literature. They seek previously unpublished English translations of Indian language work by contemporary writers who are disenfranchised and underrepresented by the hegemonies within Indian society.

The goal for this Special Feature is to honor the social and political agency of Indian language literature, and create a space for the ideas and literary talent of those writers that have been historically marginalized by India’s patriarchal, caste-based narrative. They are looking for works translated into English from any Indian language, on any topic, by any writer who resists or is excluded from this narrative due to caste, gender, sexuality, religion, or geography.  

They welcome up to 15 pages of single-spaced poetry and double-spaced prose (fiction and nonfiction), and up to 20 pages of drama (one-act or excerpted). Although it is impossible for one special feature to fully represent the astonishing breadth of Indian languages, cultures, politics, and landscapes, they hope in this small way to celebrate the diversity and dissent within Indian writing. 

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016  

asymptotejournal.com/submit/

THE JAMES BALDWIN LITERATURE PRIZE

The New Engagement

INFO: The New Engagement is pleased to announce its first literary contest, The James Baldwin Literature Prize.

They seek original, unpublished short stories or self-contained novel excerpts, not exceeding 5,000 words, OR original, unpublished poems or poetry collections, not exceeding three poems. Though they acknowledge that fiction and poetry are different literary animals, they will be evaluated in the same competition. 

In addition to entry into the contest, ALL submissions will also be considered for general entry into the monthly on-line journal and annual print journal.  

PRIZE: $1,000 

SUBMISSION FEE: $5 

DEADLINE: Extended to November 1, 2016

thenewengagement.com/submit-your-work

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

GRLCVLT Journal

INFO: The opening theme of GrlCvlt journal is ‘Power’. They are looking for an incredible, diverse roster of woman-identifying voices from every background and all experiences. Women of color and queer voices are especially encouraged to submit.

 Have a fun travel guide to your city with not-to-be-missed places that empower your community? Send it our way! Crossword puzzles and playlists are welcomed. Cultural critiques, personal essays are rad too! Q&A your favorite babe that embodies power. Pitch them a reoccurring advice column. Editorial submissions should not exceed 700 words.

DEADLINE: Extended to November 4, 2016

grlcvltjournal.tumblr.com/

NYFA ARTISTS’ FELLOWSHIP

New York Foundation for the Arts 

INFO: NYFA is committed to supporting artists from diverse cultural backgrounds at all stages of their professional careers.

Fellowship Categories:

• Crafts/Sculpture
• Printmaking/Drawing/Book Arts
• Nonfiction Literature
• Poetry
• Digital/Electronic Arts

AWARD: NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellowships, awarded in fifteen different disciplines over a three-year period, are $7,000 cash awards made to individual originating artists living and working in the state of New York for unrestricted use. These fellowships are not project grants but are intended to fund an artist’s vision or voice, regardless of the level of his or her artistic development.

IMPORTANT DATE: Applications open the first week of November

nyfa.org/Content/Show/Artists'%20Fellowships

30 BELOW CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: Narrative invites all writers and poets between eighteen and thirty years old to send their best work. Works of prose and of poetry, including short stories, all poetic forms, novel excerpts, essays, memoirs, and excerpts from book-length nonfiction. Prose submissions must not exceed 15,000 words. Each poetry submission may contain up to five poems. The poems should all be contained in a single file. 

AWARDS:

• First Prize: $21,500
• Second Prize: $750
• Third Prize: $300
• Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each

SUBMISSION FEE: $24 fee for each entry (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage).

DEADLINE: November 9, 2016

narrativemagazine.com/30-below-2016

FALL 2016 STORY CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: The Fall Contest is open to all fiction and nonfiction writers. Narrative is looking for short shorts, short stories, essays, memoirs, photo essays, graphic stories, all forms of literary nonfiction, and excerpts from longer works of both fiction and nonfiction.  

Entries must be previously unpublished, no longer than 15,000 words, and must not have been previously chosen as a winner, finalist, or honorable mention in another contest.

AWARDS:

• First Prize: $2,500
• Second Prize: $1,000
• Third Prize: $500
• Up to ten finalists will receive $100 each

SUBMISSION FEE: $24 fee for each entry (includes three months of complimentary access to Narrative Backstage).

DEADLINE: November 30, 2016

narrativemagazine.com/fall-2016-story-contest

2016-17 FICTION CONTEST

Tennessee Williams / New Orleans Literary Festival

INFO: This contest is open only to writers who have not yet published a book of fiction. Published books include self-published books with ISBN numbers. Those who have published books in other genres besides fiction remain eligible.

AWARD:

• Grand Prize: $1,500; domestic airfare (up to $500) and French Quarter accommodations to attend the Festival in New Orleans; VIP All-Access Festival pass for the next Festival ($500 value); public reading at a literary panel at the next Festival, and publication in Louisiana Literature
• Finalists: The top nine finalists will receive a panel pass ($75 value) to the Festival. Their names will be published on this site.

SUBMISSION FEE: $25

DEADLINE: November 30, 2016

tennesseewilliams.net/2015-16-fiction-contest

2017 SINGAPORE CREATIVE WRITING RESIDENCY

The Art House

INFO: The Singapore Creative Writing Residency is offering two residencies. One residency is for a Singapore writer and one for an international writer. Jointly organized by the National University of Singapore’s University Scholars Program and Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and The Arts House, the Singapore Creative Writing Residency aims to: 

• Provide time, opportunity and environment for the resident to complete a written work in the English language of substantial length and content;
• Provide mentorship for students and potential writers in Singapore, and stimulate new writing from them through public program organized by the resident.  

The program invites applicants of any nationality. Applicants must:

• Be a published writer;
• Not be enrolled as a full time student in an undergraduate or graduate program or fully employed by any organization at the time of appointment of the Residency;
• Be a citizen or Permanent Resident of Singapore to be appointed as a local Resident writer.
• A signed copy of the NUS Personal Data Consent form. 

AWARD:  Both residents will receive a monthly stipend and the international resident will reside at NUS.

IMPORTANT DATE: Application open in November 2016

theartshouse.sg/programmes/singapore-creative-writing-residency/

FICTION / NONFICTION - OCTOBER 2016

BUZZFEED EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

BuzzFeed 

INFO: BuzzFeed’s Emerging Writers Fellowship is designed to give writers of great promise the support, mentorship, and experience necessary to take a transformative step forward in their careers. During the four-month program, the writers in this fellowship will benefit from career mentorship and editorial guidance while also receiving financial support.

The fellows will focus on personal essay writing, cultural reportage, and criticism. During their time in fellowship, writers will be expected to pitch, report, and write with the added benefit of panel discussions with editors and writers from throughout the industry, and assigned readings.

The writers selected for the fellowship will work with BuzzFeed News’ senior editorial staff and be based in either the New York or Los Angeles office. The work produced during the fellowship will be published on BuzzFeed.

STIPEND: $12,000

DEADLINE: October 1, 2016

buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/buzzfeed-emerging-writers-fellowship?utm_term=.cpeV8bn6Z#.br0WmY16M

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: NON-FICTION

Claudius Speaks

INFO: Claudius Speaks, a journal of bold art and writing that celebrates emerging talent, seeks powerful, beautifully written, non-fiction pieces (essay, creative non-fiction, experimental) from new voices. There is no length restriction on content, but they ask that the piece be submitted in its most complete, edited, and proofread form. The theme for issue two is "Song." Feel free to interpret this theme however you see fit.  

COMPENSATION: $30 

DEADLINE: October 1, 2016

claudiusspeaks.submittable.com/submit

 

2017 Emerging Writer Fellowships

A Public Space

INFO: A Public Space is pleased to announce that applications are open for its 2017 Emerging Writer Fellowships. Under this project, three emerging writers will be selected for six-month fellowships, which will include: 

• mentorship from an established author who has previously contributed to A Public Space;
• publication in the magazine; 
• contributor's payment of $1,000; 
• workspace in their Brooklyn offices (optional).
  

Only writers who have not yet published or been contracted to write a book-length work are eligible. There is a preference for writers who have not yet signed with an agent. International applicants are encouraged to apply, but they are only able to consider submissions in English. Only one submission per person is allowed. A Public Space's editors reserve the right to invite submissions.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Submission Period: October 1 – November 1, 2016
• Notification: By February 15, 2017
• Fellowship Period: March 1 – September 1, 2017.

apublicspace.org/blog/detail/the_2017_aps_emerging_writer_fellowships  

MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL PRIZE

INFO: The Man Booker International Prize for fiction translated into English is awarded annually by the Booker Prize Foundation to the author of the best (in the opinion of the judges) eligible novel or collection of short stories. Each year’s panel of 5 judges is chosen with the advice of the Booker Prize Foundation Advisory Committee, and is appointed by the Booker Prize Foundation. The Administrator of the prize is Fiammetta Rocco, Culture Editor of The Economist and 1843.  

For the 2017 prize, titles eligible for submission must be published between 1 May 2016 and 30 April 2017. The judges read the submissions and are responsible for compiling a longlist of 12 or 13 books, and from this a shortlist of six books from which they then choose a winner.

PRIZE:

The winner's prize purse is £50,000 divided equally between the author and the translator.

There will be a prize of £2,000 each of the shortlisted titles divided equally between the author and the translator.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Deadline for entry forms: October 7, 2016
• Deadline for finished novels: November 4, 2016

themanbookerprize.com/submissions

THE JAMES BALDWIN LITERATURE PRIZE

The New Engagement

INFO: The New Engagement is pleased to announce its first literary contest, The James Baldwin Literature Prize.

They seek original, unpublished short stories or self-contained novel excerpts, not exceeding 5,000 words, OR original, unpublished poems or poetry collections, not exceeding three poems. Though they acknowledge that fiction and poetry are different literary animals, they will be evaluated in the same competition. 

In addition to entry into the contest, ALL submissions will also be considered for general entry into the monthly on-line journal and annual print journal.  

PRIZE: $1,000 

SUBMISSION FEE: $5 

DEADLINE: October 15, 2016

thenewengagement.com/submit-your-work

WRITERS OMI AT LEDIG HOUSE

INFO: Since its founding in 1992, Writers Omi at Ledig House has hosted hundreds of authors and translators, representing more than fifty countries. We welcome published writers and translators of every type of literature. International, cultural and creative exchange is a foundation of our mission, and a wide distribution of national background is an important part of our selection process. 

Guests may select a residency of one week to two months; about ten at a time gather to live and work in a rural setting overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Ledig House provides all meals, and each night a local chef prepares dinner. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal. A program of weekly visits bring guests from the New York publishing community. Noted editors, agents and book scouts are invited to share dinner and conversation on both creative and practical subjects, offering insight into the workings of the publishing industry, and introductions to some of its key professionals.

German publisher, Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt, for whom the program is named, was noted for his passionate commitment to quality in literature. Writers Omi has hosted hundreds of writers and translators from roughly 50 countries around the world. The colony's strong international emphasis reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is part of Ledig's enduring legacy. 

DEADLINE: October 20, 2016 

artomi.org/program.php?Writers-Omi-4

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Puerto Del Sol 

INFO: Puerto Del Sol is seeking your stories, poems, essays, and everything in between. They want words that interrupt / intersect / interrogate, words that self-reflect and re-direct, words to curate, to cultivate, into this, their 2016 print issue: a messy symphony of the literary.

They’re looking for innovative pieces that enter into, interpret, and are by no means limited by this proposed conversation: What is worth publishing? What does it mean to publish, to be published, to write to a world or read in a world where publishing happens as it happens now?

They accept poetry, fiction, nonfiction, translations, reviews, artwork, criticism, and whatever else you can dream up.

APPLICATION FEE: $0

DEADLINE: October 31, 2016

puertodelsol.org/submit/  

MORELAND SCHOLARSHIP FOR AFRICAN WRITERS

Miles Moreland Foundation 

INFO: Applications are now open the Morland Writing Scholarship for 2017. The scholarship is open to writers who were born in Africa or whose parents were born in Africa.

The scholarship is intended for writers who want to write a full-length book of 80,000 words or more. To this end, the writers will be asked to submit via email 10,000 new words every month until they have finished their book. The scholarship will terminate if a writer fails to submit the required work on time without prior authorization. 

Another, somewhat unusual, scholarship guideline is that the three writers are expected to donate back to the Miles Morland Foundation 20 percent of the subsequent earnings from what they write during their scholarship year. This is not a legally binding condition, but instead viewed as a ‘debt of honour’.

 Applications are judged on literary merit. Proposed books can be on any subject though the judges may show preference to works which relate to Africa.  

PRIZE: Scholarships of $24,000 for fiction writers or up to $36,000 for non-fiction writers will be awarded.

aerogrammestudio.com/2016/09/08/the-morland-scholarship-for-african-writers-2017/

THE BURT AWARD FOR CARIBBEAN LITERATURE

CODE

INFO: The Burt Award for Caribbean Literature is an annual Award that will be given to three English-language literary works for young adults (aged 12 through 18) written by Caribbean authors.

Established by CODE – a Canadian charitable organization that has been supporting literacy and learning for over 50 years – with the generous support of the Literary Prizes Foundation and in partnership with the Bocas Lit Fest, the Award aims to provide engaging and culturally-relevant books for young people across the Caribbean.

The intent of the prize is to champion literacy, build language skills and foster the love and habit of reading amongst youth and young adults. 

PRIZES:

• First Prize: $10,000 CAD
• Second Prize: $7,000 CAD
• Third Prize: $5,000 CAD

DEADLINE: October 31, 2016

bocaslitfest.com/awards/burt-award-for-caribbean-literature/

2017 COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE

INFO: The 2017 Commonwealth Short Story Prize is now open for entries. The prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000-5,000 words) in english written by a citizen of a commonwealth country. All stories must be unpublished, but both unpublished and published writers are eligible to apply.

The international judging panel comprises one judge from each of the five regions – Africa, Asia, Canada and Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Please note that while the entries will be judged regionally, all judges will read and deliberate on entries from all regions. 

 Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible

PRIZE:

• Overall winner receives £5,000
• Regional winners receive £2,500

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016

commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/

2017 WRITING CONTEST

San Miguel Writers' Conference

INFO: Submit your poetry, creative nonfiction, and fiction, for a chance to attend the 12th annual San Miguel Writers' Conference free of charge.  Three writers will be awarded the entire five day “Full Conference Package” (Feb 15-19th 2017) as well as have their housing provided during the conference, and a chance to pitch to a literary agent.  

The San Miguel Writers’ Conference reserves the right to publish winning entries on their website.  Published entries will remain on the San Miguel Writers’ Conference website for a minimum of one year.   Winners will be expected to forward a short bio and head shot to the San Miguel Writers’ Conference.

AWARD: “Full Conference Package” fee waivers, including housing, and one agent pitch session will be granted to one writer in each of the following genres: poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Transportation to San Miguel de Allende is not provided. The award is valid only for the specific year of the contest and may not be transferred or exchanged.  

ENTRY FEE: $30

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016

sanmiguelwritersconference.submittable.com/submit

INDIAN LANGUAGE LITERATURE FEATURE
Asymptote Journal

INFO: Asymptote is seeking submissions for its first Special Feature on Indian language literature. They seek previously unpublished English translations of Indian language work by contemporary writers who are disenfranchised and underrepresented by the hegemonies within Indian society.

The goal for this Special Feature is to honor the social and political agency of Indian language literature, and create a space for the ideas and literary talent of those writers that have been historically marginalized by India’s patriarchal, caste-based narrative. They are looking for works translated into English from any Indian language, on any topic, by any writer who resists or is excluded from this narrative due to caste, gender, sexuality, religion, or geography.  

They welcome up to 15 pages of single-spaced poetry and double-spaced prose (fiction and nonfiction), and up to 20 pages of drama (one-act or excerpted). Although it is impossible for one special feature to fully represent the astonishing breadth of Indian languages, cultures, politics, and landscapes, they hope in this small way to celebrate the diversity and dissent within Indian writing. 

DEADLINE: November 1, 2016  

asymptotejournal.com/submit/

FICTION / NONFICTION - SEPTEMBER 2016

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Shade Mountain Press

INFO: Shade Mountain Press is seeking novel manuscripts (70,000 words or more) by African American women writers. Submissions can be any topic and style (preferably literary rather than genre).

They do not publish children’s or young adult literature.

DEADLINE: September 1, 2016

shademountainpress.com/contact.php

ANISFIELD-WOLF BOOK AWARDS

INFO: The Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards recognizes outstanding works that contribute to the understanding of racism and the appreciation of cultural diversity. Awards are given for fiction, poetry and nonfiction. 

To submit a book for consideration, send five copies with a completed copy of the Entry Form to:

Karen R. Long
c/o Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards
The Cleveland Foundation
1422 Euclid Avenue, Suite 1300
Cleveland, OH 44115

Phone: 216.685.2018
Email: Submit@Anisfield-Wolf.org

Upon receipt, the books will be forwarded to the jury. All submitted materials become the property of the Anisfield-Wolf Book Awards and will not be returned. The winners will be announced in the spring.  

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 1 – December 31, 2016 

anisfield-wolf.org/submissions/submission-guidelines/

THE COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY PRIZE

Commonwealth Writers 

INFO: The Prize is awarded for the best piece of unpublished short fiction (2,000–5,000 words) in English written by a citizen of a Commonwealth country.

Short stories translated into English from other languages are also eligible, and they invite writers from Mozambique who write in Portuguese, and writers who write in Swahili and Bengali, and who do not have an English translation of their story, to submit their stories in the original language.

PRIZE: Regional winners receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives £5,000.

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 1 – November 1, 2016

commonwealthwriters.org/our-projects/the-short-story/

FALL 2016 AWARDS

Sustainable Arts Foundation

INFO: Starting with their Fall 2016 Awards, Sustainable Arts Foundation – a non-profit foundation supporting artists and writers with families – is committed to offering half of its awards to applicants of color.

Writers may apply in one of the following categories:

• Fiction
• Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Long Form Journalism
• Playwriting
• Picture Books
• Early and Middle Grade Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Graphic Novel

AWARDS:

• Sustainable Arts Foundation Award: $6,000
• Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Award: $2,000

DEADLINE: September 2, 2016, 8pm EST

apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org/

30 BELOW CONTEST

Narrative Magazine

INFO: Narrative invites all writers, poets, visual artists, photographers, performers, and filmmakers between eighteen and thirty years old to send their best work. They’re looking for the traditional and the innovative, the true and the imaginary. They’re looking to encourage and promote the best young authors and artists working today.

AWARDS:

• First Prize is $1,500
• Second Prize is $750
• Third Prize is $300
• Ten finalists will receive $100 each

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 9 – November 9, 2016 

narrativemagazine.com/node/345528

SACATAR FELLOWSHIP

Sacatar / Fundação Cultural do Estado da Bahia

 INFO: For the third consecutive year, in partnership with the Fundação Cultural do Estado da Bahia, Sacatar will award a Fellowship to a writer living in Bahia.  

The eight-week residency will take place from October 17 through December 12, 2016. 

APPLICATION FEE $0

DEADLINE: September 9, 2016

fundacaocultural.ba.gov.br

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: BLACK LIVES MATTER SPECIAL ISSUE

Wild Age Press 

INFO: Wild Age Press seeks fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry written by African American and Black authors for a special Black Lives Matter issue. This issue will be guest edited by Katrina Otuonye and will run this winter. 

The theme can be interpreted broadly, but we are specifically looking to publish work by African American and Black authors. Send up to 3,000 words or up to three flash pieces totaling no more than 3,000 words. Please double-space your documents. If sending multiple pieces, please include them all in one document. 

DEADLINE: September 15, 2016

wildagepress.submittable.com/submit  

FEMINIST WRITING FELLOWSHIP

Bitch Media

INFO: Bitch Media is currently accepting applications for their 2017 writing fellowships. Selected writing fellows will spend 3 months working with Bitch Media to produce articles in one of four subject areas:

• Reproductive rights & justice
• Pop-culture criticism
• Technology
• Global feminism 

Fellows will write at least 6 articles, one long-form article, and participate in biweekly discussions with the staff of Bitch Media. They will also get mentorship and support in creating their articles. They accept applications from writers around the world.

STIPEND: $2,000

DEADLINE: September 15th, 2016 

freedomwithwriting.com/freedom/uncategorized/2000-feminist-writing-fellowships-from-bitch-media/

MACDOWELL COLONY RESIDENCY

INFO: The MacDowell Colony provides time, space, and an inspiring environment to artists of exceptional talent. A MacDowell Fellowship, or residency, consists of exclusive use of a studio, accommodations, and three prepared meals a day for up to eight weeks. There are no residency fees.
The Colony accepts applications from artists working in the following disciplines: architecture, film/video arts, interdisciplinary arts, literature, music composition, theatre, and visual arts. The sole criterion for acceptance is artistic excellence, which the Colony defines in a pluralistic and inclusive way. MacDowell encourages applications from artists representing the widest possible range of perspectives and demographics, and welcomes artists engaging in the broadest spectrum of artistic practice and investigating an unlimited array of inquiries and concerns. To that end, emerging as well as established artists are invited to apply.  

DEADLINE: September 15, 2016 

macdowellcolony.org/apply-appguidelines.html

RADCLIFFE INSTITUTE FELLOWSHIPS

Harvard University

 INFO: The Radcliffe Institute Fellowship Program is a scholarly community where individuals pursue advanced work across a wide range of academic disciplines, professions, and creative arts (including Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction/Biography/ Autobiography/Memoir, and Nonfiction/Current Issues and other topics).

To be considered for a fellowship in fiction or nonfiction, applicants must have any of the following: one or more published books, contract for the publication of a book-length manuscript, or at least three shorter works (longer than newspaper articles) published. Evidence of publication in print format within the last five years is highly desirable; Web site publications are not acceptable as the only form of previously published work. Applicants should note that reviewers take into account evidence of a distinctive, original voice, richness or dimensionality of text, and coherence in the project plan. Professionals interested in writing about their work experiences should apply in the category of nonfiction. Recommendations from editors and/or agents are not acceptable.

STIPEND: Up to $75,000 for one year with additional funds for project expenses. Some support for relocation expenses is provided where relevant. They work with fellows with families who have particular issues connected to relocating to smooth the transition. If so directed, Radcliffe will pay the stipend to the fellow’s home institution. Please note that they can only pay stipends to home institutions if they are US based. Fellows receive office or studio space and access to libraries and other resources of Harvard University during the fellowship year, which extends from early September 2017 through May 31, 2018.

Fellows are expected to be free of their regular commitments so they may devote themselves full time to the work outlined in their proposal. Since this is a residential fellowship, they expect fellows to reside in the Boston area during that period and to have their primary office at the Institute so that they can participate fully in the life of the community.

Applicants will be notified by e-mail in March of the results.

DEADLINE: September 15, 2016

radcliffe.harvard.edu/fellowship-program/how-apply

VELA’S SECOND NONFICTION CONTEST

INFO: For its Second Nonfiction Contest, Vela is looking for creative nonfiction, written by women, with a strong voice, a compelling narrative, and/or a powerful driving question. They’re interested in a wide range of essays, including literary journalism, personal essays, memoir, and experimental essays. They are not a “women’s magazine,” and are not looking for work that is written solely for a female audience.

The contest will be judged by Claire Vaye Watkins.  

ENTRY FEE: $20 per submission

AWARD: $1,000 and publication

SUBMISSION PERIOD: September 15 – November 1, 2016

velamag.com/second-nonfiction-contest/

THE HODDER FELLOWSHIP

Princeton University

INFO: The Hodder Fellowship will be given to artists and writers of exceptional promise to pursue independent projects at Princeton University during the academic year. Potential Hodder Fellows are writers, composers, choreographers, visual artists, performance artists, or other kinds of artists or humanists who have “much more than ordinary intellectual and literary gifts”; they are selected more “for promise than for performance.” Given the strength of the applicant pool, most successful Fellows have published a first book or have similar achievements in their own fields; the Hodder is designed to provide Fellows with the “studious leisure” to undertake significant new work. 

DEADLINE: September 19, 2016

arts.princeton.edu/fellowships/hodder-fellowship/

OPEN SUBMISSION CONTEST

Timeless, Infinite Light

 INFO: Timeless, Infinite Light, an Oakland-based small press that publishes contemporary writing, is looking for poetry, essays, poetic-essays, or multi-tiered works. Their vision for the contest is to create a home for hybrid and cross-genre work that is embodied or deeply experimental in form, as well as site-specific or urgent critical writing.

 For this contest, they are accepting new, completed full-length manuscripts (70-120 pages in book form). They are unable to consider previously published work.

The submissions will be read by our three celebrity guest judges, Melissa Buzzeo, Mg Roberts, and Divya Victor. The three judges will read, collaborate, and select one manuscript as the official contest winner.

 The winning author will have their manuscript designed and published by Timeless, Infinite Light, and will receive royalties and 10 free copies of their book.

They are looking for new works by both emerging and established writers, and encourage people of color, immigrants, queer, trans, disabled, and undocumented people, and other people whose identities are underrepresented in the literary mainstream to apply.

DEADLINE: September 22, 2016

timelessinfinitelight.com/pages/open-submission-contest-2016

CULLMAN CENTER FELLOWSHIP

New York Public Library 

INFO: The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers offers fellowships to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the research collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street (formerly the Humanities and Social Sciences Library).

The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards up to 15 fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers – academics, independent scholars, journalists, and creative writers. Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply.

The Cullman Center looks for top-quality writing from academics as well as from creative writers and independent scholars. It aims to promote dynamic communication about literature and scholarship at the very highest level – within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows’ published work. 

PRIZE: A stipend of up to $70,000, an office, a computer, and full access to the Library's physical and electronic resources.

Fellows work at the Center for the duration of the fellowship term, which runs from September through May. Each Fellow gives a talk over lunch on current work-in-progress to the other Fellows and to a wide range of invited guests, and may be asked to take part in other programs at The New York Public Library.

DEADLINE: September 30, 2016

nypl.org/help/about-nypl/fellowships-institutes/center-for-scholars-and-writers/fellowships-at-the-cullman-center

 SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL NEW VOICES AWARD 

Lee & Low Books

INFO: Lee & Low Books, award-winning publisher of children’s books, announces the seventeenth annual New Voices Award, which will be given for a children’s picture book manuscript by a writer of color.

Established in 2000, the New Voices Award encourages writers of color to submit their work to a publisher that takes pride in nurturing new talent. The contest is open to writers of color who are residents of the United States, 18 years or older at the time of entry, and who have not previously had a children’s picture book published.   

Submissions may be fiction, nonfiction, or poetry for children ages 5 to 12.

PRIZE: The Award winner receives a cash prize of $1000 and our standard publication contract, including L&L’s basic advance and royalties for a first time author. An Honor Award winner will receive a cash prize of $500. 

DEADLINE: September 30, 2016

leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award

BUZZFEED EMERGING WRITERS FELLOWSHIP

BuzzFeed 

INFO: BuzzFeed’s Emerging Writers Fellowship is designed to give writers of great promise the support, mentorship, and experience necessary to take a transformative step forward in their careers. During the four-month program, the writers in this fellowship will benefit from career mentorship and editorial guidance while also receiving financial support.

The fellows will focus on personal essay writing, cultural reportage, and criticism. During their time in fellowship, writers will be expected to pitch, report, and write with the added benefit of panel discussions with editors and writers from throughout the industry, and assigned readings.

The writers selected for the fellowship will work with BuzzFeed News’ senior editorial staff and be based in either the New York or Los Angeles office. The work produced during the fellowship will be published on BuzzFeed.

STIPEND: $12,000

DEADLINE: October 1, 2016

buzzfeed.com/saeedjones/buzzfeed-emerging-writers-fellowship?utm_term=.cpeV8bn6Z#.br0WmY16M

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: NON-FICTION

Claudius Speaks

INFO: Claudius Speaks, a journal of bold art and writing that celebrates emerging talent, seeks powerful, beautifully written, non-fiction pieces (essay, creative non-fiction, experimental) from new voices. There is no length restriction on content, but they ask that the piece be submitted in its most complete, edited, and proofread form. The theme for issue two is "Song." Feel free to interpret this theme however you see fit.  

COMPENSATION: $30 

DEADLINE: October 1, 2016

claudiusspeaks.submittable.com/submit

FICTION / NONFICTION - AUGUST 2016

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: ASIAN AMERICAN LITERARY AWARDS

Asian American Writers’ Workshop

 INFO: The Asian American Literary Awards is presented by the Asian American Writers' Workshop and honors works by Asian American writers for excellence in three categories: (1) fiction, (2) poetry, and (3) nonfiction. Past winners of the award include Jhumpa Lahiri, Ha Jin, Susan Choi, Amitav Ghosh, Mei-Mei Berssenbrugge, and Arthur Sze, among many others.

To enter a fiction, nonfiction, or poetry book that was published in the year 2015, please click on the link below.

DEADLINE:  August 1, 2016, 11:59PM

aaww.org/aala/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: PROSE

Elastic Magazine

INFO: Elastic Magazine is accepting submissions for prose (fiction/non-fiction). The theme of the issue is doubles. From doppelgängers to couplets to double-vision, interpret/unravel/resist this theme however you please. All submissions must relate to the theme in some identifiable way. Prose must be no more than 1,000 words.

DEADLINE: August 7, 2016, at 11:59pm EST

elastic-mag.com/

LOVE LETTERS TO SPOOKS

Winter Tangerine Review

INFO: Love Letters to Spooks, a WT Flash Spotlight feature, seeks to trouble and interrogate the mortal liminality that Black people in the United States experience. They seek poetry and micro essay submissions that grapple with the absurdity of existence in a body not deemed worthy of life; submissions that interrogate death involving social demise: slander for people such as Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, and erasure for people like Goddess Diamond and Mercedes Successful.

This is a literary space for Black people, curated by Black people. If you are a Black writer, please feel free to send us your work. Please submit up to five poems, and up to 2 pieces of prose in one file.  

DEADLINE: August 14, 2016

wintertangerine.submittable.com/submit/62432

2016 WEEKEND RESIDENCY APPLICATION

Sula’s Room

INFO: Sula’s Room weekend residencies are open to New York based women writers of color. Their mission is to nurture emerging and established women writers working in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction with quiet space and community. 

SUBMISSION FEE: $15

DEADLINE: August 15, 2016

sulasroom.org/

CALL FOR SUBMISSION: FICTION / NONFICTION

Apogee Journal

INFO: Apogee Journal’s reading period is now open! They are seeking fiction and nonfiction for Issue 08, to be published in Fall/Winter 2016.

Apogee is a journal of literature and art that engages with identity politics, including but not limited to: race, gender, sexuality, class, ability, and intersectional identities. They are a biannual print publication featuring fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and visual art. Their goals are twofold: to publish fresh work that interrogates the status quo, and to provide a platform for underrepresented voices, prioritizing artists and writers of color.

DEADLINE: August 15, 2016

apogeejournal.submittable.com/submit

CULTURESTRIKE CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE LITERARY FELLOWSHIP

CultureStrike Magazine

INFO: CultureStrike, a migrant-led organization that works with a national network of artists to change public sentiment around migration including climate change and forced displacement, announces its first Climate Justice Literary Fellowship in the Summer/Fall of 2016 for creative literary works based on the theme of climate change and migration.  

They are seeking journalists, nonfiction writers, and poets to develop stories and reporting projects related to climate change, environmental justice, and the social and cultural questions surrounding migration and human movement. They seek writers from across the country, in every region, representing diverse communities, with an eye toward exploring regional and local experiences of global warming - including its root causes, environmental consequences on the social and cultural landscape, resilience of indigenous communities and communities of color and potential solutions.

They are offering fellowships to two individuals in either of these two genres: 

• Creative fiction or poetry: to produce works of fiction and poetry, or creative works in related genres, that deal with timely migration and environment-related topics in a creative way.
• Journalism or narrative nonfiction: to produce longform narrative journalism in the form of a series of investigative articles, a long investigative narrative, or a related form of storytelling. Priority given to stories with a compelling narrative and news value, as well as stories that make creative use of multimedia or technology components.

AWARDS: Two fellowships of $1000 - $2000 each for a literary project. Additionally, each fellow will receive up to $1500 towards related project expenses, including domestic travel. 

They will also provide editorial support and publish both on CultureStrike’s Online Magazine and whenever possible, help place the story in other publications.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Deadline – August 15, 2016
• Awards Announced – October 1, 2016
• Project Deadline– December 28, 2016

culturestrike.org/release/request-applications-culturestrike-climate-and-environmental-justice-literary-fellowship

ERNEST J. GAINES AWARD FOR LITERARY EXCELLENCE

Baton Rouge Area Foundation

INFO: The Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence honors Louisiana’s revered storyteller, Ernest J. Gaines, and serves to inspire and recognize rising African-American fiction writers of excellence at a national level. The book award, initiated by donors of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, is now in its ninth year and has become nationally recognized in its role of enhancing visibility of emerging black fiction writers while also expanding the audience for this literature.  

The 2016 panel of judges are themselves renowned contributors to the literary world. They are Anthony Grooms, Edward P. Jones, Elizabeth Nunez, Francine Prose and Patricia Towers.

The Baton Rouge Area Foundation sponsors the winner’s travel to Baton Rouge, Louisiana to receive the prize at a ceremony attended by Ernest Gaines where the author reads an excerpt from the selected work of fiction.

The literary award winner also participates in educational activities at selected area schools and after-school programs in keeping with the Gaines Award's interest in emphasizing the role of literature and arts in education. Through small creative writing workshops with the winning author, students are encouraged to pursue reading, delve into their own creativity, and to consider becoming an author. 

AWARD: $10,000 cash to support the writer and help enable her/him to focus on her/his art of writing. 

DEADLINE: August 15, 2016

ernestjgainesaward.org/literary-award-criteria-registration/

PEN/ PHYLLIS NAYLOR WORKING WRITER FELLOWSHIP

INFO: The PEN/Phyllis Naylor Working Writer Fellowship is offered annually to an author of children's or young-adult fiction. It has been developed to help writers whose work is of high literary caliber and is designed to assist a writer at a crucial moment in his or her career to complete a book-length work-in-progress.

The Fellowship is made possible by a substantial contribution from PEN Member Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, the prolific author of more than 140 books, including Now I'll Tell You Everything, the 28th and final book in the acclaimed "Alice" series, as well as Faith, Hope, and Ivy June and Shiloh, the first novel in a trilogy, which won the 1992 Newbery Medal.

PRIZE: $5,000 

DEADLINE: August 15, 2016

pen.org/content/penphyllis-naylor-working-writer-fellowship-5000

SPECIAL CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Kweli Journal

INFO: Kweli Journal was selected by PEN America, along with other notable literary journals such as Tin House, The New Yorker and The Paris Review, to serve as a contributing publisher for the inaugural PEN/Robert J. Dau Short Story Prize for Emerging Writers.  

Offered for the first time during PEN's 2017 Awards cycle, this award will recognize twelve emerging fiction writers for their debut short story published in a literary magazine or cultural website in 2016.

In a further effort to launch the winner's careers as fiction writers, the independent book publisher Catapult will also publish the twelve winning stories in an annual anthology entitled “The PEN America Best Debut Short Stories,” the first publication of which will be forthcoming in spring 2017.

Emerging writers of color who have yet to publish a short story are encouraged to submit one short story no more than 7,000 words.

PRIZE: $2,000 cash prize to 12 writers, who will be honored at the annual PEN Literary Awards Ceremony in New York City.

DEADLINE: August 15, 2016

kwelijournal.org/penrobert-j-dau-short-story-prize-1/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: WOMEN, GENDER, AND PAN-AFRICANISM

African American Intellectual History Society 

INFO: AAIHS issues this call for a new blog series on women, gender, and Pan-Africanism. They invite new and experienced writers–including undergraduate students, graduate students, faculty, and independent scholars–to submit guest blog posts for this special series. Broadly speaking, blog posts in this series will examine how women and gender have shaped Pan-Africanist movements and discourses of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries in the United States, Europe, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

They encourage potential contributors to submit guest blog posts that explore topics that include but are not limited to the following:

• Pan-Africanism among African women activists
• Afro-Latinas’ engagement in Pan-African movements
• Caribbean women and Pan-Africanism
• Gender and Garveyism

Blog posts should not exceed 1,500 words (not including footnotes) and should be written for a general audience.

DEADLINE: August 30, 2016

aaihs.org/call-for-submissions-women-gender-and-pan-africanism/

 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: PROSE / SHORT STORIES

Torch Journal 

INFO: TORCH, a biannual online journal published by Torch Literary Arts, is seeking submissions of original unpublished prose and short stories by black women writers.

Prose: Submit no more than two prose pieces, double spaced, max 500 words each.

Short Stories: Submit one short story (or excerpt), double spaced, max 2,000 words.

DEADLINE: August 31, 2016

torchliteraryarts.org/#!submit/c1k7l

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Shade Mountain Press

INFO: Shade Mountain Press is seeking novel manuscripts (70,000 words or more) by African American women writers. Submissions can be any topic and style (preferably literary rather than genre).

They do not publish children’s or young adult literature.

DEADLINE: September 1, 2016

shademountainpress.com/contact.php

FALL 2016 AWARDS

Sustainable Arts Foundation

INFO: Starting with their Fall 2016 Awards, Sustainable Arts Foundation – a non-profit foundation supporting artists and writers with families – is committed to offering half of its awards to applicants of color.

Writers may apply in one of the following categories:

• Fiction
• Creative Nonfiction
• Poetry
• Long Form Journalism
• Playwriting
• Picture Books
• Early and Middle Grade Fiction
• Young Adult Fiction
• Graphic Novel

AWARDS:

• Sustainable Arts Foundation Award: $6,000
• Sustainable Arts Foundation Promise Award: $2,000

DEADLINE: September 2, 2016, 8pm EST

apply.sustainableartsfoundation.org/