call for Script Submissions
SheNYC Arts
DEADLINE: November 11, 2024
INFO: We accept full-length plays and musicals during our open submissions period for our Summer Theater Festivals. In order to apply, you must be a playwright or composer of a gender marginalized group (including cis women, trans people, and non-binary people), or a writing team that is made up of at least 50% people from a gender-marginalized group.
Script Submissions are now OPEN for our 2025 SheNYC, SheATL, SheLA, and SheDFW Festivals.
Note that we only accept script submissions during our submission window. If you would like to be considered for our summer festivals, you must submit your work during that time period. Read on below for more details on what you’ll need to submit and for the application link.
Looking for CreateHER Applications for high school students? Click here!
READING/PERFORMANCE INVITATIONS
Unfortunately, we do not have the staff capacity to see readings or performances, so do not accept invitations. However, the only way we would choose to produce your show is through the open submissions process listed above – so, send us your materials that way if you’d like to be considered for a production!
WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUBMIT:
1. The full script to your show, in PDF form. It must be at least 75% finished. If the rest is not finished, you need to provide a “treatment” (a detailed outline of the scenes that remain to be written, in order) along with the script. Bear in mind that you will have to send us completed script if you’re selected as a finalist.
2. A completed application form with some basic information (see below for FAQs).
3. If your show is a musical, recordings of at least 3 full songs from the show, in mp3 or m4a form. The more you have, the better! A simple recording with just you and your piano is fine, though obviously you want to make your music sound the best it can. Please do not submit Finale or Sibelius files (or any other automated vocals).
4. If your show is a solo show, a video of at least 5 minutes of your solo performer performing a cut from the show. This can be a video from a prior production or staged reading, or it can be a self-tape of your actor recording themselves at home.
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT:
It’s important to make sure your show is ready for a festival production. Our Festivals differ from city to city, so please read the pages for whichever Festival you plan to apply to — this page outlines exactly what it means to be a part of the Festival!
2025 TIMELINE SUBMISSIONS:
September 2024: Submissions open for NYC, ATL, and LA Festivals.
November 11th: Deadline for all submissions. Submit your show before 11/11 at 11:59pm EST!
February 2024: If you’re a semi-finalist, we’ll notify you in February.
March 2024: Finalists for NYC & LA are chosen. DFW & ATL finalist notifications may come a bit later.
April: Our festival participants are notified, and you’ll be given a deadline to accept your slot in the festival! We will also notify you if you are not selected. *This is SUBJECT TO CHANGE based on the Festival dates given to us by our venues.*
May: All the fun stuff starts! We’ll have a meet and greet and info sessions to make sure you feel 100% ready to produce your show in the Festival.
June/July: Start rehearsals for your show!
July/August/September: The Festivals run! Each show will get two set performances during these two weeks, as well as a tech and dress rehearsal slot. We will also leave a few empty performance slots in the schedule so that any show that sells out its first two performances can add extra performances.
Tentative dates for the festivals are:
SheLA: Mid-July
SheNYC: End of July/Beginning of August
SheATL: Mid-August
SheDFW: September
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Holiday Playwright Contest
Kinsman Quarterly
DEADLINE: November 15, 2024 at 11:59pm EST.
FEE: $0
INFO: We are looking for holiday scripts for our upcoming collection Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide. Submissions should include one-act shorts with themes of holidays, especially from BIPOC and underrepresented cultures. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Day, Chinese New Year, and Easter. Scripts must be original, unpublished works in English, ideal for families and low-budget organizations. Shorts should be between 10 and 20 pages with less than 6 main characters.
PRIZE: Winning scripts receive up to $500 USD and publication.
Selected submissions will be published on the Kinsman Quarterly website and promoted on its social media sites and printed advertisements. Copyrights of the individual submissions remain with the authors. Kinsman Avenue Publishing, Inc owns the copyrights to the collection as a unit.
Simultaneous submissions are accepted, however submissions should be withdrawn if accepted elsewhere. To ensure that we are able to publish the unpublished work, winning contestants and finalists are asked to wait a full year after publication before they republish the work themselves or with another organization.
ELIGIBILITY:
individuals 18 years or older
authors of BIPOC and underrepresented communities preferred, but not restrictive
must be able to receive award payment through Paypal
CONTEST GUIDELINES:
Each entry should be an original, unpublished work by the submitting author, which does not infringe upon the copyrights of another individual or entity.
Scripts should be between 10 and 20 pages with less than 6 main characters.
Submissions should feature holiday themes with rich cultural content
Participants may enter more than one submission.
Changes to the competition entry cannot be made once a work is submitted. However, a revised version may be resubmitted. In such cases, include the word "revision" in the file name.
FORMATTING GUIDELINES (MUST READ):
Submission files must be named by Title_AuthorName. Example: "Missing Diamonds_DoeJohn".
All entries must be submitted as an MS Word doc/docx or .pdf file.
All entries must be in 12-point courier font for in a standard play format.
Be sure to remove all track changes from edited text.
Entries that do not adhere to guidelines will not be considered.
PRIZES:
Grand Prize = $500 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website.
1st Runner Up = $250 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website.
2nd Runner Up = $150 cash prize and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website.
Top 6 Finalists receive a $50 Amazon gift card and publication in the collection "Holiday Plays for Cultures Worldwide" and as individual scripts on the Kinsman Quarterly website.
kinsmanquarterly.org/holiday-playwright
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PAY YOUR PEOPLE GRANTS
IndieSpace
DEADLINE: November 20, 2024 at 11:59pm ET
INFO: The Pay Your People Grants are $1,000 for NYC-based indie theater companies/collectives and venues to pay historically excluded artists or leadership to work in, administrate, or perform in their spaces and/or productions. For venues, you can use these funds to subsidize a rental from an artist in your venue or to pay performers or administration directly.
Please note that while all of these grants are being called “Pay Your People” grants, we will still maintain separate drawing pools for venues and companies/collectives.
YOU ARE ELIGIBLE IF:
You ARE a NYC-based indie theater company, fiscally sponsored collective/production, OR indie theater venue (venues with 99 seats or less).
You CAN COMMIT to using the grant to pay artists or leaders of color and/or artists or leaders who have been historically and currently excluded from funding based on gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, disability, economic disadvantage, refugee/immigration status or for other reasons you define.
You ARE planning to produce at least one show, reading, or workshop in the 12 months following The Big Give (December 2024 to December 2025).
You HAVE a bank account in your organization's name or have a fiscal sponsor to receive funds. Checks will NOT be written to individuals.
YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE IF:
**If you are a venue that RECEIVED the Little Venue that Could grant, you ARE NOT eligible to apply for a Pay Your People Grant this year.
**If you received a Pay Your People Grant in 2023, you ARE NOT eligible to apply for the Pay Your People Grant this year. Organizations can not receive this grant two years in a row. If you received a grant in 2023, you are eligible to apply again for Pay Your People in 2025
APPLICATION PROCESS:
To apply for funds, please complete the application below AND RSVP for The Big Give.
Before submitting your application, please note:
Only one application for the Pay Your People Grant should be filled out per venue/company/collective.
This application will ask you to upload a performance/rehearsal or venue photo to be used in a slideshow at The Big Give event or in marketing materials. By uploading this photo, you give IndieSpace permission to use it in the slideshow at The Big Give, where it may also be captured in the background of photos or video taken that evening to be used in future marketing.
THIS PROCESS HAS THREE STEPS:
READ ALL OF THIS INFO - You are already doing this one! Be sure to consider everything in these guidelines before applying and ask questions if you have them! We are happy to answer them.
FILL OUT THE APPLICATION: To be considered for the Pay Your People Grant and entered into the lottery, you must complete the application through Submittable. And you or someone from your org/collective must be present (in person or on Zoom) at The Big Give to receive a grant if you are pulled in the lottery. The Big Give will be on December 2 at 7pm.
RSVP TO THE BIG GIVE - You must RSVP for The Big Give on EventBrite PRIOR to submitting the application. Register HERE. While only one grant application must be filled out per venue/company/collective, we ask that each person who will be attending The Big Give party RSVPs individually - share the RSVP link with others. You are welcome and encouraged to attend The Big Give party even if you are not applying for a grant. The more the merrier!
If you have any questions about the application or need assistance completing the application via phone, please reach out to our staff by emailing hello@indiespace.org.
APPLICATION CYCLE:
November 20 – Application Closes at 11:59pm
November 21 - November 25 – Applications are reviewed by the IndieSpace staff and Board for eligibility only
November 25 – Applicants are notified of their application status and eligibility. If you do not receive an email regarding your eligibility by November 25, please contact us at hello@indiespace.org.
December 2 – THE BIG GIVE event at the Chelsea Factory and on Zoom!
PAYMENT PROCESS:
Eligible applicants will be entered into the live grant drawing that will occur at our hybrid The Big Give event on December 2. Checks will be written and given out at the event that evening; PayPal is also possible, if preferred. For those who attend the event virtually, IndieSpace staff will reach out to you and arrange payment either via PayPal, ACH, Zelle, or check.
Checks will be cut to companies, venues, or fiscal sponsors, not directly to individuals.
You must have a bank account set up in the name of the company or venue that is accepting the grant check or be working with a fiscal sponsor that can receive the funds.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT you or a colleague representing your company or venue is present, either in-person or virtually, when the names are pulled to claim and receive one of the $1,000 grants. You may only represent ONE company at the event. Names will be called three times. If someone is not present to respond, we will pull another organization’s name for that grant. Checks will be cut that night, and you’ll be on your way to paying artists and leaders!
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Do not feel obligated to spend a tremendous amount of time on this application. This is not a trick. We do not want to further tax your limited resources. Feel free to write very short descriptions, even one sentence, or to copy language from other grant proposals. We ask questions primarily to verify that you are actively producing and that you commit to using funds as we intend them to be used, including to pay artists or leaders of color and/or artists or leaders who bring an underrepresented perspective to our community through gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, economic disadvantage, refugee/immigration status or other reasons you define. Your narrative is not otherwise being judged in any way.
There is no required reporting for this grant. You may be asked for a testimonial on the impact of this grant at the end of the grant period.
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MainStage residency program
Brooklyn Comedy Collective
DEADLINE: November 24, 2024 (end of day)
INFO: The BCC is excited to announce the return of our Mainstage Residency program, in which an ensemble creates an original show. Helmed by Artistic Director, Philip Markle, and Associate Director, Maya Sharma, this cast of 6-8 performer/writers will craft a revue featured in a 6-week run on the Mainstage at BCC. Over the course of a 2 month-long rehearsal process, cast members will devise sketch, character, clown, musical comedy, and solo pieces, in addition to improvised elements, that will add up to a thematic whole for the show. This professional process will include significant out-of-rehearsal writing and preparation, all geared toward creating a polished show that plays to the BCC's "fuck it, love it / fun & dumb" style of comedy. This residency is a way to build your performance chops and strengthen your collaborative process.
AUDITIONS: held in 30-min slots Sat, Dec 7 (3-7 PM) and Wed, Dec 11 (7-10PM) and Sat, Dec 14 (3-7 PM)
Auditioners will prepare an original 90-sec solo bit that brings them joy. This can be anything - a character, a short song, a game, an improvised hosting moment - think outside the box and surprise us! After solo performances, auditioners will perform improvised 2-person scenes with one another.
CALLBACKS: held Wed, Dec 18 @ 7-10 PM at the BCC Dog House (137 Montrose).
All performers must be available for one of the audition dates + the callback date.
Rehearsals @ Eris (167 Graham Ave, Brooklyn)
Devising Show:
Sundays, 3:00 - 6:00 PM, Jan 5 - Feb 23 (no rehearsal Feb 16 for President's Day Weekend)
Note: a max of 2 rehearsals may be missed in this time frame due to existing conflicts.
Final Rehearsals/Tech:
Sat, 3:00-6:00 PM, March 1, March 8, March 15
Sun, 3:00-6:00 PM, March 2, March 9
Note: no rehearsals/tech can be missed in this time frame.
Performances: Saturdays @ 7:00 PM, March 15 - April 19 (6 SHOWS).
Note: Performers must be available for all shows.
PAY:
Rehearsals: $250 stipend for rehearsal process (minus $25 for any missed rehearsals).
Performance: Cast members will be paid 60% of the box office (after $150 cover per show) from all 6 shows - split equally between all cast members.
INDUSTRY/CRITICS: BCC will be inviting NY industry and press to attend and review the show.
AUDITION REQUIREMENTS:
Students must have completed BCC's Improv or Sketch or Clowning curriculum.
OR
Completed another established comedy theater's full Improv or Sketch or Clowning program.
OR
Have produced/performed in a significant number of shows at the BCC to have a sufficient level of performing and writing experience and understand the BCC style.
NOTE: Audition selections will be made on a case-case basis at BCC's discretion. Spots are limited and meeting the above requirements does not guarantee a slot.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfJ0-OwFPhghZLOreRlXANljGV0sz6QSaEFUtnov1Cyfjm2Lg/viewform
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DREAMing Out Loud
PEN America
DEADLINE: November 30, 2024
INFO: DREAMing Out Loud is a paid, tuition-free creative writing workshop series for migrant writers, primarily those who are undocumented, DACA recipients, and/or DREAMers who came to the United States when they were children. By providing community and professional support to the next generation of immigrant writers, the program seeks to counter anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. and to amplify the voices of many living in this country who are marginalized because of their immigration status.
In 2025, three workshops will be in-person and two workshops will be virtual. Instructors Álvaro Enrigue's and Claudia Rueda's in person workshops will be held at the PEN America office (120 Broadway 26N Floor, New York, NY 10271). The in person playwriting workshop will be held at The Drama Book Shop (266 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018). Instructors Charlie Vázquez and Cherry Lou Sy's workshop will be virtual. If selected, attendance and commitment to the program, whether in-person or virtual, is expected and required.
BENEFITS:
In workshops led by established writers from migrant backgrounds or connections to the migrant community, 40 participants are provided a modest stipend to develop original fiction, poetry, nonfiction, plays, and picture book writing.Participants are invited to perform or have their work performed at a public reading and invited to voluntarily publish in various print and digital formats, including an annual anthology. The program provides access and connections to professionals in the publishing and theater industries and empowers DREAMers to develop their own unique artistic voice and craft to ensure that any future literary canon will include their stories, perspectives, and lived experiences. Participants receive access to resources tailored for migrant artists, including at least one author-led talkback about writing and publishing each year.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must identify as an immigrant, reside and/or go to college in New York City, and be 18 years or older to apply. Limited space will be reserved for and DREAMing Out Loud alumni. College graduates are welcome to apply.
The official deadline (Saturday, November 30, 2024 by 11:59 pm) is rolling and may close if all slots are filled. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance via email.
ARTIST RIGHTS AGREEMENT pertaining to The DREAMing Out Loud Anthology:
Ownership: The artist retains full ownership and copyright of all original works submitted for publication or exhibited in any public events and in the DREAMing Out Loud anthology.
Right to Remove: The artist reserves the right to request the removal of their submitted work at any time. Upon such request, the work will be removed in a timely manner.
Attribution: The artist will be properly credited for their work in all instances of publication and exhibition.
Usage Rights: PEN America may use the submitted work for promotional purposes of the program and PEN America, provided the artist is notified and credited accordingly.
Modifications: The artist retains the right to modify their work prior to the final deadline provided. This agreement aims to protect the artist's rights while allowing for collaborative opportunities.
ROYALTIES AND PROFITS pertaining to The DREAMing Out Loud Anthology:
This anthology is published by PEN America, a nonprofit organization, and as such, no profits or royalties will be generated from this publication. Any and all proceeds from the sale of the DREAMing Out Loud anthology will be reinvested into the organization’s mission and activities supporting the program. Please note that this work is printed on demand, ensuring that each copy is produced specifically to meet reader requests without excess inventory. Thank you for your support and understanding.
QUESTIONS?
Contact the Program Coordinator (TC. Mann, tcmann@pen.org).
pen.org/program/dreaming-out-loud/
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literary arts grants
South Arts
DEADLINE: December 4, 2024
INFO: As part of its Literary Arts Initiative, South Arts is excited to announce grants for literary arts projects for writers and publishers. These grants deepen our commitment to amplifying literary traditions and practices of the American South through directly funding the initiation, development, and completion of literary arts projects in poetry, fiction, creative or literary nonfiction, young readers’ literature, and drama (playwriting and screenwriting).
Literary Arts Grants will be made to writers, independent literary publishers, and small presses:
LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR WRITERS: South Arts will award literary grants up to $5,000. Applicants (writers or organizations) must apply through Salesforce and include writing samples and other required attachments specified in these Guidelines.
LITERARY ARTS GRANTS FOR PUBLISHERS: South Arts will award literary arts grants up to $5,000 to support Southern independent publishers and small presses. Applicants must apply through Salesforce and include the publisher’s representative work samples and other required attachments as specified in these Guidelines.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline to Apply: 12/4/2024
Awards Announced: February 2025
Funding Cycle: March 1, 2025 – August 30, 2026 (18 months)
The award announcement may be earlier or later than the date listed above, depending on the number of applications and judging process.
Applicants who are not selected for an award will receive notification via the email on their application form before the award announcement.
South Arts reserves the right to not consider incomplete or improperly submitted applications without informing the applicant.
Judges do not communicate any information or details of their review. Given the volume of applications received, South Arts cannot provide individual feedback on the application and from the panel.
Applicants who move from the South Arts Region after they submit their application are encouraged to notify South Arts and will not be eligible to receive a grant award.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
ELIGIBLE ENTITIES
All applicants are eligible to receive only one grant award.
Current, full-time resident or Headquartered in the South Arts Region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and at receipt of the award.
For Writers
One application per artist or arts organization per funding cycle will be accepted.
Applicant artists must be 18 years of age or older.
Applicant artists must not be enrolled in a literary arts/writing academic program at time of application and at receipt of award.
Current, full-time residents for at least the prior 12 months s of the South Arts region (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application during the project period.
Works authored by more than one person are ineligible.
For Literary Arts Organizations
For Publishers: Independent nonprofit publishers and small presses including journals.
Based in the South Arts Region for at least the prior 12 months (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, The Carolinas, Tennessee) both at the time of application and during the project period.
Other non-profit organizations with a literary arts mission.
INELIGIBLE ENTITIES
Units of government
Colleges/Universities are ineligible to apply for this grant.
UNALLOWABLE ACTIVITIES
General operating support.
Support for a full season of programming.
Courses or coursework in degree-granting or continuing education institutions.
Literary publishing that does not focus on contemporary literature and/or writers.
Publication of books, exhibition of works, or other projects by the applicant organization's board members, faculty, or trustees.
Projects for which no curatorial, juried, or editorial judgment has been applied to the selection of artists or art works.
Social activities such as receptions, parties, galas, community dinners, picnics, and potlucks.
Costs of entertainment, including amusement, diversion, and social activities and any associated costs are unallowable; generally, this includes activities at venues such as bars, wineries, and breweries where the consumption of alcohol/social activity is the primary purpose of the venue.
Awards to individuals or organizations to honor or recognize achievement.
Commercial (for-profit) enterprises or activities, including arts markets, concessions, food, t-shirts, artwork, or other items for resale. This includes online or virtual sales/shops.
Construction, purchase, or renovation of facilities.
Sub-granting or regranting.
UNALLOWABLE COSTS
Cash reserves and endowments.
Startup costs or other costs associated with establishing new organizations.
Alcoholic beverages or other hospitality costs.
Purchase and/or use of gift cards and gift certificates to support project costs.
Gifts and prizes, including cash prizes as well as other items with monetary value (e.g., electronic devices, gift certificates).
Contributions and donations to other entities, including donation drives.
General miscellaneous or contingency costs.
Fines and penalties, bad debt costs, deficit reduction.
Marketing expenses that are not directly related to the project.
Audit costs.
Rental costs for home office workspace owned by individuals or entities affiliated with the applicant.
The purchase of vehicles.
Costs incurred before the beginning or after the completion of the official project period.
MATCHING REQUIREMENTS
All grants require a 2:1 cost share. South Arts matches $2 for every $1 the applicant contributes towards project costs.
Grants will pay up to 2/3 of the total cost of the opportunity, with a maximum award of $5,000. The applicant must cover remaining expenses, and South Arts requires a 2:1 match (2 South Arts: 1 grantee). Artists may include their own cash in the match. Examples:
Total Project Cost- $6,000, the applicant can request up to $4,000 and contribute the remaining $2,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions.
Total Project Costs are $15,000: The applicant can request up to $5,000 and contribute the remaining $10,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions.
Toal Project Costs are $3,000: The applicant can request up to $2,000 and contribute the remaining $1,000 of funds through a combination of their own cash and other contributions.
Budget details should identify the source of funds (including self-funding, private contributions, institutional stipends, or additional grant funding) not requested from South Arts.
Total projected expenses must meet or exceed the request by 50%.
Funds can be used for these eligible expenses directly related to participation in proposed activities:
For Organizations: Itemize project personnel costs
Travel (itemize air, ground, lodging, per diem, visa services)
Equipment rental (itemize all equipment rental expenses)
Office expenses (itemize supplies, and shipping/postage)
Services/professional fees (itemize editorial, graphic design, photography/videography, financial, publishing, production, and distribution services, etc.)
Marketing
Facility expenses (itemize rent, space rental, utilities)
Insurance
Childcare or elder caregiver service costs that arise as a result of applicant planning and executing the proposed project
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Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices
Lambda Literary
DEADLINE: December 8, 2024 at 11:59pm EST
APPLICATION FEE: $30
INFO: The Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices is the nation’s premier LGBTQ writing residency. It is the only multi-genre writing residency devoted exclusively to emerging LGBTQ+ writers. The Retreat is an unparalleled opportunity to develop one’s craft and find community.
Since 2007, the Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ Voices has offered sophisticated instruction in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, young adult fiction, playwriting led by the most talented writers working today. In 2022, the Writers Retreat expanded to include instruction in screenwriting and speculative fiction, and in 2025, we will introduce the newest cohort serving writers working in both and between playwriting and screenwriting.
In 2025, as we did in 2024, we are holding our Writers Retreat online. This format allows for us as an organization to continue building our resources while offering the same high-quality programming that remains accessible to folks who may not otherwise be able to attend in-person programs.
We are excited to announce that this year, we will be lengthening the typically week-long program to a 10-day virtual retreat, from Thursday, July 31-Saturday, August 9. In this new model, we will use the first two evenings on Thursday and Friday to build community and hold additional programming. We hope that this new model will build relationships and community, offer more learning opportunities, but we also aim to allow those attending the retreat from home to continue to sustain the elements of their livelihood outside of the Retreat program.
Additionally, we will be adding a brand new cohort to our Writers Retreat: the screen/play/writing cohort. This cross-genre cohort is meant for performance writers who work outside of the stage/screen binary, those who waft between genres, and those who are working in adaptations. We invite all screenwriters and playwrights in this cohort to consider how their work can move between genres, between stage and screen, while centering writing for performance. Coming back for another year after an astounding stint as Playwriting Faculty in 2024, we welcome back Roger Q. Mason to lead this inaugural cohort!
SCHEDULE:
We’ve extended the typical length of the retreat from 7 days to 10:
We will have a mix of synchronous programming and asynchronous programming, and on days when we offer all day programming, fellows can expect to have ample breaks and rest from screens.
Thursday, July 31-Friday, August 1: Programming begins at ~7:00 pm EST/ 4:00 pm PST
Saturday, August 2-Friday, August 8: All day programming
Saturday, August 9: Programming ends at ~6:00 pm EST/3:00 pm PST
APPLICATION DETAILS:
Applications to attend the 2025 Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBTQ* Voices open on November 1, 2024 and close at 11:59 pm Eastern Standard Time on December 8, 2024. You may apply to more than one workshop, however, each application must be submitted separately and requires an additional fee.
We are offering a number of application fee waivers for the QTBIPOC** (Queer and Trans folks who are or identify as Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color) folks who would be attending the Retreat for the first time. Please email retreat@lambdaliterary.org to request an application fee waiver.
To Apply, Please Prepare
1. An artistic/biographical statement (max 500 words).
2. a writing sample matching the genre of the workshop you’re applying for:
.DOC, .DOCX, or .PDF format.
For prose, double spaced, 12 point font.
For Fiction, Nonfiction, Speculative Fiction, and Young Adult Fiction: 15 pages maximum. This maximum applies to cross-genre samples as well as samples in verse.
For Playwriting/Screenwriting and Play/Screen/Writing: 15 pages maximum from a full-length work, short play/script, or piece of theatre/film.
For Poetry: 8 pages maximum.
The sample you apply with does not have to be the same sample you plan to workshop at the Retreat.
3. Optional, not required for acceptance:
Any publications of your work during the past two years, including anthologies, literary journals, magazines, websites, and books.
Any other writing conferences, retreats, and workshops have you attended.
If you're applying to scholarships, a scholarship statement (max 500 words).
TUITION + SCHOLARSHIPS:
Writers Retreat tuition is currently set at $1,625. However, we are working on raising funds to lower this price for fellows. This means there is a possibility that the price of tuition will go down, but it will not go any higher than $1,625. All accepted/waitlisted applicants will be notified of the final price of tuition before accepting their fellowship.
Lambda Literary has a host of full and partial scholarships that are available for accepted applicants.
Ability to pay is in no way part of the decision-making process. We have a robust and ever-growing host of scholarships available thanks to our intensive fundraising efforts and generous donors. Lambda also supports fellows in their own fundraising efforts using our fundraising platform. Many fellows who used our peer-to-peer fundraising platform in 2024 raised their entire tuition fee.
The $30.00 application fee is processed through Submittable's online portal. If you wish to pay by cash or check please contact retreat@lambdaliterary.org.
APPLICATION STATUS NOTIFICATIONS:
Writers Retreat Faculty make the final determinations regarding accepted and waitlisted applicants. All applicants will be notified of their application status in April 2025.