Frequently Asked Questions
Required Degree
Q: I don't have a graduate degree, but I am a serious writer with a record of publications, awards, and the like to prove it. May I apply for a fellowship?
A: No. To be eligible for a Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing fellowship you must have completed an MFA or a PhD in Creative Writing by August 15th of the fellowship year. We cannot waive this rule even for those with a record of publications or other special circumstances.
Q: I have a graduate degree in a field other than creative writing. Am I eligible for a fellowship?
A: Again, we have to say no. This question is usually asked by persons holding PhDs in other fields. Unfortunately, we are not able to award fellowships to persons with PhDs in any other area, including English literature, composition, or other areas of English studies. Even if you have a PhD in English, took graduate level writing workshops, and wrote a creative dissertation, we still cannot offer you a fellowship if your degree is not specifically in creative writing.
Q: May I apply for a fellowship if I have an MA in creative writing?
A: Once again, no. Although in the past we did give fellowships to persons with MAs in creative writing, we have recently changed our rules and will no longer be doing so.
Previous Books
Q: I published a book that is neither fiction nor poetry nor creative nonfiction (eg., a cookbook or a car repair manual or an ESL textbook). Am I eligible for the fellowship?
A: Yes. A book that is not creative writing does not count as a book for fellowship purposes. If you are unsure if your book is considered a creative book for fellowship purposes, feel free to contact us.
Q: I edited an anthology. Am I eligible for the fellowship?
A: Yes.
Q: Am I eligible if I published a chapbook?
A: Yes. A chapbook is not considered a book for fellowship purposes.
Q: If I published a book of poems, may I apply for a fellowship in fiction?
A: No. Since the fellowship is provided to give writers time to work on a first book of creative work, you are no longer eligible to apply, even though your book was in a different genre.
Q: I signed a contract (or won a first book competition) after I submitted my application for a fellowship. Am I still eligible?
A: Yes. As long as you did not have a book published or accepted for publication at the time you applied, you are still eligible.
Writing Sample
Q: May I submit a slightly longer writing sample than the rules permit?
A: No. Additional material beyond the stated page limits will not be read.
Q: If I write very short stories, may I send more than one? May I send two 15 page stories instead of one 30 page story?
A: No to both questions. You may submit only one short story, no matter how short, even if that means you are sending fewer than 30 pages of work. If you send more than one story, only the first will be read.
Q: You say I may print only one poem on a page. What do I do about a long poem that won't fit on just one page?
A: In the case of longer poems, you may, of course, continue the poem on as many pages (up to 10) as necessary. You may, for example, submit a single 10-page poem or two 5-page poems. What we are asking is that each new poem begin on a new page.
Q: May I send additional material or substitute another story or otherwise update my application at a later date?
A: No. Only the original material submitted with the application will be considered.
Selection Process
Q: Could you give me an idea of how you go about selecting your poetry and fiction fellows?
A: Sure. Early in March, staff members separate the applicants' manuscripts from their other application materials using a number-coding system. At that point, the anonymous fiction manuscripts go to a panel of fiction judges and the anonymous poetry manuscripts to a panel of poetry judges. Each panel of judges receives only the anonymous manuscripts; the other material is not available to the judges. The judges then read and evaluate the manuscripts, narrowing down the field until each panel has selected the fellowship recipients and several alternates. Judges who recognize work as being by former students or personal acquaintances recuse themelves with respect to that work. Only after the judges have made their final decisions are the selected manuscripts matched up with the applicants' other materials. This is the first time the judges learn the names of, and other information about, the persons selected.
Q: Who are the judges?
A: The exact composition of each committee changes from year to year, but the committees always consist of creative writing faculty and current Institute fellows. There are generally five to seven judges on each committee.
Q: When and how will you let me know your decision?
A: We make our decisions and phone the selected fellows by May 1. As soon as we have all of our acceptances we post the names of our new fellows on this website and notify other applicants of our decisions. If you included an SASE with your application, you should hear from us sometime in May.
Q: Is there a certain style of writing you favor?
A: While selecting the fellows is an admittedly subjective process in which personal taste plays a large role, we do not intentionally restrict ourselves to certain styles of writing (as you will see if you read our fellows' books). Also, because the composition of our selection panel changes annually, it is hard to predict what kind of work will speak to a panel in a given year. All we can suggest is that you try not to second-guess the panel, but send in what you consider to be your very best work.