Fellowships in Fiction and Poetry
For over twenty years, the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing has welcomed poets and fictions writers to Madison, where they spend an academic year working on a first creative book and teaching one creative writing class each semester. The Institute now sponsors up to six fiction and poetry fellows every year.
Eligibility
Poets and fiction writers who have completed an MFA or a PhD in a creative writing program (other than the University of Wisconsin-Madison's MFA program) by the August 15th prior to the fellowship year are eligible to apply for a Wisconsin Institute poetry or fiction fellowship provided they have not had a book of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction or other creative work published or accepted for publication as of the postmark date of application. Fellowship recipients must spend the academic year (approximately August 15-May 15) in Madison at the University of Wisconsin, where they will write, teach one creative writing workshop each semester, and give one public reading from their work in progress. Fellows also assist with the Brittingham and Pollak Prizes in Poetry in the fall, assist with judging student creative writing contests in the spring, and participate in the selection of the next year's fellows. Poetry and fiction fellowships pay $27,000 for the academic year. Fellows also receive generous health benefits.
Application Process
Applications for poetry and fiction fellowships must arrive during the month of February and include the following:
- A $45.00 Application Fee payable to the Department of English
- A resume or vita
- The names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two recommenders. Letters of recommendation are not required.
- A writing sample consisting of either 10 pages of poetry (single-spaced and stapled with no more than one poem per page, each new poem starting on a new page) or up to 30 pages of fiction (double-spaced and stapled). Fiction applications must consist of either one short story or a novel excerpt. NOTE: Your name must not appear anywhere on your manuscript and, while previously published work may be submitted, your manuscript must in no way indicate that your work has been published.
- A single cover sheet listing your name, address, phone number, email address and the title(s) of your writing sample, as well as the genre in which you are applying.
- A stamped self-addressed envelope for our decision.
Suggestions
- If you are submitting short fiction, do not send more than one short story. The limit is one short story no matter how short that story may be. If you send more than one story, we will read only the first one. If you are sending a novel excerpt, you may (but need not) include a brief synopsis (one or two paragraphs) of the novel.
- Do not send both fiction and poetry in a single submission. You may apply in both genres, but you must send a separate application, including a separate application fee, for each.
- Do not have your application arrive before February 1st. (We will accept applications postmarked by the last day of February even if they arrive later.)
- Do not forget to list your genre on your cover sheet. This is especially important if you are writing work such as prose poems, novels in verse, or fiction that incorporates poetry. Let us know in which category, fiction or poetry, you wish to be considered.
- Although previously published work may be submitted, do not indicate in any way on your writing sample that your work has been published. We will not read tear sheets or photocopies of published work. You may, of course, include that information in your vita.
- Do not put your name on any page of the manuscript other than the cover sheet.
- Do not use an unconventional manuscript format. For example, do not use margins wider than one inch or use either tiny or huge fonts. A standard 12 or 10 point font such as Times New Roman is best.
Materials will not be returned. There is no application form. All the information needed to apply is listed above.
Fiction and Poetry fellows will be notified of their selection by May 1. Names of our new fellows will appear here.
Submission
Send the completed application to:
Ron Kuka
The Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing
Department of English
6195B Helen C. White Hall
600 N. Park St.
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Madison, WI 53706
Contact:
If you have questions concerning these fellowships, contact the Institute Director, Professor Jesse Lee Kercheval.