Wednesday, May 12, 2010

BIG Fellowships & Grants for Writers: Summer Deadlines

Well, I recently got back from NYC after meeting with my editors, the book designer, and a million other great people at Free Press, the imprint of Simon & Schuster that is publishing my book, The Memory Palace. I am in the last leg of the production of this literary creature—I have to finish all the art and do several thousand more little things before it's actually sent off to be printed. I know I told you guys that I would do some posting on the book process, from start to finish, and I will, but it has become clear to me that I will be pretty crazy-busy until about mid-September. But if I can do anything on the subject before then, I will. In the meantime, I will just do my best to keep up with some deadlines. And speaking of writing and publishing books, here are some great opportunities for all you writers out there....Cheers, Mirabee.

(WRITERS) The Astrea Foundation Lesbian Writer's Fund: Two $10,000 grants to emerging lesbian poets and fiction writers. Two $1,500 grants are also given to finalists in each category. Applicants must have published work at least once in a newspaper, magazine, literary journal or anthology. For more information and guidelines, visit the website: http://www.astreafoundation.org. Deadline is July 15th, 2010.

(POETS) Frost Place Resident Poet Award: A prize of $1,000 and a six to eight week residency at Robert Frost's former home in Franconia, New Hampshire, is given each year to a poet, who has published at least one poetry collection. Email: [email protected] or visit the website for more information: www.frostplace.org. Deadline is July 2nd, 2010.

(WRITERS) Fil Prize in Romance Languages: A prize of $150,000 is given annually to honor a poet, fiction writer, or creative nonfiction writer who writes in Spanish, Portuguese, Catalan, Italian, French, Galician, or Roumanian. The prize is awarded by a consortium of Mexican governmental agencies, universities and banks. Individuals may not apply but cultural or educational institutions, associations or other cultural groups may nominate a candidate. Submit the writer's CV and a letter of support by June 15th. Email: [email protected] or visit the website for more info: www.fil.mx/ingles/i_index.asp.
***In cases like this, it is usually okay to ask someone you know to nominate you, if you think they could write a great letter of support.

(WRITERS & SCHOLARS) The Howard Foundation Fellowships: The Howard Foundation awards a limited number of fellowships each year for independent projects in selected fields. The Foundation targets its support specifically to early mid-career individuals, those who have achieved recognition for at least one major project. Approximately ten fellowships will be awarded in April 2011 for 2011-2012 in the fields of Creative nonfiction, literary translation (into English), Film Studies, and Literary Studies.

Stipends of $25,000 will be awarded to support individuals working on specific writing projects for the academic year 2011-2012. Howard Fellowships may not be used to prepare exhibits or to support institutional programs. There are no residency requirements for individuals who receive awards. The deadline for submission of applications is November 1, 2010. Fellowship recipients will be announced in April 2011. For more information and application guidelines, please write to: [email protected] or visit the Web site: http://www.brown.edu/Howard_Foundation.

(WOMEN WRITERS) Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund:
Individual artist grants for women, $500 to $1,500 each are given twice yearly to feminist writers. Women poets and creative nonfiction writers who are US and Canadian citizens can apply. I think the deadline is the end of June. Send an SASE for the entry form and guidelines. (They don't have a website so you must write them snail mail.): Susan Pliner, Executive Director, Money for Women/Barbara Deming Memorial Fund, Individual Artist Grants for Women, P.O. Box 309, Wilton, NH 03086.
***By the way, this organization really got hit hard by the crash. If you are feeling philanthropic this season, you might want to send them a wee donation. They could really use it!

(NONFICTION WRITERS) Richard J. Margolis Award: A stipend of $5,000 and a month-long residency at the Blue Mountain Center, an artists colony in Blue Mountain Lake, NY, is given annually to a nonfiction writer (including creative nonfiction but unfortunately, not memoir). Deadline is July 1st. Visit the website for details: www.margolis.com/award.

Welcome to Mira's List

This blog provides information on upcoming grants, fellowships and residencies for artists, writers, composers, and media artists. It is for serious professionals only, from emerging to mid-career to established. I also publish information for graduate students from time to time. However, I do not publish information on exhibition or publishing opportunities, nor do I advertise artist retreats and workshops that charge money. At least that is my current policy. For more info on where to exhibit or publish, please see my links section which I try to periodically update. I sift through hundreds of search engines and websites to find opportunities for YOU dear artist. In return, I ask you to pass the information along to those who need it. Also, since this is a free blog, I don't always have the time to weed carefully through everything. If you find a grant or website or residency that is not up-to-date, is dodgy in some way, or is no longer in existence, please let me know! Also, if you stay somewhere at one of the residencies I suggest and have a good experience, I want that feedback too. Please check my FAQs at the top right side bar if you have questions before starting your search. Best wishes and happy hunting!