The Kathryn Gurfein Writing Fellowship - Submission Process for 2022

Due Friday, July 1 at 11:59pm EST

The Writing Institute invites emerging writers, who have not yet published a full-length manuscript, and have taken at least one course at The Writing Institute in 2021 or 2022, to apply for the 2022 Gurfein Writing Fellowship.

Recipients will receive one full year of personalized, one-on-one mentorship from a selected faculty member or esteemed writer. Past mentors have included writers such as Mary LaChapelle, David Hollander, Suzanne Gardinier, Steve Lewis, Marian Thurm, and more. Find all information regarding applicant eligibility and submission guidelines below.

To Qualify for The Gurfein Fellowship:

1. All applicants must not have already published a full-length manuscript and have taken at least one course at The Writing Institute between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022. One day intensive participants are not qualified. 

2. Submissions of prose, fiction or non-fiction, and poetry are acceptable. Works that include a combination/hybrid of genres must still adhere to the length requirements below.

3. Previous applicants for The Gurfein Writing Fellowship in past years are welcome to apply again. Previous Gurfein Writing Fellows are not eligible.

In a SINGLE DOCUMENT, please provide a submission packet that adheres to the following guidelines:

1. Include short synopsis of piece (provide context, if it's a short story or part of a larger work, plot summary, etc.) [max. 200 words]

2. A five page sample of your writing [Prose--max. 1,250 words] [Poetry--max. 5 pages, 1 poem per page] (double-spaced, 12-point font, Times New Roman).

3. Each submission will be read anonymously. LEAVE ALL NAME & CONTACT INFORMATION OFF SUBMISSION PACKET. Include only the title & page number in top right corner.

4. Upload SINGLE DOCUMENT as .doc, .docx, or .pdf

Submission Deadline: Friday, July 1, 2022 at 11:59pm

The selected recipient will be notified of their fellowship in September 2022. The recipient and honorable mention will be announced publicly at a hybrid celebration (live and virtual) in October 2022 (date TBA).

If you have questions about the registration process, please call us at 914-323-6170 or email writinginstitute@sarahlawrence.edu.