2022 Fellowships

The 2024 Fellowship competition is open on March 1, 2024. We look forward to reading your application.

The Writers’ Room of Boston, an urban writers retreat in downtown Boston, is committed to supporting emerging local writers of limited means by providing a secure, accessible workspace with 24-hour access. We are proud to offer our Writers Fellowship Program, which gives four juried writers full access to the workspace for one year.

Awards are based upon the quality of the submitted writing sample. Fellowships are available to writers at any stage in their career,  published or unpublished, grad student, developing writer, or professional, so long as the writer is serious about their craft.

Each year, we attempt to select excellent work across a range of genres, emphasizing diversity of technique and approach. The Room will be accepting fellowship applications in the following categories:

The Gish Jen Fiction Fellowship

Open to fiction writers with demonstrated talent and commitment. Special consideration is given to those at the beginning of their career and members of underrepresented groups.

The Writers’ Room Fellowship in Poetry

Open to poets working in any sub-genre or form. Those working in non-traditional and experimental forms are encouraged to apply.

The Writers’ Room Fellowship in Non-fiction

Open to writers working in non-fiction. Historical non-fiction, criticism, essay, long-form journalism, biography, dissertations would be appropriate submissions in this category.

The Writers’ Room Fellowship in Other Genres

Open to writers working in genres not otherwise mentioned. YA and works for children, graphic novels, memoir, screen and playwriting would be appropriate submissions in this category.

Fellowship Benefits

Fellowship recipients receive full membership to The Writers’ Room of Boston for one year beginning in July at no monthly cost (they will be expected to pay a one-time, refundable $75 key deposit). Membership includes 24-hour access to a secure and light-filled writing workspace in downtown Boston, along with all other amenities and privileges of members.

Additionally, should Fellows decide to become paying members after the conclusion of their Fellowships, they will receive a discount on membership fees for an additional twelve months.

Fellow Obligations

Upon acceptance, incoming Fellows agree to the following commitments:

  • Fellows will make frequent, active use of the Room. Acceptance of a fellowship entails a commitment to use the Room and participate in the Writers’ Room community.
  • Fellows will assist with WROB events and outreach. This could include assisting with outreach via social media (Twitter and Facebook), attending Open Houses, and providing support at special events (such as the Boston Book Festival or public readings),
  • Fellows will attend WROB events, particularly in-person and on-line readings, e.g. the Readings from the Room series
  • Fellows will assist with the selection process for the next year’s Fellowships
  • In the year following the end of their residency, fellows will attend and participate in a public or on-line reading of work they have completed during their Fellowship

How To Apply

To apply, use our websiste: http://www.writersroomofboston.org/apply-2/, You will need a brief description of your writing project and two attachments:

  • Writing sample (no more than 10 pages of prose, double-spaced, or 5 poems, single- spaced)
  • A professional resume

These materials may be submitted no later than April 1, 2024.

Please note: Our standard membership dues are $150/month. Fellowships are intended for those who feel that they are unable, at this time, to afford this expense. Those who are able to pay the standard dues are encouraged to apply for regular membership.

Got a question about the Fellowships? Please read the FAQs. And feel free to email us: fellowship@writersroomofboston.org.

The WROB Fellowship Program is supported in part by members of the Room and grants from the Boston Cultural Council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.