Welcome to the Submittable site for Key West Literary Seminar. Here, you can submit applications to participate in our Writers' Workshop Program; and/or apply for the opportunities provided by our Scholarship and Writer-in-Residence Program, or Young Writers Studio.
You'll find more information about the programs and opportunities we offer on our website, kwls.org. The Writers' Workshop Program main page includes an overview of our program, with links to complete course descriptions and application requirements. Visit our Scholarship Program main page for information about Workshop Financial Assistance, our Emerging Writer Awards, and the Teacher and Librarian Scholarships.
For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities, visit our website.
* PLEASE NOTE NEW DEADLINE OF MAY 30 *
Requirements for Scotti Merrill Award for poetry:
1. COVER LETTER: In approximately 350 words, please tell us about your background, motivations as a writer, and previous accomplishments.
File name should adhere to the following model: “Lastname_Firstname_cover.doc” and your name should appear at the top-right-hand-corner of the page.
2. WRITING SAMPLE: Please submit 5 - 7 poems within one document. File name should adhere to the following model: “Title_of_First_Poem.doc” and your name should not appear on the manuscript.
3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter of recommendation is required. In the application form below, you will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender. Once you submit the application, they will receive an email from Submittable with a link to upload the recommendation letter. We strongly suggest that you contact your recommender before you submit your application and alert them to expect this email as it sometimes ends up in spam. They may also send their recommendation directly to kschumann@kwls.org.
*Applications missing the letter of recommendation are incomplete and will not be considered. Application deadline is May 30 and your letter of recommendation must be received no more than a week later.
EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by May 30, 2024 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT). Letters of recommendation must be received by the following week.
Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we are implementing a $12 application fee to cover review costs. Award winners will be notified by November 1.
ELIGIBILITY: Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a collection with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility may be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.
For complete guidelines about this and other scholarship opportunities, visit our website.
* PLEASE NOTE NEW DEADLINE - MAY 30 *
Requirements for Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award for a short story:
1. COVER LETTER: In approximately 350 words, please tell us about your background, your motivations as a writer, and your previous accomplishments. File name should adhere to the following model: “Lastname_Firstname_cover.doc” and your name should appear at the top-right-hand-corner of the page.
2. WRITING SAMPLE: Please submit a complete short story of 20 pages or fewer (12-point font, double-spaced). File name should adhere to the following model: “Title_of_Short_Story.doc” and your name should not appear on the manuscript.
3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter of recommendation is required. In the application form below, you will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender. Once you submit the application, they will receive an email from Submittable with a link to upload the recommendation letter. We suggest that you contact your recommender before you submit your application and alert them to expect this email.
*Applications missing the letter of recommendation are incomplete and will not be considered. Application deadline is May 30, 2024 and your letter of recommendation must be received no later than a week later.
4. REFERENCES: Please provide the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two additional persons who are familiar with you and your work.
EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by May 30, 2024 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT). Letters of recommendation must be received by the following week.
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Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we are implementing a $12 application fee to cover review costs. Award winners will be notified by November 1.
ELIGIBILITY: Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility could be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.
For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities, visit our website.
* PLEASE NOTE NEW DEADLINE - MAY 30 *
Requirements for Marianne Russo Award for a novel-in-progress:
1. COVER LETTER: In approximately 350 words, please tell us about your background, your motivations as a writer, and your previous accomplishments.
File name should adhere to the following model: “Lastname_Firstname_cover.doc” and your name should appear at the top-right-hand-corner of the page.
2. WRITING SAMPLE: Please submit an excerpt from your novel of 25 pages or fewer (12-point font, double-spaced). Preface this excerpt with a single page containing a “pitch” of 250 words or fewer; this should provide an outline of your novel and any context that may be useful to the reader.
File name should adhere to the following model: “Title_of_Novel.doc” and your name should not appear on the manuscript.
3. LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION: One letter of recommendation is required. In the application form below, you will be asked to provide an email address for your recommender. Once you submit the application, they will receive an email from Submittable with a link to upload the recommendation letter. We suggest that you contact your recommender before you submit your application and alert them to expect this email.
*Applications missing the letter of recommendation are incomplete and will not be considered. Application deadline is May 30 and your letter of recommendation must be received no more than one week later.
4. REFERENCES: Please provide the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of two additional persons who are familiar with you and your work.
EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by May 30, 2024 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT). Letters of recommendation must be received by no more than one week later.
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Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we are implementing a $12 application fee to cover review costs. Award winners will be notified by November 1.
ELIGIBILITY: Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility could be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.
January 5-9, 2025
For workshop description and instructor bio, please visit our website.
Please note: If you are seeking financial aid for this workshop, submit your application materials here (not via this form).
REQUIREMENTSThis is an advanced levels workshop — it is open to experienced writers and requires a writing submission.
- To be considered, please upload a cover letter (500 words or fewer) that states your interest in this workshop and gives an overview of your writing background and prior workshop experience.
- Please also submit a writing sample of three - five poems (max five pages).
- The cost is $675. If you are selected to participate in the workshop, a $300 deposit will be due within seven days of acceptance.
- Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the class is full. We will continue to accept applications after the class fills up, in the event of cancellations.
Our Writer-in-Residence Program aims to support emerging and accomplished writers in the production of compelling literary work by providing short-term housing in Key West. Residency periods of one to four weeks are available from February through November.
Potential writers-in-residence should submit a concise narrative proposal in the form of a personal letter. Please describe past accomplishments and current projects, outline a proposed focus for your residency, and convey a strong sense of why you want to work in Key West. Reviewers will evaluate the literary merit of each proposal as well as its “fit” with our mission and history. Priority will be given to applicants whose project could only be completed in Key West, or where something about the geographical, environmental, cultural, and/or political factors of the region and/or our island city are germane to your project.
Please allow six-to-eight weeks for a reply.
Housing is provided in a private, fully furnished upstairs apartment, part of our small compound on Love Lane in old town Key West, next door to the library and within walking distance of all the basic requirements: food, drink, movies, and the ocean. We are able to host one writer at a time. No funding is available for travel or living expenses. More information is available upon request.