For complete guidelines about this and other scholarship opportunities, visit our website.
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 June 30, 2023 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 June 30, 2023 (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.