The Young Writers Studio is a program for young people who want to become better writers, learn about themselves, and see their island home with fresh eyes. If you are curious about the history of Key West and want to find your voice as a writer, this program is for you!

Open to students in Monroe County who will be starting their sophomore, junior, or senior years in the fall of 2026, the Young Writers Studio is open to writers or would-be writers of all levels. Students who are homeschooled or from unconventional educational backgrounds are equally encouraged to apply. Full program details can be found on our website.

How to Apply

 Write a letter to Key West Literary Seminar:

• Introduce yourself. Explain why you want to be part of this program. What makes you a great candidate? What in the description of Young Writers Studio intrigues you?
• Describe your relationship to reading and writing. Please tell us what has been your favorite thing (novel, poem, short story, graphic novel, children’s book, anything) you have ever read and why.
• Tell us about your relationship to Key West. What do you love about this area and landscape the most? Do you have a favorite place or a favorite aspect of life here?

Suggestions:

• Feel free to address these questions in whatever order makes the most sense to you and creates a logical flow.
• Be yourself. Your letter should be casual and relaxed. Don’t be afraid to give us a sense of your personality and be completely honest.
• Remember that detail, description, and sharing quick anecdotes or examples can help make your writing fun and relatable.
• Also remember that editing for typos and small errors helps show that you care and are trying to make the best first impression.

Your letter should be no more than 650 words (minimum 500 words), which is the standard maximum length for a college application essay. It will be good practice!

Fee & Scholarships:

The program fee is $520; this covers a portion of the expenses associated with programming. If admitted into the program, a $100 deposit will be due within a week of acceptance, with the balance due in early June. Scholarships are available and full funding is assured for any accepted student with a demonstrated need. To request a scholarship, please describe (in 200-300 words) the financial limitations you face and how a scholarship will help.

Space is limited, and completed applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the course is full. Apply early for your best chance of being accepted!

For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities, visit our website.

* PLEASE NOTE DEADLINE OF JUNE 1 *

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 June 1 and your letter of recommendation must be received no more 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/ or your work. In most cases, we find that we do not need to reach out to those references.     

EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by June 1, 2026 (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 early fall. 

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 - JUNE 1*

We are honored to have Joy Williams as this year's judge.

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 1, 2026 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/ or your work. In most cases, we find that we do not need to reach out to those references.         

EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by June 1, 2026 (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 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 - June 1 * 

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 31 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.  In most cases, we find that we do not need to reach out to those references. 

        EMERGING WRITER AWARD DEADLINE: Applications must be received by June 1, 2026 (not later than 11:59 pm EDT). Letters of recommendation must be received by no more than one week later.

              -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------        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 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS 

This workshop is open to writers of all levels, and requires no advance writing submission in the application.    

 To be considered for the class, 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, if any.           

•  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.  

 Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS 

This workshop is open to writers of all levels, and requires no advance writing submission in the application.    

 To be considered for the class, 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, if any.           

•  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.  

 Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS 

This workshop is open to writers of all levels, and requires no advance writing submission in the application.    

 To be considered for the class, 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, if any.           

•  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. 

  Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS 

This workshop is open to writers of all levels, and requires no advance writing submission in the application.    

 To be considered for the class, 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, if any.           

•  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.  

 Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS 

This workshop is open to writers of all levels, and requires no advance writing submission in the application.    

 To be considered for the class, 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, if any.           

•  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.  

 Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS

This 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 five double spaced 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.  

Click here for our refund policy.

January 3-7, 2027 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).      

REQUIREMENTS

This 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 five double spaced 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.  

Click here for our refund policy.

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 June and September 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.

We are typically not able to let applicants know far in advance whether they are accepted; sometimes you will receive an invitation two to three months before your desired residency date. If you do not hear from us, it is most likely because your application is still open. 

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.

For more information about this and other scholarship opportunities, please visit our website. APPLICATION DEADLINE: The priority deadline is Aug 1, 2026, and we STRONGLY encourage you to apply early. We will continue to accept applications on a rolling basis and offer aid as long as funding is available, but we often fill up our spots in the first round. As such, if you apply after the priority deadline, you may not hear from us with confirmation of your status even though your application will remain open.

HOW TO APPLY: Complete the form below, making sure that you have prepared these required materials: 1. FELLOWSHIP REQUEST LETTER: In no more than 750 words, please tell us about yourself as a reader and writer, how you heard about the Writers' Workshop Program, and why you would like to attend. Please tell us about your financial situation and whether or not you would be able to attend without our support. Please note: This letter replaces the required cover letter in the workshop requirements.

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. WORKSHOP REQUIRED MATERIALS: Review the course description for the workshop(s) you wish to participate in and prepare any and all required materials. You will then upload these as part of the application below. You may apply for up to two workshops, indicating a first choice and second choice.

Instead of a cover letter for the workshop, please include the fellowship request letter as detailed above.

When applying for a Fellowship in either All Levels workshop, please submit the fellowship request letter AND upload a writing sample of up to five pages that best reflects your work. 3. REFERENCES: Please provide the names, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of two persons who are familiar with you and your work.