Founded in 1922, PEN America champions the freedom to write, recognizes the power of the word to transform the world, and works to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible.

In support of its mission, the organization is accepting applications for its Emerging Voices Fellowship. Based in Los Angeles, the fellowship aims to provide new writers who are isolated from the literary establishment with the tools, skills, and knowledge they need to launch a professional writing career. 

The fellowship combines weekly meetings with an intense reading and writing schedule. The fellow will receive a $1,000 stipend; guidance from a professional mentor chosen from a curated list of authors; private Author Evenings with writers, agents, editors, and publishers; genre-specific master classes; UCLA Extension Writers’ Program classes; submissions, social media, marketing, and personal essay workshops; a professional voice instruction class and recording session; a volunteer opportunity; professional author photos and bio; and three public readings in Los Angeles.

If the fellowship recipient is not a resident of Los Angeles, s/he will need to relocate to Southern California from January to July 2020. (Housing is not provided.)

Those ineligible for the fellowship program include individuals who have a BA, MA, MFA, or PhD in creative writing; students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program; and writers who have published one or more books with a major publishing house, university press, or established press.

See the PEN America website for complete program guidelines, application instructions, and a list of past Emerging Voices Fellowship recipients.

Link to Complete RFP