Frequently asked questions about the Oregon Literary Fellowships application

Do I have to be an Oregon resident?

Yes, you must be a current, full-time Oregon resident, both at the time of application and of award.

What is the application fee?

Literary Arts does not charge an application or reading fee for the OLF program.

What genres do you award fellowships in?

Literary Arts awards fellowships in poetry, fiction, literary nonfiction, drama, and young readers literature. Young readers literature includes writing for children and young adult literature.

I have published books and do not consider myself an emerging writer. Am I eligible to apply?

Fellowships are granted to emerging and established writers. Being published doesn’t make a writer ineligible.

Are works of translation eligible?

The writers fellowships are for writing that originates with the writer submitting the application. Works of translation are not eligible.

When is the deadline?

The deadline is Friday, June 27, 2008. Please note that this is not a postmark deadline. Applications must be received in the Literary Arts office by 5:00 p.m. This is a firm deadline and applications that arrive after this date will not be forwarded to the judges. You may hand-deliver the application if you’d like. The Literary Arts address is 224 NW 13th Ave., Suite 306, in Portland between NW Davis and Everett streets.

May I recreate the form on my computer?

Yes, as long as you don’t give yourself more room to answer the questions than is allowed for on the official form.

Do I have to type the application?

It’s okay to print if your handwriting is legible. The writing sample must be typed.

May I send more than 25 pages of prose?

No.

May I include illustrations?

Since this is a literary award, illustrations do not need to be included, and will not be forwarded to the judges.

May I include resumes or other information about me?

Please follow the application guidelines closely, and only submit what’s required. Extra materials will not be forwarded to the judges.

Should I put my application in a stylish presentation folder?

Please follow the guidelines closely, and make collated copies of your entire application and bind them into packets with a staple or paper clip.

May I send photocopies of my published pieces, instead of a manuscript?

Please submit your writing sample in typewritten, manuscript form.

May I apply in two categories?

You may only submit one Oregon Literary Fellowships for Writers application. However, if you own a small press or magazine and are also a writer, you may submit an Oregon Literary Fellowships for Publishers application for your press and an Oregon Literary Fellowships for Writers application for yourself.

What are the judges looking for in an application?

This is a question without a definite answer. The judges for the Oregon Literary Fellowships change every year. Work that a judge does not select one year could be selected for a fellowship by another judge the following year.

The applications are not pre-screened by Literary Arts. We select out-of-state judges who are established in their genre to judge the applications, and we ask them to use literary merit as the sole criterion. We encourage applicants to follow the guidelines closely, and present their work in the most favorable manner possible. Writers often apply several times before being selected for a fellowship.

Who are this year’s judges?

The identity of the judges remains confidential until the recipients are announced.

When are the recipients announced?

The recipients are announced in early January. The applicants receive a letter and a press release is issued. The information is also posted on our website.

Who should I contact if I still have questions?

Susan Denning is happy to answer any questions you might have. You can call her at 503.227.2583, or email her at susan@literary-arts.org.

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