Gulf South Writer in the Woods, a program of A Studio in the Woods and the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South, supports the creative work, scholarship and community engagement of writers examining the Gulf South region.

Specifically, this year we aim to support BILAPOC Speculative Fiction writers working in prose, poetry and stage/screenwriting. Special consideration will be given to southern voices, under-represented communities, and perspectives not often heard. Eligible writers must live in the Gulf South, be from/have heritage in the Gulf South, and/or write about the Gulf South. The awardee will receive a stipend of $5,000, a 6-week residency at A Studio in the Woods over 18 months, Tulane University library access, and staff support from the presenting partners.

DATES The term of the Gulf South Writer in the Woods will be Winter 2021 through Summer 2023. The six weeks of residency at A Studio in the Woods can be scheduled in up to three sessions between July 2021-June 2022.

REQUIREMENTS

• Exploration and early development of concept for a significant manuscript
• Creative and radical thinking
• Participation in six week residency
• Giving a public lecture
• Design and implement a community engagement event
• Participating in a public dinner

DEADLINE Proposals are due January 8th and residency will be awarded by February 26, 2021.

ELIGIBILITY Creative writers working in Speculative Fiction in the format of prose, poetry, or stage/screenwriting will be considered. This year we aim to support BILAPOC writers working in prose, poetry and stage/screenwriting who live in the Gulf South, are from/have heritage in the Gulf South, and/or write about the Gulf South. There are no degree requirements. If the applicant is a student, they must be an active and advanced graduate student—in their second year of coursework and beyond. Note that this is an opportunity for a single writer, not a collaborative team or ensemble. Foreign language projects are welcome, however application and primary work sample must be in English.

SPECULATIVE FICTION Speculative Fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that do not exist in terms of the recorded history and observed phenomena of the current universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and many other imaginative topics.[1] Under this umbrella category, the genres include, but are not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction, as well as combinations thereof (e.g. science fantasy).[2]

SELECTION PROCESS Every two years, a new Gulf South Writer in the Woods is selected through a jury process. The position will be awarded on the merit of the proposal, the stage of the manuscript, and its potential to result in new and refreshed understandings about this region. We will also consider the impact of the position on the writer’s career trajectory. The next selection process will take place in Winter 2023.

SUPPORT The awardee will receive a stipend of $5,000, a 6-week residency at A Studio in the Woods over 18 months, Tulane University library access, and staff support from the presenting partners. We are looking to support projects in the exploratory phase and will endeavor to connect the writer with faculty and experts in relevant fields. We will provide full room and board including food, utilities for living and studio space to selected resident. Resident is expected to cover personal living expenses, additional materials and supplies, and any other expenses relating to the cost of producing work incurred while in the program. Travel and shipping expenses to and from A Studio in the Woods for the residency are also the responsibility of the artist. To better understand project impact, each artist will work with an external evaluator.

Click HERE to submit proposal online.

GUIDELINES 

Gulf South Writer in the Woods proposals should include the following:

• 500-word project summary.
• Project narrative of no more than five double-spaced pages.

Please address the following:

• Project description.
• Project status and production/publication timeline.
• What resources can ASITW/NOCGS provide at this stage of writing?
• Proposed community engagement that fosters new imaginings.
• What is your relationship to any community/ies that your work will depict?
• Why is being in the Gulf South fertile for this stage of the project?
• Foreign language projects welcome, however application and primary work sample must be in English.

Attachments:

• • 5000 words or less, double-spaced excerpt of recent (past three years) creative work.
  • Up-to-date CV.
  • Two letters of recommendation sent directly by references to [email protected]
  • Not required, but permitted as supplemental materials: letters of interest from publishers, previous work.

Click HERE to submit proposal online.

For questions or more information, please contact Cammie Hill-Prewitt at [email protected]

Image: Esther Solondz, Bee Palace, 2017