The Jesse H. Jones Fellowship from the Texas Institute of Letters is aimed at working writers who are at any stage in their careers: emerging, mid-level, or restarting. A writer must demonstrate a commitment to the craft with some record of prior publishing and/or cite specific examples of workshops, mentor programs, or master classes that they have attended. The fellowship consists of a $9,000 award to fund the completion of a literary work of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction for a general audience, which the applicant will describe in detail. A writer may use the fellowship for housing, travel, research, marketing, or any other related cost that helps the writer complete the literary work. The fellowship is not intended for more successful, established writers who would not benefit markedly from the award. The application fee is $35. The submission period is October 15, 2024 to December 15, 2024.
Submit an application here (beginning October 15.)
Eligibility:
At the time of the application, a writer must have lived in Texas for at least five consecutive years at some time. Inducted members of the TIL are also eligible, as is work with subject matter that substantially concerns Texas.
The Application:
- A writing sample from the proposed project that best helps judges evaluate the quality and content of the writing. Please limit the sample to no more than fifty manuscript pages for prose and thirty pages for poetry. The format for the writing sample must follow industry standards.
- A clear and concise description of what the applicant plans to work on during the fellowship. Please limit this description to three pages. Applicants must answer these questions:
a. What are you working on?
b. At what stage is the project (planning, partial, completed first draft)?
c. Why is your project important or necessary? - A list of the applicant’s publications and literary awards, along with any workshops and/or writing programs attended. Please limit this to two pages.
- An explanation of how this award will help in the development of the writer’s career. Any additional pertinent information
The Judges
- Octavio Quintanilla
- Sergio Troncoso
- Diana López
- Guadalupe García McCall
- Kip Stratton
