Writing Prizes Submission Instructions:

Deadline: Fall 2024--Monday, December 9, 2024 at 11:59 pm.

• Application Form: Click on link below to complete the Google Doc application form
• Submissions: Upload your submission at the end of the Google Doc application form. If you are submitting for more than one prize you must upload a separate file for each prize.
  
• Each submission must be:
  • double-spaced with page numbers
  • with the author's name, prize name and WesID on the first page.
• You may submit no more than one piece (a total of 30 pages) for each prize. Poetry submissions may be a collection of poems.
• One piece can be used for up to two different prizes if applicable (Example: one piece of fiction can be submitted for two different Fiction prizes.) However this same piece must then be submitted twice, once for each prize.
• Electronic File Format and Naming: Submit as PDF or RTF files with the following Name Format: Last Name_First Initial--Prize Name. EXAMPLE: McNeff_J--Horgan 

Writing Prizes Application Form

Annie Sonnenblick Writing Award  

Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025

The Sonnenblick family has established this award in memory of Annie Sonnenblick, a member of the Wesleyan class of 1980, who took great pleasure in literature and the creative arts. The award provides up to $4,000 to a junior who wishes to undertake a nonfiction writing project during the summer between junior and senior year.

Application is attached below, and requires: a description of the proposed writing project, an itemized budget with estimated expenses, a writing sample, and two faculty references. Applicants should mention previous writing training, reading, and research.

Previous winning projects have included various kinds of creative, scholarly, and critical nonfiction writing. The completed project and a report on spending will be due September 15, 2024 and will be reviewed by one or several faculty members and donors.

Sonnenblick Award--Submission Instructions

Olin Fellowship

Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025

For first years, sophomores and juniors

Founded in 1854 by the mother of Stephen Olin, President 1839-41 and 1842-51 and later increased by gifts of Stephen Henry Olin, Class of 1866 and Acting President 1922-23, and his wife. Olin fellowships are awarded to support independent research or creative writing, and are to be used for work in English outside the Wesleyan course structure. Such work may consist of research (in preparation for your thesis, for example) or training in research methods, study in an academic program, or creative writing.

Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of your project’s merit, your ability to carry it out, and in recognition of both promise and achievement in English studies. Your financial need will be a factor although it is not the primary consideration. 

Olin Fellowship--Submission Instructions

Winchester Fellowship

Deadline: Monday, April 21, 2025

For graduating seniors and recent graduates

Established in 1938, in memory of Professor Caleb Thomas Winchester, by his widow. Winchester fellowships are open to graduating seniors and recent graduates, and are intended to support graduate work in literature or writing, particularly work for the Ph.D. Applicants must already be admitted to a graduate program in order to receive a fellowship. The Winchester award is intended to be used as a substantial supplement to fellowships, teaching assistantships, and the like, or to enable students to undertake research or travel. The maximum award is $5,000.

The Department will consider academic achievement at Wesleyan and potential for achievement in graduate school. Wesleyan graduates may apply and be awarded a fellowship up to two times. The time lapsed between graduation and application is not a determining factor.

 Winchester Fellowship--Submission Instructions

Shu Tokita Prize Submission Instructions:

Deadline: Monday, December 9, 2024 by 11:59 PM 

• Write a 750-word essay on one of the following two topics: 
  
  • How do you plan to use your major, or focus of study, to make literature more accessible to people of all backgrounds?  Please offer a specific example from either your own experience or perhaps a literary text that can illustrate your views.
  • What does literature have to offer us in our current moment of profound social, political, economic and environmental upheaval?
• Save your essay with the following naming format: Last name_First initial—Shu Tokita  (Ex: Doe_M—Shu Tokita) 
• Click on Google Form link below and complete all information on the application form. NB: Since this prize is need based, you must be willing to allow the prize committee members to share with each other your Financial Aid status. 
• Upload your essay in the space indicated and submit your application.

Shu Tokita Prize Application Form