Shapiro Center for Creative Writing and Criticism

116 Mt. Vernon St.
Middletown, CT, CT 06457

Creative Writing Prizes

The Creative Writing Program awards prizes for writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, and offers a post-graduate fellowship. We encourage you to apply. If you have questions about these awards, contact Elizabeth Staplins, estaplins@wesleyan.edu

Sarah Hannah Prize
  • Offered in memory of Sarah Hannah, class of 1988, in association with the Academy of American Poets. Awarded for an outstanding poem.
  • 2024 Applications are due Monday MARCH 25, 2024 BY MIDNIGHT
  • Submission Instructions

John W. Paton Prize

  • Named for philanthropist John "Jack" Paton, class of 1949 and created by his wife Sybil Paton to honor his memory. He retired in 1988 after thirty-six years of service at Wesleyan: teaching English and journalism, creating a department of public information, and founding the Wesleyan Writers' Conference. Paton believed everyone has stories to tell and that they should be told. Awarded for the best piece of narrative creative writing endeavoring with issues of social justice.
  • 2023-2024 Applications are Monday MARCH 25, 2024 BY MIDNIGHT
  • Submission Instructions

Wesleyan Fiction Award

  • Funded by a gift from Norman Mailer to the Wesleyan Writing Programs, this award recognizes an outstanding piece of fiction written by a Wesleyan student.
  • 2023-2024 Applications are due Monday MARCH 25, 2024 BY MIDNIGHT
  • Submission Instructions

James L. McConaughy Writing Prize

  • Awarded for a piece of nonfiction writing--on a topic in the social sciences or sciences--that is designed to interest general readers. Funds for this award were given originally by members of the class of 1936 In honor of their classmate, James L. McConaughy, former governor of Connecticut and president of Wesleyan University. This new version of the prize was established in 2015.
  • If possible, the submission should include a brief note from a faculty member, nominating the piece. The faculty note nominating a McConaughy prize submission may be included with the materials that the student submits electronically (via email) OR, if the faculty member prefers, the note may be sent directly to Ryan Launder, rlaunder@wesleyan.edu.
  • 2023-2024 Applications are due Monday MARCH 25, 2024 BY MIDNIGHT
  • Submission Instructions