AF WKLY / Fellowship
* There is no 2024 fellowship. The fellowship will resume in 2025. *
The Ann Friedman Weekly Fellowship is a year-long program for nonfiction writers who are not yet established in their careers. It includes mentorship and editing; a $5,000 annual stipend; regular check-ins to provide structure and accountability; and space in my newsletter where fellows can publish and promote their work. This program is funded by paying members of the Ann Friedman Weekly.
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application period will open in December 2024.
Who I’m looking for: Nonfiction writers who don’t have (m)any published clips, who aren’t well-connected to editors, who don’t have a substantial social media following. Basically, if you’re without mentorship or a support structure, this fellowship is for you. I’m looking for people who are already writing and developing ideas, not people who hope this fellowship will turn them from non-writers into writers. Your geographic location doesn’t matter, nor does your age. I invite people from populations that are underrepresented in media to apply. (I know most job listings have a line like this, but I really and truly mean it. Please apply!) Also: It’s fine if you write fiction or poetry, too, but this fellowship focuses on nonfiction forms like essays, criticism, reported features, profiles. Please do not apply if your primary objective is to finish your novel or sell a screenplay.
Compensation: A stipend of $5,000. This fellowship is not a full-time job, and will not provide any health insurance benefits. Think of it more like a year-long, highly personalized workshop with steady mentorship.
Commitment: We’ll do a monthly Zoom check-in, and you will have space in my newsletter at least once a month, too. Your time commitment will be variable, but I think it’s safe to say a few hours per week. I also expect you to engage with your fellow fellow (lol) and be responsive to deadlines we set together, without me having to nag.
Why I’m doing this: I’m eager to share what I know about the craft of writing, the business of media, newsletters, podcasts, book publishing, and idea development. I do not have the resources of a magazine or a grad program, but I do have editing experience and lots of subscribers. I want to help a few writers sharpen their skills and gain an audience. I also selfishly want to meet more great writers, and stay in touch after the fellowship year ends! For more context, read this.
How to apply: Write me a letter, no longer than one page. In it,
Tell me a little bit about who you are, where you’re at, and the writing you’re currently doing. You could also mention what you’re inspired by lately (writers, books, ideas).
Then tell me about 2 or 3 nonfiction writing goals you have for for the coming year. These could be skills you want to learn, specific ideas you want to follow through on, projects you want to start, formats you want to experiment with. Please focus on what you want to create, not the attention you hope it will garner, and be as specific as you can. For example: Tell me what you want to write a newsletter about, not how many subscribers you hope to attract. Tell me about an organizer you want to profile, not that you want to “write about social justice.”
Title the document “[Your Name] AF WKLY Fellowship Application.”
Applications are due by end-of-day (midnight PST) on January 15, 2025. This deadline is strict. I read all applications personally, so you won’t hear from me until February 15 at the earliest. I will only consider applications submitted through the form.
Fellowships begin March 1 and run through the end of the calendar year.
EMERITUS FELLOWS
2023: Paige Curtis and Vera Blossom
2022: Autumn Fourkiller and Celia Mattison
2021: Nereya Otieno and Shanti Escalante-De Mattei