Are you an African or Black writer who has never published a book or attended a writing residency? The WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program 2027–2028 will choose five developing prose writers for a funded week-long residency in Tennessee, USA, followed by a year of online mentoring and community. Apply quickly: applications close when 30 are received or on October 30, 2026, whichever comes first.
About the WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program
WRITEABILITY® is a US nonprofit dedicated to “defending the imagination” and supporting writers. Its new Fellows Program, funded by a private donor, gives developing writers uninterrupted time to write, chances to read their work aloud, and a year of accountability, resources and community. The 2027–2028 cohort is the programme’s first.
Benefits of the WRITEABILITY® Fellowship
- Up to US$1,500 toward the WRITEABILITY® Residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, Gatlinburg, Tennessee (May 3–9, 2027). This covers registration, meals, housing and programme activities.
- About US$600 of that amount left over as optional reimbursement for travel to Gatlinburg
- A year’s membership of the online Sustaining Circle (worth about US$804), meeting on Zoom every Thursday
- Up to four one-to-one meetings a year with a mentor from the WRITEABILITY® Guild or Board
- Readings of your work in progress at the residency and at an online event at the end of the year
Important for applicants outside the US: the travel money is only about US$600, and it is paid as a reimbursement after you travel. Return flights from Nigeria or most of Africa to Tennessee cost much more, and you will need a US visa. Plan how you would cover the rest before applying.
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements
- Identify as African American, African, Black, or Native American/Alaska Native
- Have never attended a writing residency
- Have never published a book, including a self-published one
- Have never earned a graduate degree in creative writing
- Not currently hold a 2026–27 WRITEABILITY® scholarship (past recipients may apply)
- Write prose regularly and are committed to it
- Can attend the whole residency in person, May 3–9, 2027
- Can join live Zoom sessions on Thursdays, 12:00–1:30 p.m. US Eastern Time (5:00–6:30 p.m. in Nigeria), from May 6, 2027 to April 13, 2028, with at least 80% attendance
- Will take part in one in-person and one online reading, and reply to emails within about three business days
Fellows’ Responsibilities
- Share a bio, headshot and updates about your fellowship experience during the year
- Keep receipts for travel if you want reimbursement
Application Deadline
Applications opened on October 1, 2026, and close on October 30, 2026, or earlier if 30 applications arrive first. If five suitable Fellows are not found, WRITEABILITY® may reopen applications.
How to Apply for the WRITEABILITY® Fellows Program 2027–2028
- Go to the official WRITEABILITY® Fellows page and read the eligibility rules and FAQs.
- Check that you meet every rule, especially no published book, no previous residency and no creative writing graduate degree.
- Make sure you can travel to Tennessee in May 2027 and attend Thursday Zoom sessions.
- Complete the online application form on the same page. Do it today, as places may fill before October 30.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Show your regular writing habit with specific examples, such as writing every morning or a draft you are working on.
- Explain what a residency and a year of community would change for your writing.
- Be honest about your travel plans if you live outside the US.
- Proofread carefully. It is a writing fellowship.
Key Details at a Glance
- Organiser: WRITEABILITY® (US nonprofit)
- Places: Up to 5 Fellows
- Residency: May 3–9, 2027, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA
- Funding: Up to US$1,500 (residency costs plus about US$600 travel reimbursement), plus a year of online community and mentoring
- Who: African, African American, Black and Native American/Alaska Native prose writers without a published book
- Deadline: October 30, 2026, or when 30 applications are received
