GrubStreet's Emerging Writer Fellowship is open for 2024-25 applications on January 8th! The Fellowship aims to develop new & exciting voices by providing writers tuition-free access to GrubStreet’s classes and Muse & the Marketplace conference. We had a chance to check in with one of our 2023-24 Emerging Writer Fellows, Stevie Billow, at their halfway point and ask a few questions about their time at GrubStreet so far.

GrubStreet: Can you discuss any projects or pieces you've been working on during the fellowship? How has the fellowship supported or influenced your work?

Stevie Billow: I started the fellowship identifying pretty strictly as a fiction writer. However, thanks to encouragement from GrubStreet instructors and classmates, I’ve started work on a personal essay series! I’ve been chipping away at this project for the past few months. It's been pretty intense—I’ve never worked on something so emotionally draining, but it feels so worthwhile to share stories that are true to my life experiences.

GS: We would love to know more about your craft experiences during the Fellowship. What courses have you taken and instructors have you met? Has there been any specific piece of feedback or advice you received that helped you overcome a writing challenge?

SB: Some standout classes for me have been Developing Your Personal Essay with Vanessa Mártir, Writing Queer Bodies with Gabriele Preston, and a craft seminar on queer YA horror with Sara Farizan. I think all of these classes have pushed me out of my comfort zone in search of greater creative vulnerability. Sara Farizan discussed “self-censoring” as a deterrent to writing effective horror—that it keeps us from writing what is truly horrifying. I think that concept applies to all writing—that we often hold ourselves back from writing what is most impactful. Moving forward, I’m trying to be more intentional about not self-censoring and letting my whole self out on the page.

GS: Are there any unique aspects of the Fellowship experience you would want to highlight?

SB: This fellowship allows for a lot of creative exploration. It’s not like an MFA where you can sometimes end up shoehorned into one genre to fulfill academic requirements. I think the moments of most profound growth throughout this experience have come from when I try something new.

GS: One of the benefits of a writing community is kinship and workshopping. How has interacting with other Fellows and the GrubStreet community impacted your work and perspective?

SB: I’ve definitely got my fair share of social anxiety, but this fellowship has pushed me to be more active in the writing community! Everyone I’ve met through GrubStreet is working towards something and it’s so exciting to mutually support one another. You never know who you’re going to connect with and who is going to change the trajectory of your writing life.

GS: What advice would you give to writers considering applying for the Emerging Writer Fellowship in the future?

SB: Don’t give up! I applied to this fellowship several times before getting it. Despite rejections and reapplying, it’s always worth it to keep trying for opportunities that interest you!

Applications for the 2024 - 2025 Emerging Writer Fellowship open on January 8, 2024. Learn more about the Fellowship here.