YAWP Summer Teen Writing Fellowship

Applications for 2024 are now open! Apply here.

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 18, 11:59 pm ET.

GrubStreet's Teen Writing Fellowship immerses 20 high school students in the writer's life of creative craft and publishing. During three weeks at GrubStreet, teens work with published authors and meet with literary agents and editors, take field trips to inspirational locales like the ICA, and more. Regardless of writing experience, all students will learn techniques in a variety of genres, including but not limited to: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. In the spirit of writers' residencies for adults, all teens will receive a stipend of $625 for their commitment to the program and their time spent as working writers. 

Program

Who

• High school students entering grades 9-12 in fall of 2024
• Boston and Greater Boston residents looking for a creative community
  • Only applicants who live in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex or Essex counties will be considered
• Writers of any genre who are eager to experiment and explore a future in the arts

What

• 3 weeks studying under local, established writers:
  • Generating new work in multiple genres
  • Workshopping how to give and receive feedback on creative work
  • Learning how to sustain a future in the literary world as college students, educators, agents, editors and working artists
• Lunch, snacks, and MBTA passes provided
• Perform work in culminating Teen Writing Fellowship Showcase
• Additional 4th week where a team of 8 fellows will lead the production of an anthology of work produced over the course of the fellowship

Where

• GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing in Seaport: 50 Liberty Drive, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02210

When

• Mondays through Fridays, July 8 - July 26, 2024, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm with half-day Fridays ending at 1:00 pm
• Annual Teen Writing Fellowship Showcase: July 25, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
• Anthology Production 4th Week: July 29 - August 2, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm with half-day Friday ending at 1:00 pm

The Application Process

Once the application period opens, each student must upload in their online application the following documents:

• Creative Writing Sample (2-10 pages) which can include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, plays, screenplays, songs, cross-genre or experimental work. This may include multiple pieces and/or genres (no academic essays). Don't be afraid of spelling mistakes or in-process drafts, we're looking for your unique voice!  
• Personal Statement (no more than 600 words) -- Answer the question: 

  If you were chosen as a writing fellow, what do you think you'll gain from this experience and what do you think you can offer this writing community? We encourage you to consider aspects of this fellowship you find helpful and compelling. How would you learn from and contribute to a diverse community of fellow writers? We welcome you to write about aspects of your background, experiences, or interests you might bring to your cohort. 

• The online application will also ask for the following information:

  •     Your name, contact information, and high school name.
  •     Your parent/guardian name, contact information
  •     A teacher/mentor name, contact information
  •     Your demographic information (optional)

  Please email [email protected] with any questions.

Application Deadline: Monday, March 18th at 11:59pm

NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER the deadline. No changes can be made to submissions after they have been received. 20 students will be chosen to participate with a short list of alternates. Any updates or additional information will be posted to this site, as appropriate. Students will be notified in April.

No phone calls please. We cannot release any information prior to the deadline. Any updates/information will be listed on this page. 

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YAWP Summer Fellowships are made possible, in part, thanks to The Calderwood Charitable Foundation, The Vertex Foundation, The Linde Family Foundation, The Boston Public Library Foundation, The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, MassHousing, The 'Quin Impact Fund,  The RBC Foundation, and donors like you.

 

If you have questions or need help selecting a course, please call (617) 675 9632, or email us at [email protected].