Applications for Summer 2024 are now closed.
The Teen Summer Writing Fellowship is an intensive, three-week creative writing program for young writers. Through classes, workshops, and readings, students will generate new work, learn about the craft of writing, and gain knowledge of the writing/publishing world. In the tradition of adult writing fellowships, each student will receive a stipend of $625 upon completing the program and successfully completing its requirements.
The YAWP Fellowship is by application only and 20 students will be chosen to participate. YAWP fellowship recipients may only attend the fellowship every other year, once as an incoming freshman/sophomore and once as an incoming junior/senior. Students learn techniques in all genres: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and screenwriting. And no matter their favorite genre, they’re expected to try any and all writing techniques covered in the program. Students are also encouraged to fuse genres and explore sub-genres like sci-fi/fantasy, verse novels, speculative fiction/magical realism, mystery, romance, and whatever their imagination calls for. This program is rooted in artistic exploration and learning how to commit to their art no matter where life takes you.
Note: We are planning for this year's fellowship to be held in-person, but this is subject to change depending on CDC guidelines. The information below applies to the in-person version of the program; however, if we go remote, comparable benefits will be provided before, during, and after the three-week program.
- 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 and attend school in Suffolk, Norfolk, Middlesex, Essex or Plymouth counties will be considered, although Boston residents will be prioritized
- Writers of any genre who are eager to experiment and explore a future in the arts
- 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 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
- GrubStreet Center for Creative Writing in the Seaport:
- 50 Liberty Drive, Suite 500, Boston, MA 02210
- 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
- Mentorship/peer writing community
- Public speaking/performance practice
- Publication in this year's Anthology
- $625 stipend upon fellowship completion
- Additional $15/hr for Anthology Design Team (week 4)
- Annual reunion events/future paid opportunities
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 (ET)
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.
YAWP Summer Fellowships are made possible, in part, thanks to The Calderwood Charitable Foundation, The Linde Family Foundation, The Boston Public Library Foundation, The Mabel Louise Riley Foundation, MassHousing, The RBC Foundation, Liberty Mutual Foundation, The Vertex Foundation, The 'Quin Impact Fund, and donors like you.