Emerging Writer Fellowships / Submission Guidelines

General Information | Submission Guidelines | Eligibility
2025 Mentors | 2025 Fellows 

  • Applications Open:  March 1, 2026
  • Application Deadline: April 30, 2026 @11:59 p.m. EST
  • Winners Notified: Late fall 2026
  • Fellowship Year: January 15, 2027 – January 31, 2028
  • Final project manuscript and completed fellowship experience survey submitted by January 31, 2028
MBF/MDC does not own any material generated during residencies; it remains the intellectual property of the fellow, but we reserve the right to reproduce any small part for grant reporting purposes.

List of Application Materials Needed

  • Proposal for manuscript-in-progress
  • Statement of need
  • Manuscript sample
  • CV
  • Recommendation letters (2)

Submission Guidelines

  • Applicants may apply only once per submission cycle.
  • Online submissions ONLY will be accepted through our submission management platform, Submittable. Applicants may verify receipt of their submitted manuscripts by logging into Submittable.
  • Miami Book Fair assumes no responsibility for manuscripts not received due to user error. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application early.
  • There is no fee to apply.
  • Aside from the Submittable Cover Page, there should be no identifying information in any of the submitted materials.
  • Academic Nonfiction, Translations, Poetry, Graphic Narratives, Children’s Literature, and Young People’s Literature (including Middle Grade and Young Adult), and Film or Play Scripts are not eligible.
  • The fellowship program defines Jewish Fiction as a work of fiction in which Jewish life or culture plays a meaningful or central role in the narrative and character development. Jewish themes – related to Jewish cultural, religious, or historical contexts – should inform the plot, setting, identity, or interpersonal dynamics. All work will be considered based on its own merit and not on the author’s personal religious affiliation or cultural background. Please refer to Miami Dade College’s non-discrimination statement HERE.

Formatting Guidelines

The following materials must be submitted (acceptable files are PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF). There should be no identifying information in any of these materials. Any applications that do not comply with this strict formatting will be immediately disqualified. Application file must include:

  • Proposal to complete a manuscript-in-progress that can be feasibly completed within the yearlong fellowship (not to exceed one single-spaced page). You must include a synopsis of your project. Name the document [PROPOSAL_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Proposal_Fiction_Beloved) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).
  • Statement of need: Tell us why it is important that you receive this fellowship now. Name the document [STATEMENT_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Statement_Fiction_Beloved).
  • Sample of manuscript-in-progress (paginated, include title of manuscript in header). Prose should be 50-70 pages in Times New Roman, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Name the document [GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE].doc (example: Fiction_Beloved.doc)
  • CV (education, professional experience, full publication list, honors and awards, etc.). Name the document [LASTNAME]_[FIRSTNAME]_CV.doc (example: Smith_Jane_CV.doc) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).

Applicants must also request that two (2) recommendation letters be submitted online within seven (7) calendar days after the application deadline.

  • Letters of recommendations should include information relevant to writing, dedication, any relevant strengths, and skills regarding the applicant’s writing, work ethic, ability to engage with the community, and optimize the opportunity.
  • Letters of recommendations may be submitted from college professors, mentors, and anyone who can speak for the applicant’s writing, work ethic, skills, and community involvement.
  • Applicants should provide this link to recommenders so they can directly upload their recommendation letter by the deadline: https://mdc.formstack.com/forms/emerging_writer_fellowships_letter_of_recommendations

The Miami Book Fair Emerging Writer Fellowships program is supported by The Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Jewish Stories, the Green Family Foundation, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Tristarr LLC, Amazon Literary Partnership, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture.