It’s Application Season!
This month’s feature is all about applying to writing residencies, fellowships, workshops, and contests. Find out where and how I applied.
Springtime is what I’ve come to think of as “application season.” For me, this means applying to writing-related workshops, fellowships, contests, and conferences that require a formal selection process, and invitation to attend. In this month’s post, I’ll discuss my macro-process for navigating the array of submission opportunities available to emerging writers. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how I submit while maintaining my weekly word count on a second-draft novel, a new essay, and short story revisions.
Attending or being awarded a fellowship, residency, workshop, or writing prize develops your resume and connections. Most of the year, I generate stories solitarily, and attend writing classes available to all; to me, those are essential to being a writer. However, learning and engaging with the writing community through events that require a knock-on-the-door are the next steps in my progression as a storyteller.
If you’re on a similar path, and looking for inspiration, you can find all the places to which I’ve applied, or soon will, on WriteGuide Calendar. There are plenty of online micro-level guides about creating application content, but this post is about the big-picture. WriteGuide is here to help you navigate your application season, and the next stage of your writing journey.
Let’s go!
1) Identify and Create a List
Thanks to sites like Submittable, you can find a multitude of writing organizations that will be happy to take your application fees. Be selective. Start by browsing and researching posted opportunities, identify your goals as a writer, and consider your budget and travel constraints—especially if participation is in-person. Determine if the offerings meet your needs, and ask yourself if you’re willing to fulfill the commitments.
Note the range of application due dates for your selections. Identify where the majority of the due dates fall in preparation for Step 2.
2) Compartmentalize & Set Limits
After you identify opportunities and their respective due-dates, draw boundaries around these dates on a calendar. My application season becomes the time leading up to when the majority of the due dates occur. This helps me confine application prep and submission activity to a specific and realistic date-range. If other options crop-up outside of this designated timeframe, I can still apply, but I limit the exceptions. Shorten your list as needed.
Compartmentalization helps me manage the overwhelm of options, and naturally limits how much time I spend on something other than my regular writing. Last year’s application season was just eight weeks long. My 2021 season is between March and June, with a quick check-in on any new or overlooked opportunities in November. Protect your writing time by setting aside specific hours and days for your season.
3) Templatize
Prepare templates that include the commonly-requested writing application components, listed below. I work on these outside of my application season.
Author bio
Artist’s statement
Cover letter
Project description
Synopsis
Properly formatted manuscript or excerpt
List of past writing classes
On the Internet, you can find guides or classes about crafting many of the listed elements. Like applying for a job, be ready to tweak your templates to meet the specific needs of each application.
4) Organize
Keep a folder for each place of submission, and reference past versions as the application requirements—and you— change year-over-year. Combine or refresh the documents, but never throw out your past content; it’s the soil for next season’s efforts, and previous answers are recyclable.
5) Proofread
Carefully proofread each and every application. Ask a trusted friend, writing colleague, or family member to read it for you. Solicit an outside opinion on at least the first submission of your application season.
6) Let Go of Perfection
You will make mistakes on your applications. When I find mine, I correct them in the next draft, and keep submitting. Don’t let this year’s rejections stop you from re-applying to the same places next season, but do seek-out new application opportunities that align with your current writing skills and goals.
7) Ask for Financial Aid
Many opportunities offer scholarships; request reduced fees if needed.
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I’m half-way through my application season, and so far I’ve submitted to eight writing residencies, workshops, fellowships, and contests using this macro-process. By June, I hope to have applied for at least six more. This application season has been a welcome a break from my regular writing routine.
And, great news: I’ve been accepted!
This month, I’m “off” to The Writer’s Hotel for their virtual workshop. The editors of The New Guard are already reading my 10,000 word submission, and I’m eager for their critique. At the workshop, I’ll connect with a community that’s only available beyond my quiet office and regular writing practice.
You can write to me about your application season and submission process, or ask question through my contact form. I’d love to hear from you!
