PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship

PEN America’s Emerging Voices Fellowship is a long-standing initiative aimed at nurturing early-career writers who are traditionally underrepresented in the publishing industry. Launched in 1996 following the success of PEN America Los Angeles’s 1994 forum “Writing the Immigrant Experience,” the fellowship was conceived to offer mentorship, access to professional literary networks, and creative community for writers from marginalized backgrounds. Over the years, it has evolved into a nationally accessible, virtually administered five-month mentorship program, ensuring inclusivity for writers regardless of geographic limitations. With a commitment to promoting diverse voices, the fellowship supports writers who identify as Black, Indigenous, people of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, individuals with disabilities, and those living outside of major urban areas. The core objective of the fellowship is to cultivate emerging literary talent by providing fellows with critical exposure to the inner workings of the publishing industry. The program includes one-on-one mentorship with established authors, workshops and masterclasses on craft and editing, and professional development sessions with agents, editors, and publishers. Additional benefits include a $1,500 honorarium for each fellow, a professional headshot, submission guidance for literary journals and fellowships, and access to discounts and programming from partner organizations. Fellows also receive a one-year PEN America membership and will participate in public readings and events to showcase their work. Eligibility for the 2026 Emerging Voices Fellowship is carefully defined to maintain focus on early-career writers. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and currently residing in the United States during both the application period and the duration of the fellowship. Individuals currently enrolled in a degree-granting program are not eligible, with the exception of doctoral candidates who have completed all coursework. Additionally, applicants may not have advanced degrees in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry, and must not have published books through traditional or academic publishers or have a book under contract. Former recipients of the Emerging Voices Fellowship are also ineligible. The application period for the 2026 cycle runs from January 1 to January 31, 2026, closing at 11:59pm Eastern Time. Applications are accepted exclusively through the Submittable platform and require a $25 application fee. Financial hardship waivers are available upon request. Applicants must submit a writing sample—fiction and nonfiction entries must be double-spaced and capped at 15 pages, while poetry submissions must not exceed 10 pages—and adhere to strict formatting requirements, including anonymity of the manuscript. The selection committee, composed of PEN America staff, past fellows, and publishing professionals, prioritizes the strength of the writing sample when evaluating submissions. All applicants will be notified of selection decisions by May 15, 2026. The fellowship term runs from July through November 2026. Participation in all virtual programming—including workshops, gatherings, and public events—is mandatory. While no pre-application letter of intent or concept paper is required, applicants must provide the name and contact details of at least one reference who can speak to their character and creative commitment. No feedback will be provided on applications or manuscripts, and PEN America’s selection decisions are final. The organization emphasizes equity and nondiscrimination in all of its programs. This initiative is part of PEN America’s broader mission to defend and celebrate free expression and support writers across diverse backgrounds. The Emerging Voices Fellowship, alongside its sister program—the week-long Emerging Voices Workshop held twice yearly in Los Angeles—demonstrates PEN America’s investment in fostering a more inclusive literary landscape. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the program’s web page and contact [email protected] for general inquiries.

Submit writing that best reflects your project; writing sample is the primary selection criterion.