Sewanee Writers’ Conference

July 15-27, 2025

Writers may apply to the Sewanee Writers’ Conference by submitting applications in one or more of the categories listed below. The application deadline is March 1.

Applicants may apply in more than one genre. The Conference offers contributor positions (general admission) as well as merit-based scholarships and fellowships (see eligibility criteria). Award applicants who would like to be considered for a contributor position should they not receive an award must submit a separate contributor application in addition to the award application. Writers can only attend the Conference once on a scholarship and once on a fellowship in any particular genre.

All applicants will be notified of decisions via email April 15.

2025 Faculty

FICTION Chris Bachelder • Venita Blackburn • Kirstin Chen • Vanessa Hua • Holly Goddard Jones • R.O. Kwon • Leigh Newman • Kirstin Valdez Quade • Akhil Sharma • Luis Alberto Urrea

POETRY Cortney Lamar Charleston • Tarfia Faizullah • Donika Kelly • Nate Marshall • A. E. Stallings • Felicia Zamora

NONFICTION Eula Biss • Jaquira Díaz • Melissa Febos • Lacy M. Johnson

PLAYWRITING Cusi Cram • Adrian Einspanier • Talene Monahon • Jesús I. Valles

All participants are expected to attend the Conference for its entire 12-day duration. 

Applicants must be 21 years of age by the time of the Conference. Past that criteria, age is not a factor in admissions. We welcome a wide range of ages to the Conference. 

Conference Fees
Contributors - $2,500 ($1,100 for tuition and $1400 for room and board)
Scholars - $1400 (Conference covers tuition)
Fellowships - Conference covers tuition, room, and board.

All participants, including fellows, are responsible for their own travel costs.      

CantoMundo, Cave Canem, In-Na-Po, Kundiman, RAWI, and The Sol Project Fellowships

We are excited to offer CantoMundo, Cave Canem, In-Na-Po, Kundiman, RAWI, and The Sol Project fellowships to this summer's Sewanee Writers' Conference. The CantoMundo, Cave Canem, In-Na-Po, RAWI, and The Sol Project fellowships are open to past and current fellows of those organizations. The Kundiman fellowship is open to all Asian American writers. The RAWI fellowship is open to all Southwest Asian and North African Writers. Fellowship applicants must have at least one book in print by the time of the Conference.

Applicants accepted to the Conference will have the opportunity to submit a separate manuscript for workshop as well as their top choices for a faculty reader.