Application Process

Prospect Street Writers House welcomes applications from writers of all genres, backgrounds, identities, aesthetic perspectives, and at all stages of their careers.

 The Process Itself

Fill out the application form on slideroom.com and upload a manuscript and a brief letter of interest, i.e., what you’re working on; why a residency; why Prospect Street, along with a nonrefundable application fee of $30. There are no deadlines; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. We recommend applications be submitted at least ten weeks before the requested start date. Applicants will be notified within six weeks of their submission date. Contact Gary Clark gclark@prospectstreet.org with any questions, including scheduling, financial aid, and the residency itself. 

Manuscript

We request a manuscript so we can get to know you and your writing a little better. Upload your manuscript as a PDF set in a common font, such as 12-point Times New Roman. Prose and play/screen writers – 15 pages (double spaced). Poets – 9-12 pages as one PDF with one poem per page (single spaced). Translators – submit the original text and its English translation, but do not exceed 15 pages. Your name should not appear anywhere on the manuscript.

Review Panel

A panel of peers reviews each manuscript, not to make an acceptance judgment but to familiarize the Director with your work.

Residencies – Length of Stay

Prospect Street offers one week and two week residencies during seven months of the year. In order of preference, select two start dates. 

Retreats – Length of Stay

During February, March, and April, the Writers House is available for customizable retreats, e.g., group meetings, workshops, or reunions. You and two or three friends can book a suite for three to five nights at the nightly rate. To book a retreat, a group leader should first reach out to us at gclark@prospectstreet.org to confirm the dates. Each group member would then submit an individual application, including the names of the others in the group. 

FEES and CALENDAR

Residency Fees

Residencies are listed on the calendar as one week. However, two single weeks can be combined.

A one-week residency fee is $1,450. If requested, acceptance includes a grant of $250. The two-week residency fee is $2,450: acceptance carries a grant of $500.

Writers in a position to contribute the full cost of a residency are encouraged to do so and thanked in advance. They will be supporting Prospect Street’s commitment to communities that have historically had less access to writing retreats and spaces.

Financial Aid

PSWH is committed to making the residency financially accessible. If assistance in addition to the acceptance grants is needed, submit a request for supplemental financial aid. Further assistance to BIPOC writers is available through a dedicated fund. We do not assume all BIPOC writers want or need financial support, but for those who do, this assistance is there. Follow the “Supplemental Financial Aid” instructions on the application.

Payment

A deposit of $250 is due upon acceptance. This sum is nonrefundable but is good for a rescheduled PSWH residency within one year of the original start date. The fee balance must be received prior to the start of the residency.

Arrival Sunday Departure Fri/Sat Duration
January 1 to January 3 CLOSED
January 4 (thu) to January 13 ten days
January 14 to January 20 one week
January 21 to January 27 one week
January 28 to February 3 one week
February 4 to February 11 CLOSED
February 12 to May 4 RETREATS
May 5 to May 11 one week
May 12 to May 24 two weeks
May 26 to June 1 one week
June 2 to June 14 two weeks
June 16 to June 22 CLOSED
June 23 to June 29 one week
June 30 to July 6 one week
July 7 to July 19 two weeks
July 21 to July 28 one week
July 28 to September 2 RETREATS
September 3 to September 21 CLOSED
September 22 to September 28 one week
September 29 to October 11 two weeks
October 13 to October 25 two weeks
October 26 to November 2 CLOSED
November 3 to November 9 one week
November 10 to November 16 one week
November 17 to December 31 CLOSED
Arrival Saturday, Departure Friday
January 4
January 11
January 18
January 25
February 1 (one week only)
April 26
May 3
May 10
May 17
May 24 (one week only)
June 7
June 14
June 21
June 28
July 5 (one week only)
July 19
July 26
August 2 (one week only)
September 20
September 27
October 4
October 11 (one week only)
October 25
November 1
November 8 (one week only)