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) |