The “Miss Sarah” Fellowship for Black Women Writers ($1000 + Travel Stipend)
MiThe “Miss Sarah” Fellowship for Black Women Writers 2026: A Restful Space for Creative Growth
The “Miss Sarah” Fellowship for Black Women Writers invites applications for its 2026 cycle, dedicated to supporting Black women fiction writers. The fellowship offers an environment of rest, reflection, and creation — a rare opportunity for writers to nurture new ideas or bring ongoing projects closer to completion.
Deadline: 19th November 2025, 11:59 p.m. (EST)
Pay: $1,000 + Travel Stipend
About the Miss Sarah Fellowship
The selected writer will receive a ten-day solo residency in July, with the choice of staying at either:
- Firefly Creek, Trillium Arts’ peaceful rural apartment in Mars Hills, NC, or
- “Montford Manor,” a serene residence near downtown Asheville, NC, owned by E. Patrick Johnson and Stephen Lewis.
Applicants outside the U.S. are welcome, but travel costs will only be covered within the United States. The preferred residency dates are July 10–20, though alternate dates may be considered.
Application Requirements for the Miss Sarah Fellowship
Applicants must upload all the following materials (PDF or Word, max 10 MB each):
- CV or résumé (max 5 pages)
- Fellowship Proposal Statement (1 page): Describe your project, its context, and your goals for the residency.
- Why Trillium Arts? (1 page): Explain how this fellowship will benefit your creative work.
- Letter of recommendation: Submitted separately by a recommender who specifically addresses your writing project. See letter details here.
- Writing Sample:
- 10–15 pages (in one PDF)
- Double-spaced, 12-point font, one-inch margins
- Work-in-progress preferred
- English language only
- MA/MFA theses, PhD dissertations, and edited collections are ineligible
Each file must include the applicant’s name and project title at the top of every page.
Why It Matters
The “Miss Sarah” Fellowship stands as a vital space for Black women writers to create without interruption, honoring the need for rest and artistic freedom. Its emphasis on reflection mirrors the conversations shared in Ten Brilliant Poets Discuss Their Writing Philosophies, where authors explore the meaning of persistence, vulnerability, and renewal in creative practice.
This fellowship recognizes that writing thrives in stillness — a stillness earned and protected.
Key Takeaways
- Open to Black women fiction writers
- Includes a ten-day residency, $1,000 award, and U.S. travel stipend
- Deadline: November 19, 2025
- Residency: July 2026 (flexible dates possible)
