JULY 7 DL: 2008-2009 T&W Fellowship Applications

Teachers & Writers Collaborative (T&W) announces the second T&W Fellowships, which will be awarded for 2008–2009 to two early-career writers. The T&W Fellowships are made possible by the generous support of the EDWARD AND SALLY VAN LIER FUND in The New York Community Trust. Teachers & Writers Collaborative: T&W provides and advocates for literary arts education by supporting writers and teachers in developing and implementing strategies to enhance students’ interest in and love of literature and writing. Since 1967, more than 1,500 T&W writers have taught writing residencies in New York City public schools, working in partnership with teachers to implement innovative writing programs in the classroom. Approximately 700,000 students have participated in our programs, and T&W has collaborated with more than 25,000 teachers. T&W publishes books about the teaching of writing and the quarterly Teachers & Writers magazine. The Center for Imaginative Writing, housed in T&W’s office in Manhattan’s Garment District, offers a library of resources on teaching and writing and is the site of readings, workshops, and other educational and literary events.

The Fellowship: The T&W Fellowship period is October 1, 2008, to May 31, 2009. During that time, T&W Fellows will receive:
~ a $10,000 stipend
~ Office space and resources (e.g., computer, supplies) at T&W
~ Opportunities to meet with experienced professionals from publishing, literary arts, theater, or other fields related to the Fellow’s work
~ Exposure to all aspects of T&W’s work, including writing residencies, publications, and the 2020 Visions reading series
~ The 2008–2009 Fellows will work together to plan the calendar year 2009 2020 Visions reading series. Events in this series pair an established poet, fiction writer, or other author with an emerging writer working in the same genre. In addition, each Fellow will focus on one of the two following projects:

T&W Curricular Materials: T&W’s catalog of more than eighty books and four decades of periodicals offer a wealth of valuable curricular materials related to teaching creative writing. Working within a framework provided by T&W staff, one of the Fellows will focus on reviewing existing resources to select those that will be included in a curricular resources section on the T&W website. This work will involve updating materials as needed to ensure their relevance to current educational standards. In addition, this Fellow will provide material for the online T&W Discussion Group.

T&W Communications: One of the Fellows will focus on developing and editing material for Teachers & Writers magazine and the T&W website. Such materials could include, but are not limited to, interviews with noted authors, articles about T&W’s residency programs, how-to materials for teachers and for writers working in K–12 classrooms, and analytical pieces about issues in the creative writing field and classroom.In addition to the above projects, Fellows are expected to make progress on their own writing projects during the Fellowship period. Each Fellow must spend a minimum of 15 hours per week at T&W during regular business hours (8 AM–6 PM, Monday–Friday) , in addition to participating in evening events such as 2020 Visions readings. Fellows will have access to the T&W office at all times for use in working on their own writing, as well as their T&W assignments.

Eligibility and Application: Applicants for T&W Fellowships must:

~ Be age 30 or younger at the beginning of the Fellowship period
~ Live in New York City or be able to plan an extended stay in the area (T&W cannot assist with finding housing for individuals who do not currently live in New York.)
~ Show exceptional artistic promise and a commitment to a writing career
~ Demonstrate financial need

Applications for the 2008–2009 T&W Fellowships must be RECEIVED by 5:00 PM (Eastern), Monday, July 7. The completed application form, a résumé/CV, and a writing sample of 10-25 pages may be mailed to:

T&W Fellowship
Teachers & Writers Collaborative
520 Eighth Ave., Ste. 2020
New York, NY 10018

The application, résumé/CV, and writing sample may be sent via e-mail to: fellowship@twc. org Applications will not be accepted via fax.

Please note: Applicants may be asked for a face-to-face or phone interview with T&W staff prior to selection of the 2008–2009 Fellows.

Questions: If you have questions about the T&W Fellowships, please call 212-691-6590 or e-mail fellowship@twc. org .