How to Compete for a Grant

The Sherwood Anderson Foundation has been helping developing writers since 1988 in order to honor, preserve, and celebrate the memory and literary work of Sherwood Anderson, American realist of the first half of the twentieth century.

The amount of the award each year depends on a number of factors, including the investment market. The 2009 award was $15,000. Applications must arrive postmarked no later than April 1 of each year. The winner will be announced on or before the following September 1 on this Web site. If the applications are not deemed to have high literary merit, no award will be made in that year.

Application requirements:

• You should have published no more than two books of fiction. These may be one novel and one book of short stories but not more than two altogether. These must have been published by respected literary journals and/or trade or university publishers.
• Send three of your best examples from these -- book chapters, entire published books or individual short stories.
• Send a resume that details your education and gives a complete bibliography of your publications.
• Include a cover letter that provides a detailed history of your writing experience and your plans for future writing projects.
• Include a valid, active email address.
• Self-published works of fiction or short stories do not qualify.
• Poetry is not accepted.
• Submissions must be in English.
• Include an application fee of $50 made payable to: Sherwood Anderson Foundation
  This should be placed in a clearly labeled envelope and attached by a paper clip to the front of your application cover letter.

• Mail your complete application to:
  Sherwood Anderson Foundation
  C/O David M. Spear
  264 Tobacco Road
  Madison, N.C. 27025

No email applications will be accepted.
No manuscripts or books will be returned.