Postgraduate Fellowship

The heart of the Milton Center program is the postgraduate fellowship, which brings emerging writers of Christian commitment to the Center, where their primary goal is to complete their first book-length manuscript in fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction.

During their time at the Center, fellows will have a rich experience of literary and spiritual community; they will interact with the editorial staff of Image and the English department at Seattle Pacific University, participate in the Friday writer's workshop, and enjoy the lively literary scene in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Working with a Mentor

Each fellow will be matched up with a literary mentor. Mentors may include Seattle-area writers such as novelist Robert Clark, or they may choose a long-distance mentor, who may live anywhere in the U.S., and communicate via e-mail and phone. In the past, fellows have worked with writers such as Scott Cairns, Diane Glancy, Brenda Hillman, Janet Peery, Ingrid Hill, and Marilynne Robinson.

The stipend for the nine-month fellowship is $16,000.

Fellows will be given the space and time they need to complete their books, but they will also be asked to contribute some of their time and talent to the community. During their time in Seattle, fellows will teach courses in the English department at Seattle Pacific University and share in the ongoing work of Image and the Center.

Fellows represent the Milton Center and Image by giving readings, teaching workshops, and participating in conferences. Each Fellow will receive a stipend each month and is required to live in Seattle, Washington from September 15 through June 15.

Eligibility: All applicants must be U.S. citizens, or be able to show proof of permanent residency, unexpired temporary residency, or a current valid visa, and possess at least an M.A. in English Literature, Creative Writing, or the humanities, or an MFA in Creative Writing. Fellowships will be awarded to applicants who present a clearly formulated proposal, a high quality of writing, and a demonstrated ability to complete the project. Teaching experience would be an asset, but is not required.

Deadline: March 15 (postmark date)

We are currently also looking into the possibility that the fellows will be offered a residency of several weeks at a retreat center in a beautiful river canyon in the Hill Country of Texas. We will post news about this in the near future.

Click here to download the postgraduate fellowship application (Adobe PDF file)

For further information, click here to e-mail for information. Or call 206-281-2988.

To learn more about past Milton Center Fellows, click here.