the heaf and the friends award
The Halls Emerging Artist Fellowship (the HEAF) is awarded to a graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Creative Writing MFA program who has not had a book of fiction, poetry or other creative work published or accepted for publication as of the postmark date of application. The Halls Emerging Artist Fellowship recipient must reside in Madison during the fellowship year and will receive the same stipend and benefits and have the same teaching, reading and other responsibilities as provided here with respect to the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing's other fiction and poetry fellows. There may also be additional responsibilities unique to this fellowship.
The Friends of Creative Writing Award (the Friends Award), originally established by a generous gift by an anonymous donor, provides funds to a graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Creative Writing MFA program who has not had a book of fiction, poetry or other creative work published or accepted for publication as of the postmark date of application. The Friends of Creative Writing Award recipient is not subject to the residency requirements nor the teaching and additional responsibilities of the HEAF. The Friends Award is awarded intermittently, as funds permit.
Applications for the HEAF
The recipient of the HEAF will be determined by an outside judge who publishes both fiction and poetry. The name of the judge will be withheld until the HEAF has been determined. Applications should arrive during the month of February.
To apply for the HEAF, please do the following:
- send a writing sample consisting of either 10 pages of poetry (single-spaced and stapled with no more than one poem per page, new poems starting on new pages) or fiction (one short story or a novel excerpt not to exceed 30 pages, double-spaced and stapled). Your name must not appear anywhere on your manuscript. While previously published work may be submitted, your manuscript must in no way indicate that your work has been published.
- send a single cover sheet listing your name, address, phone number, email address and the title(s) of your writing sample, as well as the genre in which you are applying
- include a stamped self-addressed envelope for our judge's decision
- write HEAF in a prominent place on the front of your outside envelope
There is no application fee for the HEAF. You need not provide names of recommenders or letters of recommendation.
You are not eligible for the HEAF if you previously received and accepted any fellowship from the Wisconsin Institute for Creative Writing. Past recipients of the Friends Award MAY apply for the HEAF.
For additional information about the application procedure, see the Previous Book and Writing Sample sections of the Frequently Asked Questions. The Eligibility and Selection sections of the FAQs do not apply.
The Halls Emerging Artist Fellow will be notified by May 1st. We will post the name of the recipient as soon as possible here.
The Institute may decline to give the HEAF or the Friends award in any year as it deems appropriate. If you have any questions not answered here or want more information, contact the Institute Director at institutemail@english.wisc.edu.