Emerging Writer Fellowship Submission for Prose

Open to fiction or creative nonfiction

List of Application Materials Needed

• Proposal for manuscript-in-progress
• Statement of need
• Manuscript sample
• CV
• Recommendation letters (2)

Submission Guidelines 

Manuscripts may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30, 2026. The submission is free. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline. 

• Applicant may apply only once per submission cycle, regardless of genre.
• Academic Nonfiction, Translations, Graphic Narratives, Children’s Literature and Young People’s Literature (including Middle Grade and Young Adult), and Film or Play Scripts are not eligible.
• Only online submissions are accepted through our submission manager, Submittable. Applicants may verify the receipt of their manuscripts by logging into Submittable.
• Miami Book Fair assumes no responsibility for manuscripts not received due to user error. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application early.
• There is no fee to apply.
• Aside from the Submittable Cover Page, there should be no identifying information in any of the submitted materials.

Formatting Guidelines 

The following materials must be submitted (acceptable files are PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF). There should be no identifying information in any of these materials. Any applications that do not comply with this strict formatting will be immediately disqualified. Application file must include:

• Proposal to complete a manuscript-in-progress that can be feasibly completed within the yearlong fellowship (not to exceed one single-spaced page). You must include a synopsis of your project. Name the document [PROPOSAL_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Proposal_Fiction_Beloved) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).
• Statement of need: Tell us why it is important that you receive this fellowship now. Name the document [STATEMENT_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Statement_Fiction_Beloved).
• Sample of manuscript-in-progress (paginated, include title of manuscript in header). Prose should be 50-70 pages in Times New Roman, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Name the document [GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE].doc (example: Fiction_Beloved.doc)
• CV (education, professional experience, full publication list, honors and awards, etc.). Name the document [LASTNAME]_[FIRSTNAME]_CV.doc (example: Smith_Jane_CV.doc) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).

Applicant must also request that two (2) recommendation letters be submitted online within seven (7) calendar days after the application deadline.

• Letters of recommendations should include information relevant to writing, dedication, any relevant strengths, and skills regarding the applicant’s writing, work ethic, ability to engage with the community, and optimize the opportunity.
• Letters of recommendations may be submitted from college professors, mentors, and anyone who can speak for the applicant’s writing, work ethic, skills, and community involvement.
• Applicants should provide this link to recommenders so they can directly upload their recommendation letter by the deadline: https://mdc.formstack.com/forms/emerging_writer_fellowships_letter_of_recommendations

Miami Book Fair’s Fellowship contests adhere to the Council of Literary Magazines & Presses Contest Code of Ethics as stated below.     

“CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.”     

The Miami Book Fair utilizes a double blind review process. Screeners do not know the names of the authors of the submissions they review and each entry is read twice by two different screeners at three levels before the finalists are forwarded to judge for the Fellowship.     

The screeners are well-qualified to review the manuscripts. Each must demonstrate a professional background in writing and editing. Miami Book Fair also reviews screeners’ credentials and prefers screeners who have participated as screeners and judges of other writing contests.      

The Miami Book Fair Emerging Writer Fellowship for Prose is supported by the Green Family Foundation, the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Tristarr LLC, Amazon Literary Partnership, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture.

We look forward to reading your work!

2026 Mindich Fellowship for Jewish Fiction

List of Application Materials Needed

• Proposal for manuscript-in-progress
• Statement of need
• Manuscript sample
• CV
• Recommendation letters (2)

Submission Guidelines 

Manuscripts may be submitted until 11:59 p.m. EST on April 30, 2026. The submission is free. No submissions will be accepted after the deadline. 

• Applicant may apply only once per submission cycle, regardless of genre.
• Academic Nonfiction, Translations, Graphic Narratives, Children’s Literature and Young People’s Literature (including Middle Grade and Young Adult), and Film or Play Scripts are not eligible.
• Only online submissions are accepted through our submission manager, Submittable. Applicants may verify the receipt of their manuscripts by logging into Submittable.
• Miami Book Fair assumes no responsibility for manuscripts not received due to user error. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application early.
• There is no fee to apply.
• Aside from the Submittable Cover Page, there should be no identifying information in any of the submitted materials.
• The fellowship program defines Jewish Fiction as a work of fiction in which Jewish life or culture plays a meaningful or central role in the narrative and character development. Jewish themes – related to Jewish cultural, religious, or historical contexts – should inform the plot, setting, identity, or interpersonal dynamics. All work will be considered based on its own merit and not on the author’s personal religious affiliation or cultural background. Please refer to Miami Dade College’s non-discrimination statement HERE.

Formatting Guidelines 

The following materials must be submitted (acceptable files are PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF). There should be no identifying information in any of these materials. Any applications that do not comply with this strict formatting will be immediately disqualified. Application file must include:

• Proposal to complete a manuscript-in-progress that can be feasibly completed within the yearlong fellowship (not to exceed one single-spaced page). You must include a synopsis of your project. Name the document [PROPOSAL_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Proposal_Fiction_Beloved) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).
• Statement of need: Tell us why it is important that you receive this fellowship now. Name the document [STATEMENT_GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE]. (example: Statement_Fiction_Beloved).
• Sample of manuscript-in-progress (paginated, include title of manuscript in header). Prose should be 50-70 pages in Times New Roman, double-spaced, with one-inch margins. Name the document [GENRE_MANUSCRIPT_TITLE].doc (example: Fiction_Beloved.doc)
• CV (education, professional experience, full publication list, honors and awards, etc.). Name the document [LASTNAME]_[FIRSTNAME]_CV.doc (example: Smith_Jane_CV.doc) Within the body of the document there should be no identifying information (this includes your name).

Applicant must also request that two (2) recommendation letters be submitted online within seven (7) calendar days after the application deadline.

• Letters of recommendations should include information relevant to writing, dedication, any relevant strengths, and skills regarding the applicant’s writing, work ethic, ability to engage with the community, and optimize the opportunity.
• Letters of recommendations may be submitted from college professors, mentors, and anyone who can speak for the applicant’s writing, work ethic, skills, and community involvement.
• Applicants should provide this link to recommenders so they can directly upload their recommendation letter by the deadline: https://mdc.formstack.com/forms/emerging_writer_fellowships_letter_of_recommendations

Miami Book Fair’s Fellowship contests adhere to the Council of Literary Magazines & Presses Contest Code of Ethics as stated below.

“CLMP’s community of independent literary publishers believes that ethical contests serve our shared goal: to connect writers and readers by publishing exceptional writing. We believe that intent to act ethically, clarity of guidelines, and transparency of process form the foundation of an ethical contest. To that end, we agree to 1) conduct our contests as ethically as possible and to address any unethical behavior on the part of our readers, judges, or editors; 2) to provide clear and specific contest guidelines—defining conflict of interest for all parties involved; and 3) to make the mechanics of our selection process available to the public. This Code recognizes that different contest models produce different results, but that each model can be run ethically. We have adopted this Code to reinforce our integrity and dedication as a publishing community and to ensure that our contests contribute to a vibrant literary heritage.”

The Miami Book Fair utilizes a double blind review process. Screeners do not know the names of the authors of the submissions they review and each entry is read twice by two different screeners at three levels before the finalists are forwarded to judge for the Fellowship.

The screeners are well-qualified to review the manuscripts. Each must demonstrate a professional background in writing and editing. Miami Book Fair also reviews screeners’ credentials and prefers screeners who have participated as screeners and judges of other writing contests.

The Miami Book Fair Mindich Fellowship for Jewish Fiction is supported by The Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Jewish Stories.

We look forward to reading your work!