The English Department and Writing Programs offer prizes for writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry as well as fellowships supporting summer projects and graduate study.  We encourage you to apply for these awards.

Ann duCille, Henry Abelove, Anne Greene

English Department and Writing Programs Prize Committee 2008-09

APPLICATION PROCESS

You will find descriptions of the prizes and fellowships below.

To apply for the Cole, Connelly, Horgan, Murphy, Reed, and Wesleyan Fiction prizes, please submit:

1. A cover sheet that includes:

   • the name of prize for which you are applying

   • the title of your submission

   • your name, class year, & Wes ID number

   • your contact Information: email address, cell phone number, post office box number.

    

2. One copy of the piece of writing you are submitting:

   • the submission must be a clean copy, double-spaced.

   • You may submit no more than two pieces (a total of 30 pages together) for each prize.

   • If appropriate, you may submit the same piece for more than one prize

   • Your work will not be returned

Unless otherwise indicated, all entries are due on the Wednesday following spring break, March 25, 2009 by 4:00 PM. 

 Deliver your submission to:

            English Department Office, Room 204

            294 High Street (Downey House)

 Winners will be announced in early May.

Applicants for Sonnenblick, Olin, and Winchester awards should read the detailed instruction sheets that follow.

WRITING PRIZES

COLE PRIZE:  Established through the gift of George Henry Walker '81 in the memory of Charles Edward Cole.  For the two first-year students who show the greatest ability in fiction or non-fiction writing.

HERBERT LEE CONNELLY PRIZE:  Given in 1980 by Mabel Wells Connelly in the name of her husband, member of the class of 1909, and Alumni Secretary 1924-56. Supplemented by friends, relatives, and sons, Hugh Wells and Theodore Sample '48, the fund provides income to be awarded annually to a deserving undergraduate who demonstrates an interest in English literature and an unusual ability in non-fiction writing.

HORGAN PRIZE:  Awarded by the Department of English in memory of Paul Horgan, former Professor and Writer in Residence.  Awarded to the student who has written the best short story of the year.

GERALDINE J. MURPHY PRIZE:  Established in memory of Geraldine J. Murphy (1920-1990), Professor of English at Wesleyan. She was the first woman hired as a full-time instructor at Wesleyan (1957), the first woman promoted to a tenured position, and the first woman promoted to the title of full professor.  The prize is endowed by alumni of the Wesleyan Master of Arts in Teaching program.  Awarded to a student who has written an outstanding critical essay that focuses on short fiction or novels.

SOPHIE REED PRIZE:  Established in 1968 by Leon Reed and his sons, S. Chadwick '41, and Dr. Victor Reed, in memory of Mrs. Sophie Reed, for the best poem or group of poems.

WESLEYAN FICTION AWARD:  Funded by a gift from Norman Mailer to the Wesleyan Writing Programs, this award recognizes an outstanding piece of fiction written by a Wesleyan student.

NEW: SARAH HANNAH PRIZE: Watch for information about this new prize in poetry, offered in memory of Sarah Hannah, class of 1988, in association with the Academy of American Poets.

FELLOWSHIPS

OLIN FELLOWSHIPS:  Founded in 1854 by the mother of Stephen Olin, President 1839-41 and 1842-51.  Later increased by gifts of Stephen Henry Olin, Class of 1866 and Acting President 1922-23, and his wife.  Awarded in recognition of achievement in English.  To support independent research or creative writing.  The fellowships are to be used for work in English outside the Wesleyan course structure. Suitable projects may include, for example, study in an academic program, research, training in research methods, or sustained work on a piece of writing.  Please see the information sheet that follows.

 ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD:  Established by the family of the late Annie Sonnenblick '80.  The award, awarded by the Director of Writing Programs, provides financial support for a junior who wishes to undertake an independent writing project during the summer between junior and senior years. Please see the information sheet that follows.

 WINCHESTER FELLOWSHIPS:  Established in 1938, in memory of Professor Caleb Thomas Winchester, by his widow.  For graduating seniors and recent graduates, to support graduate work in literature or writing.  Please see the information sheet that follows.

 OTHER AWARDS OF INTEREST TO WRITERS

 WESLEYAN WRITERS CONFERENCE SCHOLARSHIPS:  Several scholarships are available to students who wish to attend the one-week Wesleyan Writers Conference, June 14^th  - 19^th, 2009.  Applications should include of a letter explaining the applicant’s experience and interests and a substantial sample of work in one genre: fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.  Applications are due March 25,  2009.  For information, see www.wesleyan.edu/writers or contact Anne Greene, agreene@wesleyan.edu.  Brochures are available at Downey House, room 207. The conference also offers scholarships for international students. Contact Anne Greene for details.

 DEPARTMENT AWARDS

(Candidates are nominated by members of the faculty)

CAMP PRIZE:  Established in 1905 by the Board of Trustees in memory of Samuel T. Camp, Trustee 1880-1903.  For excellence in English Literature.  No application necessary.  Awarded to the outstanding senior English major by vote of the department.

DORCHESTER PRIZE:  Established through the gift of Daniel Dorchester IV, Class of 1874.  Awarded for best thesis submitted to the English Department.  Candidates are nominated by their thesis advisors.

 

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AN INVITATION TO JUNIORS

Wesleyan Writing Program’s

ANNIE SONNENBLICK WRITING AWARD

Applications due March 25, 2009

We welcome applications for the Annie Sonnenblick Writing Award, given annually to a member of the junior class who shows unusual promise in creative writing.

 The Sonnenblick family has established this award in memory of Annie Sonnenblick, a member of the Wesleyan class of 1980, who took great pleasure in literature and the creative arts.  The winner will be a student whose interests and talents reflect Annie Sonnenblick’s spirit.

 Applicants should propose a writing project to be completed during the summer between their junior and senior years.  Previous winners have written short fiction, collections of poetry, and nonfiction projects such as biographical sketches and studies of places.  The award provides funding of up to $1,500 to support the project and the writer’s summer living expenses.  The completed project is due on the first day of the fall semester.

To Apply for this Writing Award:

Submit four neatly packaged copies of the following material, each pack with a cover sheet:

 1)  a cover sheet giving your name, campus box number, cell phone number, and

email address;

2)  a personal statement introducing yourself and explaining your background and interests;

3)  a description of the writing project you will undertake, including brief but

     specific comments about writers whose works are important to you;

4)  a budget estimating the support you will need;

5)  samples of your writing;

6)  your resume;

7)  a copy of your transcript (either the official or portfolio version); and

8)  names of one or two references with their email addresses and telephone numbers.

Applications are due at Anne Greene’s office, Downey House, room 207, by March 25, 2009 at 4:00 PM.   Write agreene@wesleyan.edu for more information.

Deliver applications to:

Anne Greene, Director of Writing Programs

294 High Street

Downey House, room 207

__________________________________________________________________________

WINCHESTER FELLOWSHIPS

The English Department awards Winchester Fellowships for graduate work in writing.  The Fellowship is particularly intended to support work for the Ph.D. You must already be admitted to a graduate program in order to receive a fellowship.  The fellowship and the application procedure aredescribed below.  The deadline of March 25, 2009 is firm.  All material, including letters of recommendation, should be in by that date.

Winchester awards will be made to the same person no more than twice, except in unusual circumstances

The Winchester award is intended to be used as a substantial supplement to fellowships, teaching assistantships, and the like, or to enable students to undertake research or travel.

Policy:  The Department will consider your academic achievement at Wesleyan, your potential for achievement in graduate school, and your financial need.  These three considerations may not be applied with equal weight in every case, but all three will have some bearing on the award.

 Procedure:  If you wish to apply for a Winchester Fellowship, please submit to the English Department office an application which includes:

• a letter describing how you plan to use the fellowship

• a copy of your Wesleyan transcript and transcript(s) for any graduate work you have completed

• a financial statement, listing expenses and income (other fellowships, job, savings, etc.)  Please request a specific amount from the Winchester Committee.  Most awards are in the $2,000--$2,500 range.

• the names of two people who have agreed to supply letters of recommendation by the deadline below.  If you are a senior or have not begun graduate school, these should be members of the English department.  If you are already in graduate school, at least one letter must be from a member of your graduate department.

                      APPLICATION DEADLINE:   MARCH 25, 2009, 4:00 PM

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OLIN FELLOWSHIPS

 Olin Fellowships are awarded to support independent research or creative writing.  The Fellowships are to be used for work in English outside the Wesleyan course structure.  Such work may consist of research (in preparation for your thesis, for example) or training in research methods, study in an academic program, or creative writing.

 Olin Fellowships are available to prospective sophomores, juniors, and seniors.  Please note: current seniors are not eligible.  Fellowships will be awarded on the basis of your project’s merit, your ability to carry it out, and in recognition of both promise and achievement in English studies.  Your financial need will be a factor although it is not the primary consideration.

·         Awards will be announced in early May.

·         A report on your Olin project is due on the first day of classes in September.

·         Applications must include a copy of the Olin Fellowship application form, attached.

·         Selected Olin applications from previous years are on file at the English Department Office.  You are welcome to inspect them. 

·         Return the completed application the English Department office, Room 204, 294 High Street, by 4:00 PM, March 25, 2009.

Olin Fellowship Application 2009