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The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers

The deadline for the 2010 Fellowship applications has passed. Read about the winner here.

Purpose

Named in honor of Carson's parents, The Marguerite and Lamar Smith Fellowship for Writers was inspired by McCullers’ experience at the Breadloaf Writer's Conference in Vermont and, especially, the Yaddo Arts Colony in Saratoga Springs, New York. To honor the contribution of these writers’ residences to McCullers’ work, the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians awards fellowships for writers to spend time in McCullers' childhood home in Columbus, Georgia. The fellowships are intended to afford the writers in residence uninterrupted time to dedicate to their work, free from the distractions of daily life and other professional responsibilities.

Description and details

The Marguerite and Lamar Fellowship for Writers will be offered for the fall semester of 2010, the fellowship to begin the first of September and to end the first of December. During this period of time, the Smith/McCullers Fellow will reside in a spacious private apartment in Carson McCullers' childhood home, the Smith-McCullers House. The Fellow will be provided with a stipend of $5000 to cover costs of transportation, food and other incidentals. Fellowship recipients will be required to introduce or advance their work through reading or workshop/forum presentations. The Fellow will work with the McCullers Center Director to plan a presentation near the end of the residency.

The Smith-McCullers House is located on a quiet residential street in a historic neighborhood in Columbus, Georgia. The Fellow will reside in a spacious private apartment occupying one-half of the Smith-McCullers House. The remainder of the house serves as the Smith-McCullers house Museum and as the offices for the Carson McCullers Center for Writers and Musicians. The apartment is comprised of a large living/writing/sleeping room, a private bathroom, and a private entrance, allowing Fellows to work without interruption or disturbance by the Center and Museum. The kitchen is shared by the Fellow and the Center, but the Center uses the kitchen only for occasional special events. The apartment is adequately furnished; Fellows need bring only their personal belongings. The Carson McCullers Center provides utilities (except for long distance telephone service), general property maintenance, a computer and online service. Fellows are welcome, of course, to bring their own computers if they prefer. Since public transportation in the Columbus area leaves something to be desired, an automobile would prove very useful; however, there are grocery stores, post offices, and other services within walking distance, so an automobile is not an absolute necessity. A spouse or companion is welcome, but children and pets will not be allowed.

Past fellows:

• 2006 -- Melanie Fallon
• 2007 -- Mylene Dressler
• 2008 -- Kelly Hayes-Raitt
• 2009 -- Selena Anderson

Deadline

April 1, 2010. All entries must be mailed and postmarked on or before April 1, 2010. Electronic submissions will not be accepted.

Application

I. Compile a packet of the following information:

• your contact information, making sure to include name, mailing address, e-mail address, and telephone number;
• your latest curriculum vitae, making sure to include fellowships, scholarships, prizes, or other honors you have received;
• a writing sample of no more than 20 pages;
• written responses to the following questions:
  • Why do you feel that you would be a suitable Smith/McCullers Fellow?
  • Describe the nature and extent of the work you would expect to accomplish during a three month residence in Columbus.

Make three copies of the materials specified above and send them to:

You may also include any book or books that you have published. They will be returned.

II. Also, we require two references. Print out this recommendation form, send to two people of your choosing, and have them mail the completed forms directly to the McCullers Center.

All applications must be postmarked on or before April 1.

All applications will be acknowledged.

Except in the case of published works, application materials will not be returned.

There is no application fee.

All applicants will receive notification of our receipt of application.

Direct questions to:

Announcement of Winner: June 1. All applicants will receive letters announcing the winner.