Fishtrap Fellowships support emerging writers whose work shows promise of excellence. Applicants can be of any age, but must be in the early stages of their writing careers and will not have had the support needed to achieve major recognition for their work. We define “emerging writer” as someone who is not on faculty at a college or university, has not yet published a book by a literary publisher or under contract to a publisher for a book. Eligible applicants may have been published in magazines, chapbooks, zines, or in print and online literary journals.

Fishtrap accepts submissions in the genres of Poetry, Fiction, and Nonfiction/Memoir. In keeping with Fishtrap’s mission, “To cultivate clear thinking and good writing in and about the West,” applicants should live in the Western US or write about themes surrounding the West. Your cover letter and resumé will help us make that determination.

There is a $25 application fee.

Fishtrap Fellowship Judging Process

Fishtrap staff screen all Fellowship applications for eligibility then send the writing samples to our Preliminary Judges, all former Fishtrap Fellows who know the importance of this opportunity to emerging writers. They do not see your name or resume, just your writing sample. A group of 12-15 Finalists are then sent to our Fellowship Judge for final selection. The 2025 Fishtrap Fellowship Judge is Adam Davis, Executive Director of Oregon Humanities.

Notifications for the 2025 Fellowship awards will arrive by February 25, 2025.