Edith Wharton Writing Residency — Fellowship

The Edith Wharton Writing Residency is run by The Mount, Edith Wharton’s former home in Lenox, Massachusetts, in partnership with Straw Dog Writers Guild. Each year it gives nine emerging poets, fiction writers and creative nonfiction writers one week of writing time there in March.

The 2027 cohort is split across three weeks from March 7 to 27. Applications for 2027 closed on October 1, 2026; the page invites writers to apply in the next round.

Benefits & funding

A $500 stipend.
Travel costs reimbursed up to $250.
Lodging at a neighboring inn in the Berkshires.
A dedicated workspace at The Mount.

Eligibility

Emerging writers of creative nonfiction, fiction or poetry.
No more than one published book or chapbook in any genre by the start of the residency; self-published works do not count.
Writers with books in another field or discipline who still consider themselves emerging can explain this in the application.
The page sets no degree, age, nationality, residence or gender requirement.

Can you apply?

Check who can apply

No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.

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Application process

1
Prepare a double-spaced, 12-point proposal: a one-page biography, a one-page statement of purpose, and a writing sample of up to ten pages (poets: up to five poems).
2
Submit the online form on the program page while the round is open; it closes at the deadline or once 300 applications arrive, whichever comes first.
3
Pay the $25 application fee, waived for members of The Mount or Straw Dog Writers Guild and in cases of financial hardship.

Program timeline

Applications opened.
September 1, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Application deadline.
October 1, 2026, 5:00 p.m. (or at 300 applications)
Residents and finalists announced.
December 15, 2026
Three one-week residency sessions.
March 7–27, 2027