Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

GLCA New Writers Award

Overview: A national literary award program that has been recognizing promising young authors since 1970. Now in its 56th year (as of 2026), the award confers recognition on writers who have published a first volume in one of three genres: Poetry, Fiction, and Creative Non-Fiction.

Geographic Scope: National (open to all writers)

Focus Areas:

  • Poetry

  • Fiction

  • Creative Non-Fiction
  • Eligibility: Writers who have published a first volume in one of the three genres

    What Winners Receive:

  • Recognition and honor

  • Invitations to visit GLCA member colleges

  • Opportunities to give public readings

  • Meetings with students and faculty members

  • Discussion of technique and creativity in the writing process

  • Book signings and engagement with college and community audiences
  • Award Structure: Three separate awards given annually—one for Poetry, one for Fiction, and one for Creative Non-Fiction

    Judges: Faculty members of creative writing and literature from GLCA's member colleges

    Contact Information:

  • Colleen Monahan Smith ([email protected])

  • Gregory Wegner, Director of Program Development ([email protected])

  • GLCA Office: 535 West William, Suite 301, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

  • Phone: +1.734.661.2350
  • Background: The New Writers Award has been awarding recognition to promising young authors since 1970. Past winners have included:

  • 2025: Sarah Ghazal Ali (Poetry), Jessica Elisheva Emerson (Fiction), KB Brookins (Creative Non-Fiction)

  • 2023: James Fujinami Moore (Poetry), Tsering Yangzom Lama (Fiction), Lars Horn (Creative Non-Fiction)

  • 2022: Sumita Chakraborty (Poetry), Michael X. Wang (Fiction), Melissa Valentine (Creative Non-Fiction)

  • 2021: Marianne Chan (Poetry), Gabriel Bump (Fiction), Nina Boutsikaris (Creative Non-Fiction)

  • 2020: Aaron Coleman (Poetry), Eric Schlich (Fiction), Sarah Viren (Creative Non-Fiction)

  • 2019: Marcelo Hernandez Castillo (Poetry), Lesley Nneka Arimah (Fiction), Dawn Davies (Creative Non-Fiction)
  • Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    creative-writinghumanities

    Categories

    Browse similar grants by category

    Related Grants

    Similar grants from this funder and related organizations

    Ready to apply for GLCA New Writers Award?

    Grantable helps you assess fit, draft narratives, and track deadlines — so you can submit stronger applications, faster.