Grants and fellowships for poetry and short fiction abound.
Money for poets and writers of short fiction comes in many forms: grants, fellowships, contest prizes, and payment by publications that publish such works. The payouts can be small or quite large. The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), for example, gives out many $25,000 fellowships to poets to cover their living expenses and allow them to concentrate on their art. Other organizations focus on very specific kinds of poetry or stories.
About Grants and Fellowships
Generally, the terms "grant" and "fellowship" are used interchangeably. Organizations give both to help support writers they think are talented. The grantors want to keep authors writing rather than having to support themselves through day jobs. There are many poetry and short story grants and fellowships listed, both by the NEA and by websites such as "Poets and Writers" and "Award Annals." Frequently, since grants and fellowships are supposed to help support a writer, they are larger than many prizes. Many of the NEA fellowships for literature, for example, are for $25,000. The NEA alternates between fellowships for poetry and fellowships for prose. Entries must be made through the federal grant site: grants.gov. Other grants having the same purpose come from private organizations such as the Christopher Isherwood Foundation.
Specific Grants and Fellowships
Some grants and fellowships are awarded by organizations that have a specific focus beyond art. The "Poets and Writers" website, for example, lists a grant by Human Rights Watch for poets and fiction writers who have been victims of political oppression. These, too, are designed to help writers keep writing. Many state arts commissions also offer grants for writers from those states.
Contest Prizes
"Poets and Writers" lists some 64 contests for poetry and short fiction, with prizes ranging from a few hundred dollars to thousands. These are sponsored largely by publications such as "The Atlantic." Each contest has its own rules and requirements.
Publication
"The New Yorker" is one of the most prestigious magazines that publishes poems and fiction. "Good Housekeeping" also publishes short stories. Both pay very well. But besides the major publications, there are also many literary journals that can be found on websites such as "LitLine," which lists dozens. Not all pay writers, however. A listing of publications and what they pay can be found in hard copy in "Writer's Market." An online version requires membership.
Online
Don't forget online publications. "Every Writer's Resource" publishes a list with lots of information, including whether a publication takes new writers. "News Pages" has a similar list for writers (see Resources).
