Muses & Melanin Fellowship for BIPOC Creative Writers

Offer

Muses & Melanin Fellowship

A fully funded, seven-month professional-development career-accelerator practicum for talented California creative writers of color. The program is designed for writers who do not yet have a lengthy list of publishing credits, are not under a publishing contract, do not have literary agent representation, and do not hold a doctoral degree in English, Creative Writing, or Literature. A Bachelor's degree is required. For the 2026 cohort, applicants must be local to or able to commute to the San Francisco Bay Area, or attend two Weekend Intensives and the Graduation Ceremony & Reception in person at their own expense. Fellows complete professional development workshops, writing workshops, two Weekend Intensives, co-working sessions, and guest-speaker sessions. During the final four months, Fellows submit work to publications, conferences, residencies, and contests. Assignments are graded, and Fellows need a minimum grade of 90 to remain in the program and qualify for graduation. Graduates who meet attendance and assignment requirements receive a Literary Launch Package, including a Learn-to-Earn stipend.

Offer

Beginners' Launch

A virtual six-day professional-development course for talented beginning creative writers of color. Applications are open through August 14th. Admission is competitive. Applicants with more than six publication credits, a book published with a traditional publisher, or a literary grant of $3,000 or more are not eligible. Applicants must have five or fewer publication credits, have not won a major literary grant, fellowship, or residency, and must not hold a doctoral degree in Creative Writing, Literature, English, or an ancillary field. A Bachelor's degree is required. The program runs online in the Pacific time zone from September 21 through 26, 2026, Monday through Friday from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and Saturday from 10:30am to 5pm. Participants who complete the week successfully will be invited to share excerpts during the Saturday Public Reading.

Event

Beginners' Launch Saturday Session and Public Reading

Sat, 26 Sept

The final session of the virtual Beginners' Launch includes professional development programming from 10:30am to 5pm Pacific time. Participants who complete the week successfully are invited to share excerpts of their work during the Public Reading, which starts at 3pm.

Event

Muses & Melanin Beginners' Launch

Sat, 26 Sept

A virtual six-day professional-development course for beginning creative writers of color in any genre. Participants learn to professionalize their literary practices, prepare competitive funding and residency applications, and build publication credits. Admission is competitive. The course is intended for BIPOC writers with five or fewer publication credits who have not won a major literary grant, fellowship, or residency, do not hold a doctoral degree in a relevant field, and have a Bachelor's degree. Participants who complete the week successfully are invited to share excerpts during the Saturday Public Reading. The program runs online in the Pacific time zone.

Event

Beginners' Launch Public Reading

Sat, 26 Sept

A virtual public reading featuring excerpts from participants who successfully complete the Beginners' Launch.