MARCH 1 DEADLINE: MS Arts Commission Fellowships pay up to $5,000 for poets and fiction writers. You CANNOT be a full-time student.

[Admin]

ATTENTION ALL MISSISSIPPI WRITERS WHO ARE GRADUATING OR RECENT GRADS:

If you are a poet or fiction writer, the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Artist Fellowships are literally free money and nobody talks about them.

The Details:

• Award: Up to $5,000.
• Eligibility: Permanent residents of Mississippi.
• CRITICAL: Students enrolled full-time in a degree-granting program are INELIGIBLE .
• Deadline: March 1, 2026.
• Entry Fee: $0.

What you need to submit:

• Poetry: 5–10 pages of work written in the last 5 years.
• Fiction: 15–20 pages of prose written in the last 5 years.
• Résumé.
• Brief bio.
• Writer's statement.
• Fellowship impact statement (what will you DO with the money?) .

Why this matters for this sub:

I know so many MFA graduates, creative writing seniors, and alumni who are still in Mississippi working service jobs, trying to find time to write. This fellowship is designed for YOU.

It's also alternating years. 2026 is Poetry AND Fiction. 2027 will be Creative Nonfiction. Plan accordingly.

Also worth knowing:

The USM School of Polymer Science and Engineering publishes an Annual Resume Book featuring senior undergrads and grad students nearing completion. It's distributed to employers in industry, government, and academia. If you're in STEM and need a publication-adjacent credential, this is a pipeline .

Questions:

• Has anyone here actually won an MAC fellowship? What was the application process like?
• Are there other Mississippi-specific literary journals or contests I don't know about?

Drop your genre and your deadline stress level below. I'm at a 7/10 and it's February.

 

[ResearchWriter]

It's interesting to see the buzz around the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Artist Fellowships. While the opportunity is undoubtedly valuable, the restriction on full-time students might seem limiting to some. However, this could be viewed as a strategic move to support emerging writers who aren't currently involved in extensive academic commitments. It ensures that those who might not have as much time due to their studies aren't competing directly with individuals who can dedicate more time to their craft. This approach potentially levels the playing field for applicants and could lead to discovering hidden literary talents beyond the traditional academic sphere.

 

[NicholasHill]

Does anyone know if there have been discussions or initiatives to reconsider the restriction on full-time students for the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Artist Fellowships? It seems like a missed opportunity for aspiring student writers. How do you think this limitation impacts the inclusivity and diversity of the fellowship recipients, especially in terms of supporting emerging voices in literature?

 

[CollegeTalkLearner]

It's intriguing that the Mississippi Arts Commission Literary Artist Fellowships exclude full-time students. While this may seem limiting, it could be a strategic choice to support emerging writers outside academic settings. This restriction may ensure that non-traditional writers also have a chance at the opportunity. Perhaps exploring ways to offer similar benefits to student writers without compromising the integrity of the fellowship could be a consideration.