Nonfiction & Memoir Application Guidelines

Please review these details before applying

Application Guidelines

  • Deadline for receipt of application/submission: before midnight PST, April 28, 2021
  • Applicants, including past participants, should submit a sample of their best, unpublished prose.
  • Writing sample submission ms. may consist of a story (or stories), essay(s) or chapter(s). Book chapters must include a one-page synopsis of the whole book. (Add to the end of ms.) 
  • If you have previously applied to our workshop, please do not apply or bring for consideration the exact same material. You may use previously submitted material that has been revised.
  • Please do not submit previously published material (print or online). It is acceptable, however, to send work currently under submission.
  • Submission ms. must be typed, double-spaced and 12 pt. On the first page of the manuscript, applicants must provide the following:
    • Top left side of page: Indicate application program (Nonfiction or Memoir), and indicate what you are submitting (nonfiction book chapter(s), memoir book chapter(s), nonfiction essay, or personal memoir essay.)
    • Top center of page: Word count for submitted manuscript. (Submission ms., excluding synopsis, must be less than 5,000 words.)
    • Top right side of page: Your name in the upper right-hand corner of each page. (Please use your actual name, not the name you write under.)
  • Attach a digital file (Word.doc or PDF) of your submission ms. to the online application form. Digital files will be deleted after workshops.
  • Those who require financial aid to attend should request it in the application form. Please see our Financial Aid page for more information.
  • A $40 reading fee will be due with submission.
    • Pay online with a credit card or PayPal. (Online payments subject to a 3.25% service fee.)
    • Or pay with a check payable to Community of Writers.

Mail to: Community of Writers – Nonfiction/Memoir
PO Box 1416
Nevada City, CA 95959

  • Once you complete the online form, you will receive an email confirmation.
  • Notification of acceptance by June 10, 2021
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