The Village Voice application Page 2
The Mary Wright Writing Fellowship
The Mary Wright Writing Fellowship was established to foster the work of aspiring writers and
editors of color. The fellowship is designed for talented and dedicated young journalists who are
familiar with The Village Voice and committed to its editorial mission. Under the direct
supervision of a Voice senior editor or staff writer, writing fellows research, report, and write
articles with an eye toward publication in the Voice. Graduates of the fellowship program have
gone on to become Voice staff writers, as well as reporters and editors at several other prestigious
publications.
The fellowship lasts for four months, typically begins in January, May/June, or September, and
carries a $150 per week stipend. It can be renewed, though renewals are rare. Fellows typically
must commit to at least a half-time weekly schedule, to be arranged with the fellowship
coordinator. Fellows work closely with a senior editor or writer developing long-range editorial
projects as well as short-term projects. The work includes developing story ideas, covering
events, reporting, conducting research, and writing. Fellows may also be expected to complete
basic editorial tasks.
The Voice asks applicants for the fellowship to complete the basic internship application. In
addition, applicants should submit a brief letter describing the kind of reporting and writing the
applicant would like to pursue during the fellowship. The description can be broad outlining the
areas the applicant would like to cover but it can be worthwhile to propose specific story ideas,
with an indication of the stories' timeliness and interest for Voice readers. It would be preferable
if you would send 3 writing samples. Some preference is given to those who have completed
Voice internships and others who are familiar with the Voice's editorial organization and needs.
