The Shenandoah Fellowship for Emerging Editors

About the Fellowship#

The submission window for the Shenandoah Fellowship for Emerging Editors will be open starting March 15, 2024 and will stay open until new fellows are chosen. About the fellowship: In order for substantive change to happen in the predominantly homogeneous publishing industry, innovation must happen at all levels, from the big five book corporations in New York City to literary magazines like Shenandoah. We recognize that if we want writers from diverse backgrounds, varied perspectives, and underrepresented groups to feel at home in Shenandoah, and for the literature we publish to be full of varied and passionate perspectives that enliven, empower, and engage all of us, we need to have representation at our core.

Through this editorial fellowship, we’re committed to expanding the roster of people we work with and to discovering new voices to amplify and empower. Selected fellows will receive a $1000 honorarium and will curate a selection of published work in a genre of their choosing for a single issue of Shenandoah, working with the Shenandoah staff to guide the work to publication. This opportunity will give fellows the chance to learn about all aspects of a small literary publisher and create connections with peers and potential future employers in the industry and in academia.

“I explored Border Crossing Narratives which prompted me to dismantle boundaries—physical, societal, existential—embracing the profound journeys of crossing that define our humanity.” —May-lee Chai

Requirements and Eligibility#

A single fellow will be selected for each issue of Shenandoah going forward, alternating genres (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics) as we see fit. Working with the editorial staff, fellows will curate a suite of work for their issue. Each fellow will receive a $1000 honorarium for their work. We welcome writers and editors of all experience levels. No previous editorial experience is necessary, but we are looking for applicants who are passionate and informed about the literary community. We are committed to the development of an inclusive environment and strive to advance diverse perspectives and approaches.

We welcome applications from all writers, including members of communities that are traditionally underrepresented in academia and publishing. Washington and Lee University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other protected class status under the law in its educational programs and activities, admissions, and with regard to employment.

“I’m thankful to Shenandoah for offering me the building blocks of sustaining a lasting relationship with myself in regards to craft and by offering up a glimpse of what it means to maintain that level of interconnectivity on a community scale.” —Sylvia Jones

The Application#

Applications will be open twice a year. Keep an eye on this page or on our social media accounts Submittable. The application will ask you to upload a single document that responds to these three prompts separately:

1. In 500 words or fewer, describe why this fellowship would be valuable to you, addressing what you think is the role and value of a literary magazine in the publishing ecosystem.

2. In 500 words or fewer, tell us about a favorite piece of writing you recently read in a literary magazine in your desired genre. Describe how you found it, who wrote it, its aesthetic attributes, and what you loved about it.

3. In 500 words or fewer, describe the unique perspective or experience you would bring to Shenandoah. Make sure to include your writing and editing experience and the genre you would be most excited to work in (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, comics).

Fellows#

DW McKinney creative nonfiction, spring 2021
Jenzo DuQue fiction, fall 2021
Sylvia Jones poetry, spring 2022
May-lee Chai border-crossing narratives, fall 2022
Siew David Hii poetry, spring 2023
jj peña creative nonfiction, fall 2023
Mubanga Kalimamukwento fiction, spring 2024
Stevie Billow creative nonfiction, spring 2025
Anes Ahmed fiction, fall 2025
Tran Tran bilingual poetry, fall 2025
Samyak Shertok poetry, spring 2026
Robert James Russell comics, spring 2026