John Updike Review Emerging Writers Prize—Eligibility: Age 40 or younger.
A $1000 prize plus publication in The John Updike Review, awarded annually to writers 40 years of age or younger. Depending upon the quality of submissions, one or more winners will be announced annually. The review is looking for an essay by a young writer or critic that deepens our understanding of the work of John Updike. The writing may be scholarly or belletristic in nature. Academics, critics, graduate students, assistant professors, novelists, poets, and short story writers are encouraged to submit 10-30 page essays. There is no deadline; submissions are open and rolling. Send submissions via attachment to:  Prof. James Schiff, Editor, The John Updike Review, james.schiff@uc.edu. For more information about the journal, visit the website.

​

John Updike Tucson Casitas Fellowship—Eligibility: Open to everyone.
A two-week residency at the Mission Hill Casitas within the Skyline Country Club in Tucson, Arizona—casitas that John Updike owned and where he wrote during a part of each year between 2004-2009. Offered annually the last two weeks in May. The fellowship includes a $1000 prize provided by The John Updike Society, which administers the fellowship. The casitas stay is made possible by a generous donation from Jan and Jim Emery, owners of the casitas, who will have a collection of Updike books on site for the use of fellows. Updike wrote in all genres, so writers with any type of literary project are welcome to apply, as are scholars working on Updike criticism. Since Updike was an artist as well, multimedia projects will also be considered. Applications are due Nov. 1. Only online submissions will be accepted, with the winner and other applicants typically notified by the end of January. To apply, send a one-half to one-page proposal that details the project, any progress made thus far, the final form the completed project will take (e.g., where it might be published, or whether it’s part of a larger work), along with a one-paragraph bio/artist’s statement. Creative writers should also provide a five-page (and only five-page) writing sample. Send everything in a single PDF attachment to competition coordinator Robert M. Luscher, luscherr@unk.edu.

​

Schiff Travel Grants—Eligibility:  Scholars age 40 and under and current Updike Society members of any age.
Up to five $1500 travel-to-conference grants for scholars 40 years of age or younger to enable them to attend the next John Updike Society conference, and up to five $1000 grants for society members needing assistance to be able to participate in the conference program. The grants are funded by The Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation, whose generosity enabled the society to purchase and maintain The John Updike Childhood Home. Both grants are merit- and need-based, and interested scholars should apply by November 30 the year preceding the next John Updike Society conference. To apply, send a one-page proposal for a 15- to 20-minute paper appropriate for the conference, along with a one-paragraph note about yourself, what grant you are applying for, and why the grant is important to you, to society president James Plath, jplath@iwu.edu. The selection committee will make their decisions and announce successful applicants by the end of the second week in December. Note: Since the grant is to facilitate travel to present a paper at a conference and membership is required do to present at our conferences, successful applicants will need to join the society (annual dues are just $30/year—$25/year for grad students and seniors).

​

​