Emerging Writers Scholarship

📚 PSLA Emerging Writers Scholarship

Celebrating 20 Years of Stories

Since 2005, P.S. Literary Agency (PSLA) has been committed to championing bold voices and unforgettable stories. As we mark our 20th anniversary, we are proud to launch the PSLA Emerging Writers Scholarship — an initiative to support new and underrepresented voices at the beginning of their literary journey.

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🏆 What the Scholarship Includes

• $1,000 Award — to support writing-related expenses such as workshop tuition, contest entry fees, or research costs. The award is in the winner’s local currency (USD or CAD).
• One-on-One Mentorship — a 45-minute session with a PSLA literary agent to discuss your project, career goals, and publishing insights.
• Recognition — public recognition through PSLA channels.

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📝 Eligibility

• Open to writers 18+ and who reside in the United States or Canada.
• Applicants must be unpublished in book form (with the exception of any self-published work).
• All categories represented by PSLA are welcome: fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature.
• We especially encourage applications from underrepresented voices in publishing.

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📅 Timeline

• Applications Open: Monday, January 5th, 2026
• Deadline to Apply: Friday, February 27th, 2026 or until 125 applications received
• Winner Announced: Summer 2026

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📂 How to Apply

Please prepare the following materials:

1. Personal Statement (250–500 words) — Tell us about your writing journey and what this support would mean for you.
2. Writing Sample (5–10 pages) — From your current project, in any genre.
3. Brief Bio (100 words).

The application form will appear below on January 5, 2026. You may submit your application at that time.

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🌟 Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of PSLA agents. Shortlisted applicants may be asked for additional materials. The final selection will be based on:

• Quality and originality of the writing sample.
• Strength of voice and vision.
• Potential for growth as a writer.

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💬 Why We’re Doing This

“For twenty years, we’ve had the privilege of representing extraordinary authors and creators. This scholarship is our way of paying it forward — supporting the storytellers who will shape the next twenty years.”
     — PSLA Founders Curtis Russell and B. David Gyulai

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❓ PSLA Emerging Writers Scholarship – FAQ

When do applications open and close? Applications open on Monday, January 5, 2026, and close on Friday, February 27, 2026 — or once we receive 125 applications, whichever comes first. We encourage writers to apply early, as the form will automatically close once we reach the cap.

Why is there an application cap? To ensure that each submission receives thoughtful consideration from our team, we are limiting the total number of applications to 125. This allows us to maintain a fair and attentive review process.

Can I still submit after the cap is reached? Unfortunately, no. Once the 125-application limit is reached, the form will automatically close and additional submissions will not be accepted. We encourage applicants to plan ahead and submit early within the open window.

Who is eligible to apply? The scholarship is open to: Writers 18 years of age or older who reside in the United States or Canada; Individuals unpublished in book form (self-published works are permitted); Writers in any category represented by PSLA, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s literature. At this time, we are not reviewing poetry-only submissions.

Do I need to have an agent to apply? No. In fact, this scholarship is designed to support unagented and emerging writers. Having an agent does not disqualify you, but the spirit of the award is to uplift those at the beginning of their journey.

Can I update my submission after applying? No. Once you’ve submitted your application, changes cannot be made. Please review your materials carefully before submitting.

What materials do I need to apply? Applicants are asked to submit: A personal statement (250–500 words) describing your writing journey and goals; A writing sample (5–10 pages); A short bio (100 words).

How will recipients be selected? Applications will be reviewed by a panel of PSLA agents. Evaluation will focus on the quality and originality of the writing sample, clarity of voice, and the potential demonstrated in the personal statement.

When will the winner be announced? The scholarship recipient will be announced in Summer 2026. We will contact the winner directly via email and share the announcement publicly through PSLA’s channels.

Will I receive feedback on my application? Due to the high volume of submissions, we are unable to provide individual feedback except for the selected recipient and any honorable mentions. PSLA is not providing editorial guidance, manuscript evaluation, or representation review as part of this scholarship, except for the mentorship session awarded to the recipient.

Will the scholarship be offered again next year? We plan for the PSLA Emerging Writers Scholarship to be an annual initiative as part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing new voices in literature.

Who can I contact with questions? If you have additional questions, please email us at info@psliterary.com. Please note that we cannot provide feedback on individual eligibility or drafts before submission.

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Scholarship Submission Disclaimer

By submitting your application, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

• PSLA does not acquire or claim any rights to your submitted work. All rights remain with you, the applicant.
• All submitted writing must be the applicant’s original work. AI-generated or AI-assisted writing is not permitted.
• Submission to the PSLA Emerging Writers Scholarship does not constitute or imply an offer of literary representation.
• Your submission is for scholarship consideration only and will not be used for any other purpose.
• Due to the volume of submissions, PSLA is unable to provide feedback except to the selected recipient and any honorable mentions.
• PSLA is not responsible for technical issues, lost submissions, or incomplete entries.
• Only applications that meet all eligibility requirements and are submitted before the deadline — or before the 125-submission cap is reached — will be considered.
• By applying, you consent to PSLA reviewing your materials solely for the purpose of evaluating scholarship applications.
• All application materials are stored securely and will not be shared with third parties. All non-selected submissions will be deleted within 6 months of the recipient announcement. Application data may be stored on secure servers located outside of your region.
• Current PSLA clients and immediate family members of PSLA personnel are not eligible.
• PSLA does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion.
• If you require accessibility accommodations to complete your application, please contact us at info@psliterary.com.
• By applying, you consent to receive emails related to your application and the administration of the scholarship.
• All decisions by the selection committee are final.