• About the Award

    The ApollyCon Wordsmith Scholarship is dedicated to expanding access and opportunity within the literary community by connecting recipients with the resources, relationships, and experiences available through ApollyCon. Our mission is to cultivate a more inclusive and representative book community where historically marginalized* authors, readers, and industry professionals can grow, connect, and thrive.

    Through this scholarship, we seek to reduce financial barriers, foster meaningful professional and personal connections, and support individuals who are passionate about storytelling and the publishing world. We believe literature has the power to inspire, transform, and bring people together, and we are committed to helping talented wordsmiths pursue their creative goals and make their voices heard.

    Definition of Historically Marginalized

    For the purposes of this scholarship, historically marginalized refers to individuals and communities that have experienced systemic barriers to opportunity, representation, resources, or inclusion due to social, cultural, economic, or institutional inequities.

    Examples may include, but are not limited to:

    • People of color
    • LGBTQ+ individuals
    • People with disabilities (visible or non-visible)
    • Neurodivergent individuals
    • Older adults and senior citizens
    • Individuals from economically disadvantaged backgrounds

    The ApollyCon Wordsmith Scholarship recognizes that diverse voices enrich storytelling and strengthen the broader literary community. We are committed to creating pathways for those voices to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

  • AWARD BENEFITS

    • Table fee waiver
    • Hotel room at the event hotel
    • Transportation costs if needed
    • Inclusion on, at least, two Apollycon panels
    • Optional opportunity to have a book included in a Primal/Ascended bag (no less than 500) at no cost to the author

    Awardees will be chosen through a selection committee and announced in the 2027 Apollycon author lineup.

  • AWARD RECIPIENTS

    Applicants must:

    • Include a 700 word or less written statement on how this would benefit you
      be a published romance author with at least one book available
    • Must provide a link to author website; bookseller(s) author page (Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo), and Goodreads page, and headshot for formal announcement, if selected as the recipient.

     

    IMPORTANT DATES

    This form will be open from June 22, 2026 through July 22, 2026. The winners will be contacted at the end of July and will be formally announced on August 1, 2026 with the official attending author lineup.

  • Do you currently have a published book?*
  • Do you understand that this includes the option to have ApollyCon print copies of your book to include in event bags as a promotional benefit for awardees. Do you have a published work which you have the rights to allow this?*
  • 0/700
  • Browse Files
    Drag and drop files here
    Choose a file
    Cancelof
  •  
  • Should be Empty: