Distinguished Writers in Residence

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details

The Shapiro Center for Writing at Wesleyan University seeks to award fellowships to two outstanding writers—scholars, critics, journalists, novelists, poets, playwrights, or translators working in any language and on any subjects. International applicants are welcome. The aim of the fellowship is to support the highest quality writing while growing the Center as an important and diverse site for contemporary literature and criticism. We welcome applications that demonstrate a track record of creative ambition, teaching excellence, public engagement, and collegiality.
Fellows are expected to teach two classes and participate in the Center’s extracurricular programming, which they will help to shape during the 2023-24 academic year. Fellows should reside no more than twenty-five miles away from Middletown during the fellowship. They will be given an office and are expected to make the Center their primary place of work.

Fellows will receive a salary of $150,000, a housing stipend of $30,000, research funds, and full access to Wesleyan facilities. The fellowship will run from September 2023 to May 2024. The fellowship is made possible through the generosity of John Shapiro and Shonni Silverberg.

Wesleyan is a highly selective liberal arts college that values both scholarship and teaching very highly, has a strong, diverse undergraduate student body, and offers a generous sabbatical program and competitive salaries and benefits.
Minimum Qualifications

The minimum qualification to apply to be a Distinguished Writer in Residence is an undergraduate degree.
Special Instructions To Applicants

Candidates should submit a CV and a proposal (submit as “Other Document”) that is no more than two pages, single-spaced, regular margins, size 12 font. The proposal should address: (1) Your writing plans for the fellowship; (2) The classes you would like to teach, including course titles and descriptions. Classes can be taught in a range of departments and formats; (3) Two events you would like to organize, which could include readings, conversations between writers, table talks, master classes, writing workshops, reading groups, performances, etc; (4) a description of how you will embrace the college’s commitment to an inclusive community, as well as your experience working with individuals from historically marginalized or underserved groups.

Letters of Recommendation are not required for this position. Please leave the recommender information forms in the application portal.
Additional Information

Applications should be submitted onlineby Dec. 15, 2022.

Please contact Ryan Launder (rlaunder@wesleyan,.edu) if you have questions about the application process.

Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.