An established writer for the purpose of this residency is someone with at least three of the following characteristics:

1. At least two books/plays/graphic novels released by a traditional publisher over the course of their career OR (playwrights only) at least two plays performed on a national stage* over the course of their career OR (playwrights only) at least one book/play/graphic novel released by a traditional publisher over the course of their career and at least one play performed on a national stage* over the course of their career.

2. At least one book/play/graphic novel released by a traditional publisher within the last five years OR at least one play performed on a national* or regional** stage within the past seven years.

3. Publication in literary journals/magazines/newspapers/anthologies AND/OR participation in public readings of their work (such as author talks) AND/OR very vocal about their work (such as a Substack where they regularly share their writing).

4. Accolades/recognition of their work (winner or finalist in a writing competition, etc.).

The established writer is someone who can greatly benefit from the time and space that the Thurber House apartment provides to make headway on new work or work in progress, who can educate other writers/readers by sharing their writing knowledge/journey via participation in a program or event, etc.

*National stage = a theater located in New York City, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Paris, or a similar major city and/or a nationally touring production.

**Regional stage = a theater/playhouse located in a small or mid-sized city/region or a theater/playhouse located in a major city (such as New York City, London, etc.) that is not considered a national stage (e.g. part of Broadway or the West End).

Established writers must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Writers of any genre and form are eligible (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, prose, poetry, short-form, long-form, graphic novel, playwriting, etc)—as long as a significant portion of the writer’s work is not geared toward children. If you are a children’s writer, please consider applying for our Lawson Children’s Writer-in-Residence Program.

• Applicants must reside in a U.S. state/territory.

• Applicants must be over 18 years of age.

• Applicants must have had a book/play/graphic novel released by a traditional publisher within the last five years OR a play performed on a national* or regional** stage within the past seven years.

• Applicants must have at least one current work in progress (outlined, drafted, etc.).

*National stage = a theater located in New York City, London, Chicago, Los Angeles, Toronto, Paris, or a similar major city and/or a nationally touring production.

**Regional stage = a theater/playhouse located in a small or mid-sized city/region or a theater/playhouse located in a major city (such as New York City, London, etc.) that is not considered a national stage (e.g. part of Broadway or the West End).

If you have any questions about whether you are eligible, contact us at thurberhouse@thurberhouse.org.

Be prepared to submit the following information in the application portal. You do not need to complete your application in one sitting; you may save your application in the portal and finish it later.

1) 200-500-word statement explaining why the applicant wants this residency and what they hope to accomplish during the residency

2) 100-300-word statement or resume outlining the applicant’s experience, accomplishments, and accolades

3) List of the applicant’s publications

4) Work samples:

• Writing samples must be at least 25 pages total and must not exceed 50 pages total

  • POETS must submit (at least five writing samples must be from the past five years):

    • Ten poems from the same or different published books

      —OR—

    • Five poems from the same or different published books AND five standalone poems that are not published in a book

  • PROSE WRITERS/PLAYWRIGHTS must submit (at least one writing sample must be from the past five years):

    • Three prose pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different published books or plays

      —OR—

    • Two prose pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different published books or plays AND one standalone prose piece that is not published in a book or play

  • GRAPHIC NOVELISTS must submit (at least one writing sample must be from the past five years):

    • Three pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different published graphic novels

      —OR—

    • Two pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different published graphic novels AND one standalone piece that is not published in a graphic novel

  • MULTI-GENRE/FORM: Writers who work in both poetry and prose, poetry and graphic novels, or prose and graphic novels must submit (at least 1/3 of your writing samples must be from the past five years):

    • Four poems and two prose or graphic novel pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different books/plays/graphic novels

      —OR—

    • Three short-form prose pieces

      —OR—

    • Three prose or graphic novel pieces/chapters/excerpts from the same or different books/plays/graphic novels

5) Applicant’s contact information

6) Alternative contact (if applicable)

7) Checkboxes:

• Applicant agrees to the following:

  • Artificial intelligence: All submitted writing and graphic novel artwork is original and created solely by the writer/artist and without the use of artificial intelligence. I understand that any non-original work, including work manipulated or generated in any way by artificial intelligence, will be rejected.

  • Warranty and indemnity: I warrant that the submitted work is original and does not infringe on any third party’s rights. The writer/artist agrees to indemnity and hold harmless Thurber House and its authorized representatives from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from the breach of this warranty.

  • Participation: I agree to participate in one or two Thurber House workshops, writing groups, events, and/or community outreach opportunities during my residency.

  • Honorarium and expenses: If I am awarded a residency, I understand that the honorarium provided by Thurber House is intended to go toward expenses involved with participating in the residency (including travel and meals). No additional stipend will be provided by Thurber House to cover residency-related expenses (including travel and meals).

  • Travel arrangements: I understand that the residency takes place in Columbus, Ohio, and that I am responsible for making all travel arrangements.

  • Accessibility: I understand that the residency takes place in an apartment on the third floor of the historic Thurber House, which is only accessible via two flights of stairs.

  • Image/likeness: I grant permission to Thurber House and its authorized representatives—including but not limited to its employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, trustees, directors, successors, assigns, and other parties/representatives who are authorized to act on behalf of Thurber House—to use and exhibit my name and/or likeness, image, photographs, audio recordings, quotes, and any and all recordings of myself produced in conjunction with the residency for purposes related to the residency and/or Thurber House, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised. This usage includes but is not limited to recording, broadcast, and live stream elements; promotion; and advertising materials. I expressly release Thurber House and Thurber House authorized representatives from all claims which I have or may have for invasion of privacy, defamation, or any other cause of action arising out of production, duplication, broadcast, or exhibition of any appearance.

  • General release of liability: I expressly release Thurber House and its authorized representatives—including but not limited to its employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, trustees, directors, successors, assigns, and other parties/representatives who are authorized to act on behalf of Thurber House—from any and all liability for claims, damages, or expenses related to plagiarism, pirating, artificial intelligence engineering, invasion of privacy, defamation, damages, losses, or any other cause related to the writer's/artist's interactions, relationship, or engagement with Thurber House and Thurber House authorized representatives and/or related to the writer’s/artist’s application for and participation in a Thurber House residency. Under no circumstances will Thurber House or Thurber House authorized representatives be held liable or financially responsible for any damage or loss to the writer/artist.

What is the application window? Applications are accepted from September/October through mid-January each year.

When will I learn if I’m selected as a resident? We will notify you in March or April.

When does the residency take place? The residency takes place over two weeks in September, October, November, December, January, or February, depending on the applicant’s availability and Thurber House programming. For example, a 2050 Nance Resident might complete their residency any time between September 2050 and February 2051.

Is there a cost to apply? There is a $20 fee to submit an application.

I’m interested in a residency, but I don’t exactly meet the criteria for “established” or “emerging.” Contact us at thurberhouse@thurberhouse.org to discuss.

What amenities does the apartment have? The apartment has Wi-Fi and is furnished with a living room, full kitchen (sink, mini-refrigerator/freezer, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, tea kettle, stove, oven, dishes/cutlery, etc.), full bathroom with walk-in shower, and two bedrooms. A bike is available for resident use. Thurber House is a short walk from the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Topiary Park, various restaurants/fast food, and other attractions. Free parking is available 24/7.

An emerging writer for the purpose of this residency is someone with one or more of the following characteristics:

1. Published in literary journals/magazines/newspapers/anthologies

2. Their play has been performed on a local* or regional** stage

3. They’ve self-published a book or graphic novel

4. Participated in public readings of their work (like the Columbus Arts Festival's Word Is Art Stage or bookstore events)

5. Very vocal about their work (such as a Substack with a growing following where they regularly share their writing)

6. Received accolades/recognition of their work (e.g. winner or finalist in a writing competition, etc.)

Emerging writers may have a book released by a traditional publisher, but more typically, they do not have a published book or have been exclusively self-published.

The emerging writer is someone who can greatly benefit from the time and space that the Thurber House apartment provides to take the next step in their writing journey, make headway on new work or work in progress, etc.

*Local stage = a theater/playhouse located in a small city, town, or unincorporated area that is limited to a local reach.

**Regional stage = a theater/playhouse located in a small or mid-sized city/region or a theater/playhouse located in a major city (such as New York City, London, etc.) that is not considered a national stage (e.g. part of Broadway or the West End).

Emerging writers must meet ALL of the following criteria:

• Writers of any genre and form are eligible (e.g. fiction, nonfiction, prose, poetry, short-form, long-form, graphic novel, playwriting, etc)—as long as a significant portion of the writer’s work is not geared toward children. If you are a children’s writer, please consider applying for our Lawson Children’s Writer-in-Residence Program.

• Applicants must currently reside in or be born/raised in Ohio (if you were not born/raised in Ohio but you’ve spent a significant amount of time in Ohio, please contact us for a possible exception to this requirement).

• Applicants must be over 18 years of age.

• Applicants must have at least one current work in progress (outlined, drafted, etc.).

1) 200-500-word statement explaining why the applicant wants this residency and what they hope to accomplish during the residency

2) 100-300-word statement or resume outlining the applicant’s experience, accomplishments, and accolades

3) List of the applicant’s publications (if any)

4) Work samples:

• Writing samples must be at least 25 pages total and must not exceed 50 pages total

  • POETS must submit (at least five writing samples must be from the past five years):

    • Ten poems

  • PROSE WRITERS/PLAYWRIGHTS must submit (at least one writing sample must be from the past five years):

    • Three prose pieces/chapters/excerpts (published or unpublished)

  • GRAPHIC NOVELISTS must submit (at least one writing sample must be from the past five years):

    • Three pieces/chapters/excerpts (published or unpublished)

  • MULTI-GENRE/FORM: Writers who work in both poetry and prose, poetry and graphic novels, or prose and graphic novels must submit (at least 1/3 of your writing samples must be from the past five years):

    • Four poems and two prose pieces/chapters/excerpts (from published or unpublished books/plays/graphic novels)

      —OR—

    • Three prose pieces/chapters/excerpts (from published or unpublished books/plays/graphic novels)

5) Applicant’s contact information

6) Alternative contact (if applicable)

7) Checkboxes:

• Applicant agrees to the following:

  • Artificial intelligence: All submitted writing and graphic novel artwork is original and created solely by the writer/artist and without the use of artificial intelligence. I understand that any non-original work, including work manipulated or generated in any way by artificial intelligence, will be rejected.

  • Warranty and indemnity: I warrant that the submitted work is original and does not infringe on any third party’s rights. The writer/artist agrees to indemnity and hold harmless Thurber House and its authorized representatives from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from the breach of this warranty.

  • Participation: I agree to participate in one or two Thurber House workshops, writing groups, events, and/or community outreach opportunities during my residency.

  • Honorarium and expenses: If I am awarded a residency, I understand that the honorarium provided by Thurber House is intended to go toward expenses involved with participating in the residency (including travel and meals). No additional stipend will be provided by Thurber House to cover residency-related expenses (including travel and meals).

  • Travel arrangements: I understand that the residency takes place in Columbus, Ohio, and that I am responsible for making all travel arrangements.

  • Accessibility: I understand that the residency takes place in an apartment on the third floor of the historic Thurber House, which is only accessible via two flights of stairs.

  • Image/likeness: I grant permission to Thurber House and its authorized representatives—including but not limited to its employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, trustees, directors, successors, assigns, and other parties/representatives who are authorized to act on behalf of Thurber House—to use and exhibit my name and/or likeness, image, photographs, audio recordings, quotes, and any and all recordings of myself produced in conjunction with the residency for purposes related to the residency and/or Thurber House, in any and all media now known or hereafter devised. This usage includes but is not limited to recording, broadcast, and live stream elements; promotion; and advertising materials. I expressly release Thurber House and Thurber House authorized representatives from all claims which I have or may have for invasion of privacy, defamation, or any other cause of action arising out of production, duplication, broadcast, or exhibition of any appearance.

  • General release of liability: I expressly release Thurber House and its authorized representatives—including but not limited to its employees, volunteers, contractors, agents, trustees, directors, successors, assigns, and other parties/representatives who are authorized to act on behalf of Thurber House—from any and all liability for claims, damages, or expenses related to plagiarism, pirating, artificial intelligence engineering, invasion of privacy, defamation, damages, losses, or any other cause related to the writer's/artist's interactions, relationship, or engagement with Thurber House and Thurber House authorized representatives and/or related to the writer’s/artist’s application for and participation in a Thurber House residency. Under no circumstances will Thurber House or Thurber House authorized representatives be held liable or financially responsible for any damage or loss to the writer/artist.

What is the application window? Applications are accepted from September/October through mid-January each year.

When will I learn if I’m selected as a resident? We will notify you in March or April.

When does the residency take place? The residency takes place over two weeks in September, October, November, December, January, or February, depending on the applicant’s availability and Thurber House programming. For example, a 2050 Nance Resident might complete their residency any time between September 2050 and February 2051.

Is there a cost to apply? There is a $20 fee to submit an application.

I’m interested in a residency, but I don’t exactly meet the criteria for “established” or “emerging.” Contact us at thurberhouse@thurberhouse.org to discuss.

What amenities does the apartment have? The apartment has Wi-Fi and is furnished with a living room, full kitchen (sink, mini-refrigerator/freezer, microwave, toaster, coffeemaker, tea kettle, stove, oven, dishes/cutlery, etc.), full bathroom with walk-in shower, and two bedrooms. A bike is available for resident use. Thurber House is a short walk from the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus Metropolitan Library, Topiary Park, various restaurants/fast food, and other attractions. Free parking is available 24/7.