2022-2023 Alaska Literary Awards

The Alaska Literary Awards recognize and support writers of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, playwriting, screenwriting, and mixed genres. Established in 2014 by the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation through a gift from Peggy Shumaker and Joe Usibelli, the program is administered by the Alaska State Council on the Arts. A select number of $5,000 awards will be awarded annually.

Eligibility is limited to Alaska residents who are 18 years of age or older and not full-time students or enrolled in any art-related degree or certification program. Applicants must be legal residents of Alaska pursuing their art form on an ongoing basis. Quality of work submitted is the primary consideration. Review criteria include literary quality of the applicant's work as demonstrated in submitted work samples, the level of demonstrated artistic activity and focus as described in the applicant's resume, and the extent to which the award will further the development of the applicant's literary career.

Work samples should reflect work completed within the last two years and can be published or unpublished. Poets may submit up to 10 poems; prose writers up to 15 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction; playwrights/screenwriters up to 15 pages of one script or multiple brief scripts; mixed genre writers up to 15 pages of literary writing. All work samples must be combined into one Word document or PDF file with the applicant's name on the first page. Applicants must also provide a brief description of how the award will advance their writing career and their current resume or brief CV. Award recipients will be notified by October 30, 2023. Recipients must expend fellowship funds by December 31, 2024, maintain Alaska residency throughout the fellowship year, and provide a letter to the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation by December 31, 2024 describing how the award supported their work.