2022 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. Quality of the work submitted is the primary consideration in determining award recipients. Applicants must submit a resume, a brief description of how the award will advance their writing, and work samples reflecting work completed within the last two years. Poets may submit up to 10 poems; prose writers up to 15 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction; playwrights and screenwriters up to 15 pages of one script or multiple brief scripts; and mixed genre writers up to 15 pages of literary writing. Up to 2 optional images relevant to work samples may be included.

A panel comprised of writers in the disciplines being awarded will review qualified applications based on literary quality of the work samples, demonstrated artistic activity and focus, and the extent to which the award will further the applicant's literary career. Award recipients will be notified by November 30, 2021. Recipients must expend fellowship funds by June 30, 2022, maintain Alaska residency throughout the fellowship year, and provide a letter to the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation by June 30, 2022 describing how the award supported their work. There are no restrictions on the writer's use of the award and no formal report is required beyond this letter.