Alaska Literary Awards 2025

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, not full-time students, and not enrolled in any art-related degree or certification program. Applicants must be legal residents of Alaska pursuing their art form on an ongoing basis and cannot have received a prior Alaska Literary Award. Quality of work submitted is the primary consideration in determining award recipients. There are no restrictions on the writer's use of the award and no formal report is required.

Applications must include a brief description of how the award will advance your writing career, a current resume or brief CV, and work samples reflecting work completed within the last two years. Work samples should be combined into one Word document or PDF file with the applicant's name on the first page. Poets may submit up to 15 pages of poetry; prose writers up to 15 pages of fiction or creative nonfiction; playwrights/screenwriters up to 15 pages of one script or multiple brief scripts; and mixed genre writers up to 15 pages of literary writing. Published or unpublished work samples are accepted. A panel comprised of writers in the relevant disciplines will review applications based on literary quality of work, 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 October 30, 2025. Recipients must expend fellowship funds by December 31, 2026, maintain Alaska residency throughout the fellowship year, and provide a report to the Alaska Arts and Culture Foundation by December 31, 2026 describing how the award supported their work.