In 2012, the Asian American Writers' Workshop launched a set of online magazines in order to build conversations around cutting-edge ideas in Asian American literature, art, and social justice. Though the aims of our publications are distinct, both of them are committed to the reinvention and advancement of Asian American intellectual culture.
- The Margins is our award-winning magazine of arts and ideas dedicated to charting the rise of the Asian American creative class through essays, interviews, and creative writing.
We publish: 1) original creative writing, whether poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, or even interdisciplinary work; 2) essays on literature and politics by sophisticated thinkers who can speak to a general audience about race, gender, sexuality, immigration, postcolonialism, pop culture, and diaspora; 3) reportage about immigrant communities in NYC by narrative storytellers who can set a scene with rich imagery and descriptive detail.
Our stories have been linked to by the Wall Street Journal, the New Inquiry and the New York Times. Our contributors have included Jessica Hagedorn, Hanya Yanagihara, Chang-rae Lee, Bhanu Kapil, Ashok Kondabolu, Jenny Zhang, Katie Kitamura, Hua Hsu, Kim Hyesoon, Alexander Chee, Vijay Iyer, and Yoko Ogawa. See below for ways you can submit your work!
APPLICATIONS DUE: December 15, by 11:59 PM ET
FELLOWSHIP STARTS: February 1, 2025
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop is now accepting applications for the 2025 Margins Fellowship. Four emerging Asian American, Muslim, and Arab writers of fiction, poetry, or creative nonfiction based in New York City will receive $5,000, residency time at Millay Arts, mentorship, access to the AAWW writing space (COVID-dependent), and publication opportunities in our online magazine, The Margins.
We see this as a chance to support Asian diasporic writers, including South and Southeast Asian diasporic writers, Arab and West Asian writers, and Muslim writers of color more broadly. If you are a writer of color who identifies with these communities, please discuss this in your application.
The Margins is an award-winning online magazine of arts and ideas featuring new fiction and poetry, literary and cultural criticism, and interviews with writers and artists. We are the recipient of a Whiting Literary Magazine award and our stories have been linked to by the Wall Street Journal, The New Inquiry, Literary Hub, and the New York Times.
We strongly encourage all applicants to read our FAQ before applying to determine whether or not they are eligible. The Margins fellowship is open to emerging Asian American, Muslim, and Arab creative writers who reside in New York City. Fellowship applicants may not be enrolled in any academic, conservatory, college, or degree granting training program during the fellowship term. To be considered you must apply through this Submittable form. If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact us at fellowships@aaww.org.
TIMELINE The Margins Fellowship deadline is Sunday, December 15, by 11:59 PM ET. The term of the fellowship is one year, from February 2025 to January 2026. Fellows will be selected and notified in January 2025.
HOW TO APPLY
1. READ OUR FAQ.
2. Get to know our magazine.
3. Fill out the application form below by 11:59 PM ET on December 15, 2024.
Please note all applicants must attach a statement of purpose, a CV/resumé, and a writing sample. There is no application fee. We do not accept handwritten documents, letters of recommendation, or support materials.
The Asian American Writers’ Workshop (AAWW), Plympton, and Third State Books proudly present an open call/competition for fiction novels in progress.
Winners will receive:
- One-month residency with Writing Downtown in Las Vegas, Nevada;
- One-hour virtual consultation with Third State Books, a new publishing house amplifying stories from Asian America;
- One-hour virtual consultation with an AAPI literary agent;
- One complimentary seat to an AAWW workshop;
- One full-day pass to the AAWW’s 2025 Publishing Conference.
Winners will also receive invaluable networking and mentorship through the AAWW, Plympton, and Third State communities. Please note that travel costs are not included for any of the prizes.
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
- All genres of fiction will be considered, including but not limited to: speculative fiction, fantasy/science-fiction, young adult, horror, mystery, thriller, and romance.
- All submissions should include a one-page synopsis or overview of the work
- Our ideal manuscript is a nearly-complete draft of 50,000-100,000 words – let us help you get your book over the finish line!
- Please attach manuscripts in either Word .doc, .docx, or PDF format
- All work must be original; translations will not be accepted
- Previously published or forthcoming manuscripts will not be considered