2026 LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants

The Georgia Writers Association's LGBTQIA+ Literary Success Grants are designed to encourage and amplify the voices of emerging LGBTQIA+ writers in Georgia. Generously supported by the Hawthornden Foundation, four total grants will be awarded in the categories of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and play/screenwriting. Winning recipients will receive $500, and an invitation to read their work at the 2026 Red Clay Writers Conference (October 2026). There is no submission fee to enter, and unlike previous years, there is no age limitation.

Deadline: Thursday, April 30th, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. ET.

Eligibility: 

• Applicants must be emerging LGBTQIA+ writers, residing and/or studying in the state of Georgia for at least one year. 
• We define "emerging" writers as having not published more than one book; in the case of play/screenwriting, no more than one professional production of their work. (If you have questions about what constitutes a professional production, please email us directly.)
• Previous applicants may apply again, but previous recipients of the grant are ineligible.

Guidelines: 

Writers may apply in only one genre and must submit the following:

—A completed grant application;

—An artist statement of 500 words (max.) describing your work and goals as a writer. Please tell us what inspires or challenges your writing career and how this grant will help you accomplish your goals;

—A writing sample of 10 pages (max.) in the genre in which you are applying: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, play/screenwriting. If submitting poetry, only one poem per page please. (Please do not include any identifying information in the writing sample.)