Young aspiring writers from the Virgin Islands now have the opportunity to apply for the BVI Emerging Writers’ Fellowship. Photo: BVI Lit Fest

The BVI Emerging Writers’ Fellowship is an initiative of the BVI Literary Arts Festival (BVI Lit Fest) in partnership with VP Bank. Photo: Internet Source

An initiative of the BVI Literary Arts Festival (BVI Lit Fest) in partnership with VP Bank will provide three aspiring young writers with professional mentorship and a platform to develop their craft.

According to a press release on September 5, 2025, the fellowship will pair participants with established authors and publishing professionals in a three-month virtual mentorship. 

The fellowship will offer personalised guidance, industry insights, and support to help writers sharpen their craft, explore the path to publication and move closer to their dream of completing and publishing their work.

Open to youth aged 18 and over

The fellowship is open to citizens, belongers and residents of the VI aged 18 and over. Writers of poetry and or prose, as well as unpublished and self-published writers, are eligible to apply. 

The following submission guidelines should be followed: 

• Prose: Submit one story, essay, or chapter no longer than 5,000 words
• Poetry: Submit 8-10 pages of poems in a single document
• All entries must be original, unpublished works.
• Submissions should be in 12pt, Times New Roman, double-spaced (except poetry).
• Entries must be in English.

To apply, applicants should fill out the application form, which can be found at https://bvilitfest.com/bvi-emerging-writers-fellowship-application-form/#

Applicants should also include their poetry or prose entries as well Word or PDF attachment. 

The deadline for submission is September 30, 2025. Winners will be announced during the 2025 BVI Lit Fest and must commit to attending all mentorship sessions, and are assured that they will retain all copyright.