Cecelia Joyce Johnson

(for a short story)

Scotti Merrill Award

(for poetry)

Marianne Russo Award

(for a novel-in-progress)

Each year we honor three new writers.

The Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award, Scotti Merrill Award, and Marianne Russo Award recognize and support writers who possess exceptional talent and demonstrate potential for lasting literary careers.

Each award is tailored to a particular literary form. The Merrill Award recognizes a poet, while fiction writers may apply for either the Johnson Award (for a short story) or the Russo Award (for a novel-in-progress).

Winners of the 2027 Emerging Writer Awards will receive full tuition support for our January 2027 Seminar and Writers’ Workshop Program, round-trip airfare, lodging, a $500 honorarium, and appear on stage during the Seminar. They will be in Key West from January 3 – 11, 2027.

Please review the criteria, complete the application form, and upload the required documents via Submittable. Due to an increased volume of applications and our thorough review process, we have implemented a $12 application fee to cover review costs.

Please note our earlier deadline of June 1, 2026.

Last year’s winners are Jack Foraker for a short story, Jackie Chalghin for a novel-in-progress, and Valerie Perrault for poetry. Learn more about their achievements.

Important Dates:

Applications are now CLOSED.

Eligibility:

Writers of any age who live in the United States and have not yet published a book with a major publisher are eligible to apply. If you are the author of a book that is self-published, published with an independent press, or had a print run of 500 or fewer copies, you may or may not be eligible. If you think your eligibility could be called into question, please provide relevant details about prior publications as part of your cover letter. We reserve the right to make all final decisions regarding eligibility.

APPLY NOW!

Dantiel Moniz

“Winning was a life changing experience for me as it was my first literary award. It was amazing to be able to read my material in front of writers I admire. Moments that were not scheduled were also important—like riding around Key West on bikes, learning about its literary history, becoming friends with other winners. I went in with no expectations, but felt that every little detail had been taken care of. It was a completely immersive experience.”

2018 Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award winner and author of Milk Blood Heat (Grove Press, 2021)

Dantiel Moniz

Annaka Saari

“My experience at KWLS after winning the EWA was absolutely incredible — it was such a gift to be able to spend time in such a generous, supportive community and explore the rich history of literature in Key West. I had the opportunity to be in a workshop with a vibrant group of writers… and read alongside my fellow award winners during the Seminar in a room full of writers I admire.”

2025 Scotti Merril Award winner 

Theodore Wheeler

“The mentorship aspect of this award is key because you have access to the ‘authors in the room.’ For example, returning from Judy Blume’s party, I bumped into Mary Morris and had a one-on-one chat with her. The sense of belonging is special and you really feel celebrated while you’re at the Seminar.”

2014 Marianne Russo Award winner and author of  the collection of short fiction Bad Faith and the novels Kings of Broken Things and In Our Other Lives (Little A, 2020)

Theodore Wheeler

Ricardo Zegri

“It was a thrill to be surrounded by so many brilliant and creative people the entire week, all of whom were actively working on bringing more art, culture and wit into the world. It ruined regular cocktail parties for me because when you’re joking with John Irving over a bowl of Guacamole, someone’s story about the weather has less luster.”

2025 Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award winner 

Diana Khoi Nguyen

“The highlight of the experience was being able to go on stage to read my work, then sitting next to George Saunders, who said, “Good job!” when I was finished. It was nerve-wracking and so affirming.”

2012 Scotti Merrill Award winner and author of the poetry collection Ghost of (Omnidawn Publishing, 2018)

Diana Khoi Nguyen

Ross Feeler

“Generally the writing life is a grind, but this experience is such fun—the recognition, meeting people at the seminar, meeting faculty in the workshops, getting to go on stage and read after Joyce Carol Oates and on the same stage as Margaret Atwood. It’s a huge affirmation for any writer.”

2019 Marianne Russo Award winner whose short stories have appeared in the Common, the Potomac Review, Story|Houston, Hypertext, New South, and others.

Ross Feeler

Previous Winners

Cecelia Joyce Johnson Award

2026
Jack Foraker

2025
Ricardo Zegri

2024
Pritha Bhattacharyya

2023
Nayereh Doosti

2022
Christine Vines

2021
Nishanth Injam

2020
Chase Burke

2019
Joe Dornich

2018
Dantiel Moniz

2017
Munib Khan

2016
Vincent Scarpa

2015
Chaney Kwak

2014
Liz Gordon

2013
Sharon Harrigan

2012
Sabra Wineteer

2011
George Kamide

2010
Andrew Alexander

2009
Martha Otis

2008
Mehdi Okasi
Nami Mun

Scotti Merrill Award

2026
Valerie Perreault

2025
Annaka Saari

2024
Veronica Silva

2023
Amanda Hawkins

2022
Gabriel Mundo

2021
Lisa Beech Hartz

2020
Chloé Firetto-Toomey

2019
Michelle Peñaloza

2018
Michael Lee

2017
Melinda Goodman

2016
Rob Stephens

2015
Jay Deshpande

2014
Christine Shan Shan Hou

2013
Scott Brennan

2012
Diana Khoi Nguyen

2011
Brynn Saito

2010
Will Dowd

2009
April Puciata

2008
Nancy Pearson
Jacqueline Jones LaMon

Marianne Russo Award

2026
Jackie Chalghin

2025
Brenton Sizwe Zola

2024
Erika Higgins Ross

2023
Lisa Lee

2022
Melanie Pappadis Faranello

2021
Aimee LaBrie

2020
Andrea Rinard

2019
Ross Feeler

2018
Sara Allen

2017
Elizabeth Engelman

2016
Jordan Jacks

2015
Joshua Bodwell

2014
Theodore Wheeler

2013
Brooks Whitney Phillips

2012
Christy Strick

2011
Kim Adrian

2010
George Green

2009
Patricia Engel

2008
Kristen-Paige Madonia
Katherine Schaefer