Wilton Library has launched a new program to support writers called the Cornerstone Writer-in-Residence Program. The effort will provide an emerging or mid-career writer with financial support and office space to complete one manuscript within a 12-month period. The selected writer will receive a $30,000 stipend provided by the Wilton Library Endowment Fund. In addition to completing their manuscript, the writer-in-residence will lead a series of library programs for all ages and offer outreach visits to Wilton schools during their residency.
“We are thrilled to launch this new opportunity that gives writers essential tools that they need to meaningfully focus on their work: time, space, and funding. We believe strongly in the literary process, and in the impact that writers have on the lives of readers of all ages,” Wilton Library Executive Director Caroline Mandler said.“Other benefits of the initiative include expanding the library’s program offerings and encouraging an environment of creativity within the library as we continue to work to inform, enrich, connect, and inspire our community.”
The program is open to candidates working in any literary genre, including but not limited to fiction, non-fiction, graphic novel, script, memoir, and poetry, for any audience (children, young adult, or adult). The winner will be selected by a committee that includes representatives from the library staff, the Board of Trustees, and contributors to the Endowment Fund, as well as authors and publishers.
Applications are due by April 30, 2024. To apply and see more details on the application process and requirements, visit the Wilton Library Cornerstone Writer-in-Residence Program webpage. For more information, contact Mandler, who is also the Selection Committee Chair, via email.
Library officials say the Wilton Library Endowment Fund “serves as the organization’s financial bridge to the future.” Established for the long-term preservation of Wilton Library Association and its mission, the Endowment Fund is meant to safeguard the important role that Wilton Library plays in the Wilton community today and in perpetuity. For more information, visit the library’s website.