The Mount Announces The Edith Wharton Writer-in-Residence Program
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LENOX, Mass. — The Mount, Edith Wharton’s home in Lenox, will host The Edith Wharton Writer-in-Residence, a two-week residency offering writers the opportunity to work and create in the house Wharton built as a writer’s retreat.
The program is open to writers and scholars of demonstrated accomplishment who are currently working on a new piece of writing. Applications open on July 1, 2015, and will be accepted through Aug. 31, 2015. For additional information including submission guidelines, visit EdithWharton.org.
For the past two years, The Mount has informally offered the use of the house to writers. In 2014, authors Francesca Segal and Kate Bolick worked in the house during the winter months. Segal and Bolick are both avid fans of Edith Wharton. Segal’s "The Innocents" is a retelling of "The Age of Innocence" set in a modern suburb of London. In Bolick’s bibliomemoir, "Spinster: Making a Life of One’s Own," Wharton makes an appearance as one of her five “Awakeners,” women from the last century whose genius, tenacity, and flair for drama have influenced her life choices.
This past March, writer and scholar Natalie Dykstra found inspiration in Wharton’s library, working on an article on 19th century pressed flower albums, which she titled “Enduring Beauty.”
“Thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor, we are able to take an idea we have been experimenting with and make it official,” said Susan Wissler, executive director of The Mount. “The Edith Wharton Writer-in-Residence brings writing back to the property while supporting and celebrating contemporary writers.”
Residents will receive a work space at The Mount, a $1,000 food and travel stipend, and lodging for the duration of their residency. Residents must provide their own transportation. The principal responsibility of the resident is to spend time further developing his or her creative work.
To apply, applicants must provide a proposal, to include a resume, statement of purpose and writing sample of approximately 1,500 words to info@edithwharton.org.
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