Charleston Literary Festival Cato Fellowship Prize

Location
Charleston, South Carolina, USA

Open to
Writers of fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry who are residents of North Carolina or South Carolina. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or residents with an active visa and at least 21 years old by November 7, 2025. Students enrolled in colleges or universities in NC or SC are also eligible. Applicants should be in the early stages of their careers (no more than one published book-length work). Previous publication is not required.

Application Fee
None

What’s Provided

  • $7,500 stipend

  • Full access to 35+ Charleston Literary Festival events (Nov 7–16, 2025)

  • Accommodations in Downtown Charleston

  • Dedicated workspace at Dock Street Theatre

  • Featured reading during the festival

  • Publication of a final piece reflecting on the experience

  • Bio feature on the Charleston Literary Festival website and social media

  • Networking and collaborative opportunities

What the artist/applicant must cover
Any additional expenses not listed above

Duration
November 7–16, 2025 (10 days during Charleston Literary Festival)

Deadline
August 25, 2025

Additional Notes
Applications open July 7, 2025, and include three short answer questions and a writing sample. Submissions must be made via https://charlestonliteraryfestival.slideroom.com/.