Writers Trust of Canada

Woodcock Fund Guidelines

Established in 1989, the program has to date distributed $903, 773 to 183 writers.

Terms of Reference

The mandate of the Fund is to provide emergency funding to established writers in mid-project who are facing an unforeseen financial need that threatens the completion of their book. Successful applicants quickly receive financial support that allows them to complete their book projects. All applications to the Fund are processed in confidence. Successful applicants are urged to acknowledge their grants in their books.

Who May Apply

Writers should not approach the Fund before they have made an honest and reasonable attempt to support themselves by other means.

To be eligible applicants must be:

1. Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

2. Working on a book-length project in the category of fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, playwriting, or children’s literature.

3. A professional writer engaged in the production of literary work for some time (a minimum of 2 professionally published works, or an equivalent body of work; self-published and ghostwritten works will not be accepted).

4. Facing an unforeseen financial need (usually a matter of exigency including but not limited to illness, legal issue, or debt problem, rather than an on-going, chronic problem of making a living) that imperils the completion of their project.

The program does not support screenwriting, journalism, academic books or essays, or formulaic romance writing.

Application Requirements

A.  Cover Letter

Address eligibility criteria, include information on the status of any recent or pending grant applications, and specify amount requested.

B.  Resume/Curriculum Vitae

List publication history, grants, awards, and other professional activities.

C.  Project Summary

Briefly describe your current work-in-progress and include a projected date of completion and plan for publication.

D.  Budget

Outline your monthly expenses and any sources of income.

E.  Two Letters of Reference

Address any or all of the following: the candidate’s status as a professional writer, current work-in-progress, and/or the nature of the candidate’s financial need. (Ideally, references will come from fellow writers. We do not accept reference letters from publishers, literary agents, or anyone with a vested interest in the success of the application.)

F.  Supporting Material

Provide support material relevant to your application (medical records, invoices, bank statements, reviews of previous books, etc...).

An application may be submitted on behalf of an eligible writer by a third-party. In such cases flexibility with regards to certain application materials may be granted.

If further information is required after the completed application has been received the writer will be contacted.

Applications are accepted throughout the year. There are no deadlines.

Evaluation Process

The Writers’ Trust is advised in the selection process by a Committee comprised of established writers from across the country. The Committee is charged with evaluating each application. Consideration is given to an applicant’s publication history, the viability of his or her plan to complete the project, the nature of the financial need, and the strength of statement in the letters of reference, among other variables. The application process should take no more than three weeks.

What Grants Are Meant to Provide

Grants are intended to provide a financial bridge for applicants until they can complete their current work-in-progress. The size and length of the grant is determined by the individual circumstances of the writer. In evaluating an applicant’s needs, the Fund will consider all legitimate expenditures relating to an applicant’s professional work, personal living, and medical expenses.

Reapplication

Past recipients should be aware that the Fund does not wish to become an instrument of extended or permanent support for particular individuals. Recipients who reapply must face circumstances so changed as to warrant further support.

Senior Writers’ Fellowship

At the discretion of the Committee, writers may be selected to receive the Woodcock Senior Writers’ Fellowship. There is no application process.

Submission

Applications can be sent digitally or by post to the following: