Frequently Asked Questions

Storyknife currently uses a three-tier adjudication process. All three tiers are anonymous. In the first two rounds, the submitted writing sample is read by teams of two Storyknife alumni who write within the sample’s genre. Teams are created with diversity in mind. In each round, adjudicators are asked to judge the quality of the work sample. Those work samples that exhibit excellent quality are moved onto the next round. Adjudicators are also instructed to move to the next round those writers who may be attempting difficult techniques for which their skills have not quite caught up.  

In the final round of adjudication, adjudicators see the answers to the application questions as well as the writing sample. The adjudication procedure emphasizes strength of writing sample first, followed by diversity of background (such as age, ethnicity, experience), diversity of genre, and applicant need based on materials submitted by the applicant, with the goal of creating diverse residency cohorts.

The top ranked writers are scheduled for residencies. Fellowships are awarded to the top ranked writer who fits the criteria of the fellowship. All writers who have advanced to the third round and are not scheduled initially are offered space on the waitlist.

Storyknife does not offer fee waivers for the application fee. Instead, the Storyknife Board of Directors has decided to allocate those funds to providing a greater number of travel stipends. We understand that travel costs to Alaska are a limiting factor and see the allocation of travel funds as an equity issue.

We’re sorry, but due to the high volume of applications, we cannot ask our adjudication teams to provide feedback. Our primary suggestion is to send work that you feel best demonstrates your writing skills.

Writers in residence do not pay for food or lodging while they stay at Storyknife. The sole costs to writers at Storyknife are the application fee and travel to and from Homer, Alaska. Storyknife does have quite a number fellowships and travel scholarships. In 2024, approximately one-third of all the writers in residence will receive some form of travel assistance. We are working to increase the available funds.

For writers who need mobility assistance: The Evangeline cabin and Eva’s House (the main house of Storyknife) are completely ADA accessible. There is a ramp between the two structures. The grounds are not currently accessible to wheelchairs, nor is the group van that is used.

For writers who need visual assistance: The Evangeline cabin and Eva’s House are accessible to your needs.

For Deaf or hard-of-hearing writers: The Evangeline cabin has a flashing smoke detector to assist.

For non-neurotypical writers: Storyknife strives to accommodate non-neurotypical writers by using unscented detergent, no fabric softener, and gently scented cleaning products. Lighting has been chosen with input from non-neurotypical writers to help ameliorate issues with artificial lighting.

For writers of all sizes: the furniture in all of the cabins and Eva’s House was chosen to accommodate writers of all sizes.

If you require accommodation and what to speak to Erin Hollowell before applying, email info@storyknife.org.

With advanced notice, Storyknife will accommodate service dogs, but not emotional support animals. Under the ADA, a service animal is defined as a dog that has been trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Storyknife follows the ADA’s requirements for service animals. (https://www.ada.gov/resources/service-animals-2010-requirements/)

Writers must be able to attend residency during the month for which they applied and are awarded.

Deferrals are only considered for unplanned emergency situations. Once residencies have been confirmed, if assigned dates need to change, writers may request to go on a waitlist for openings within another residency month.

Storyknife alums can apply in the cycle that is five years after their last residency.