Asked and answered, kinda...

Just got some info in re both of these contests and thought I'd share....

As some of you may know, the beginning of Writer's Arc competition opens on the day that the Nicholl closes. (Postmark deadline for the Nicholl is May 1.) Considering that it takes quite a bit of time for the Nicholl to cull it's submissions and award the prize (this doesn't presuppose that I'll win anything btw), I was wondering if it were possible to win and hold the Writer's Arc fellowship prior to being selected and awarded the Nicholl. I scoured the web looking for the info and failed utterly in finding anything that would answer the question... so, I dropped the good folks at the Academy an email. Today, they answered!

Here are both my and their emails.

Sent on April 4th from me:

Hi,
My name is ******* and I'm writing to ask about holding a fellowship that only last for 16 weeks while you are evaluating scripts submitted to the Nicholl. I'm speaking of the Writer's Arc fellowship, which opens their competition on the same day as your deadline (May 1). All this is precipitated upon the assumption (which may not happen, of course) that I win the Writer's Arc summer fellowship. (I was a finalist in the Winter 2005 fellowship, so it's not outside the realm of possibility!)

Here's the time line: Commencement of their 16 weeks fellowship would begin on July 31st and last until Nov 10. Your fellowship would be evaluating scripts and selecting winners during their fellowship. Assuming that I was a winner of the Writer's Arc fellowship, would this timeline disqualify me from your contest? Additionally, your rules stipulate that there be no winning of a contest where a "quid pro quo" situation exists. I don't believe this is the situation with the Writer's Arc fellowship, but I would appreciate clarification as to whether or not winning the Writer's Arc fellowship would preclude someone from entering the Nicholl contest.

Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.


Their reply today:


Unfortunately, I don't know anything about the Writer's Arc Fellowship. However, I can say that if you receive that fellowship and there isn't any professional element attached to the prize (i.e. an option, a contract, a purchase, etc.) then you would be eligible for the Nicholl Fellowships. You just can't be participating in another fellowship at the same time that you are participating in the Nicholl Fellowship. I hope this answers your question.

Sincerely,
Shawn Guthrie


The way I read this (knowing that there are no "professional" elements attached to the winning of the Writer's Arc), it sounds to me that you could conceivably be eligible to win BOTH of these contests.

For those unfamiliar with the Writer's Arc; here's their site:

Writer's Arc

Ok, hope this helps someone!