Last year, I had the pleasure of reading poetry applications for the Edith Wharton Residency. Reading applications affected how I now think about putting together a writing sample, and it even helped me reorder the opening pages of my own manuscript.
Here’s what I took away, as a writer, from my experience as an application reader:
- Lead with your strongest work. When I was reading applications, I always secretly wanted the next one on the stack to knock my socks off. If it didn’t, I was sometimes eager to move onto the next. From the start, then, push your readers closer to the fulfillment of their hopes and dreams! Your assigned readers will read your entire sample, usually at least twice. But their first impressions will be built—maybe even cemented—from that very first page. There are other worthy considerations when putting together a writing sample—emotional arc, range, cohesion—but I’d argue that starting off strong is the prime consideration. Lead with voice. Don’t be shy. Show them you know what you’re doing.
- On the other hand: trust is built over time. If you have a piece that is—for you—particularly risky (either aesthetically or in terms of content), consider whether it works better as your opener or whether it would be more effective later in your sample, after your readers have seen your facility with your craft. I’ll go with you to really strange places on page 4 if you’ve hooked me on pages 1-3. Also, note that application readers are encouraged to read your writing sample first and other materials afterward, so prioritize building your reader’s trust through the strength of the work itself, rather than in your personal statement.
- Finally, with short-form work like poetry or flash fiction, use your full page count. You have space to share a sizable offering of your strongest work—give your reader the chance to fully engage. If you don’t yet have enough work to reach the maximum page requirements, it might indicate that you could benefit from more time to prepare yourself for an independent residency like this one. If that’s the case, don’t be deterred—keep writing, and apply next year!
Happy writing!
Lizzy Beck
Applications for the Straw Dog Writers Guild Residency with The Mount open September 1st! You can find more information HERE.