The Hackerman Writer in Residence Proposals

Applications for the 2026 Hackerman Writer in Residence Program are open from March 1, 2025 through May 1, 2025. For the 2026 residency, we are seeking a Writer in Residence who specializes in poetry. This residency opportunity is open to Maryland-based poets 21+ years of age. Submissions will be capped at 100. Please apply promptly to guarantee we are able to accept your entry.

Program Information

The Hackerman Writer in Residence (WIR) program is an opportunity for the selected writer to work as an independent contractor developing a new body of work or to further develop projects already in existence. The Hackerman Writer in Residence program aims to enhance the literary and cultural life of Maryland by connecting established and emerging writers with Library resources and tools, creating meaningful connections with Library patrons, and contributing unique perspectives to our ever-evolving and growing community.

Applications for the 2026 Hackerman Writer in Residence program opened March 1, 2025. This year's focus is on poetry only. For the 2026 residency, we are seeking a poet.

Program Goals

• Foster an inclusive and diverse space: Create opportunities for Library patrons to interact with literary professionals from various disciplines, promoting equity and inclusivity.

• Enhance creative growth and exploration: Cultivate a thriving literary scene in Baltimore by encouraging writers to explore and contribute to the city's cultural landscape.

• Facilitate meaningful collaborations: Offer a platform for the community to engage with literary professionals.

• Enrich creative learning: Provide access to resources and services that support Library patrons in their literary learning and exploration.

• Bridge the gap between art and community: Establish connections between literary professionals and the Library community.

For more information about the Hackerman Writer in Residence program, please email wir@prattlibrary.org.

Stipend

The Pratt provides a stipend during the residency period. Our current stipend is $30,000 for 11 months, dependent on available funding, with some additional resources available for supply costs. We are unable to reimburse travel costs or provide housing for visiting writers.

Requirements

The Writer in Residence must spend six office hours per month at Pratt Library locations to be determined. The residency also requires a project that is to be worked on throughout the residency and presented in a closing celebration. In addition, in consultation with Pratt staff, the Writer in Residence is expected to plan and host one public event or activity per month. The purpose of WIR events is to educate and engage the community in the creative process. Programs can include interactive sessions, workshops, classes, demonstrations, presentations, or other forms of community engagement. Different activities must be designed for children/families, teens, adults, and all ages. Some of these events will be scheduled for branches other than the Central Library. The Writer can present the same program more than once, if at multiple locations. It is the expectation that the last program in June will be a culminating event representative of the Writer in Residence’s work produced.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library will promote the Writer in Residence and any presentations, exhibitions, and community programs the Writer participates in during the residency.

The residency period is August 2025 through June 2026.

This residency opportunity is open to Maryland-based poets 21+ years of age.

Current Pratt staff are not eligible to apply.

Application Process

Admission to the WIR program is by online application only. Applications for the 2026 Writer in Residence are open March 1, 2025 through May 1, 2025; however, submissions will be capped at 100. Please apply promptly to guarantee we are able to accept your entry. In 2026, we are seeking a Writer in Residence who specializes in poetry.

Application requirements include the following:

• Writer Statement
• Biography
• Resume/CV (Writers with experience in the publishing industry should include relevant details)
• Three poems (totaling no more than 10 pages)
  • Poems must have been previously published (in print or digital format).
  • Please provide publication details for each poem on a separate page.
  • Self-published work will not be accepted.
• A description of the work you hope to pursue during the residency and what inspires it
• Creative event ideas for children, teens, and adults
• Two professional references

Selection Process

Residents are carefully selected through a multi-round review process in which library staff and external jurors review and score applications.

Notification of applicant status will be made by May 23, 2025. 

Due to the high volume of applications received, we are able to provide individualized feedback only to the top eight applicants who are not selected for the residency.

If you have specific questions about the application or selection processes, please email our team at wir@prattlibrary.org.

Attend the Virtual Information Session

Are you considering applying to the 2026 Hackerman Writer in Residence Program but still have questions? 

Join us for the Writer in Residence Information Session via Zoom to learn more! This information session is being offered on two dates: Tuesday, March 18 and Tuesday, April 1. Learn more about the program and meet our Writer in Residence Program Coordinator. There will be a short presentation followed by a Q&A session. The same information will be presented in each session.

Note: The Writer in Residence Program offers a unique opportunity for writers to engage with the community through creative projects, workshops, and public events. For the 2026 residency, we are seeking a poet to lead monthly programming and contribute to the library's vibrant cultural landscape. This opportunity is open to Maryland-based poets 21+ years of age.