Waterston Desert Writing Prize Submission

Waterston Desert Writing Prize

Open January 1 – May 1, 2021 

The Prize annually honors literary nonfiction that illustrates artistic excellence, sensitivity to place, and desert literacy — with the desert as both subject and setting. Inspired by author and poet Ellen Waterston’s love of Central Oregon’s High Desert, the Prize recognizes the vital role deserts play worldwide. Emerging, mid-career and established nonfiction writers are invited to apply. Previous applicants who have not won an award are eligible to submit a new project. The Prize is awarded to a nonfiction full-length book proposal.

The Award

The Prize will recognize one writer with a $2,500 cash award, a residency at PLAYA at Summer Lake and a reading and reception at the High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon.

How to Apply

All applicants must use the online application button below.

The submission window for the 2021 Waterston Desert Writing Prize is closed. Please stay tuned for the Finalist and Winner announcement!

Only those applicants whose submissions follow the guidelines correctly will be eligible for review. Further, applicants should submit only the specified materials. Any extra materials included with the proposal, and not requested in these guidelines, will not be reviewed. 

​Step 1. Fill out the online application form. This is the only location where identifying information (your name, address, email) should appear.

​Step 2. Upload ONE Word or PDF file.
Combine the three parts of the application described below into one document and do not place your name or other identifying information on any page of the document.

  1. Biographical Statement (no more than one double-spaced page in 12 point type )

Provide a brief narrative (not a resume or vita) summarizing your educational and professional background, writing experience and publication history. Do not disclose your identity in this information. Submissions with resumes or vitae will be rejected. Please also answer these questions:

  • Where did you hear about the Waterston Desert Writing Prize?
  • Why are you interested in working in the desert?
  • How will a Waterston Desert Writing Prize award benefit your work?
  • Describe your desert experience(s).
  • Demonstrate a commitment to making a meaningful contribution to the body of desert literature.
  1. Proposal Title and Description (no more than one double-spaced page in 12 point type )

Please note that neither the particular desert region to be visited nor the length of time to be spent there are specified by the Prize. Budget information is not required.

  • Proposal title
  • Describe your writing project
  • Where, in the desert, will you go to research your project?
  • What is your plan for field work?
  • How do you plan to sustain the project to completion as a book?

 Please explain specifically how the project will:

  • Add new perspectives and make a meaningful contribution to the body of desert literature
  • Advance desert literacy
  1. Writing Sample (no more than 10 double-spaced pages in 12 point type and one inch margins)

You may submit published, unpublished, or work in progress. The work must be that for which you have sole artistic ownership and responsibility.

​While you are welcome to submit any nonfiction sample, the Prize only considers literary nonfiction proposals about deserts for the award. It is recommended that you submit work that is part of your intended final project or closely represents it in content and style. Writing samples about deserts and natural settings are more likely to be reviewed favorably. Writing samples that are in other genres such as poetry, fiction or juvenile literature will be disqualified.

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Award recipients are asked to agree to the following:

  • At the time the award is accepted, the recipient will submit a photograph and grant permission for information submitted in the proposal to be used for publicity purposes.
  • Award recipient must grant permission for the High Desert Museum to publicize the award.
  • Award recipient should make every effort to attend the award ceremony and reception. The 2021 ceremony will occur in September 2021 in Bend, Oregon.
  • Award recipient must be open to visits and/or interviews by the Prize board and High Desert Museum staff.
  • Accepting the Waterston Desert Writing Prize award obliges the recipient to provide a brief project evaluation by the end of the year of the award.
  • Award recipient will acknowledge the Prize and High Desert Museum in any publications generated from the Award project; language will be provided.
  • While not required, the Prize appreciates receiving a sample of the writing generated as part of the project to post on the Waterston Desert Writing Prize and/or High Desert Museum website.