The Center for Fiction has named the nine writers—selected from seven hundred and two applications—chosen for 2016 fellowships, Galley Cat reports.

The fellows for this year, who were selected by Sophie McManus, Tracy O’Neill, and Steve Toltz, include: Daniel DiStefano, Marie Holmes, Enkay Iguh, Swati Khurana, Hafeez Lakhani, Etan Nechin, Zulma Ortiz-Fuentes, Dan Sheehan, and Erin Somers. The fellowship began on June 27, 2016, and will last for a year.

This program is funded by a grant from The Jerome Foundation and contributions from individual donors. Each fellow will receive $5,000, mentorship with a freelance editor, connection with agents who represent emerging writers, a Center for Fiction membership, free admission to all Center events for one year, 30% discount on select writing workshops at the Center, two public readings, and a professional headshot with a photographer for personal publicity use.

The Center for Fiction, located in Manhattan, is the only nonprofit in the US dedicated solely to fiction; they feature workspace, grants, and classes for emerging writers, reading groups, and literacy-focused youth programs. Learn more about the fellows and program from the Center’s statement.

Photo Credit: The Center for Fiction.