Shearing

For emerging and distinguished writers who have published at least one book with a trade or literary press, this fellowship includes:

compensation of $46,500 paid over a nine-month period;
a nine-month-long letter of appointment;
eligibility for optional health coverage;
office space in the BMI offices on the campus of UNLV;
housing (fellows cover some utilities) in a unique and vibrant arts complex in the bustling district of downtown Las Vegas—home to The Writer’s Block, our city’s beloved independent bookstore; and
recognition at BMI as a “Shearing Fellow.”

While there are no formal teaching requirements, this is a “working fellowship” located in Las Vegas. BMI’s visiting fellows will maintain office hours (10 per week), and will offer regular service to the community. In addition to the primary goal of furthering one’s own writing during their term in Las Vegas, visiting fellows are expected to engage in a substantial way with BMI’s community, in ways that connect to their interests and skills. Upon acceptance into the program, each fellow will craft a plan in partnership with BMI. This is equally weighted against the writing sample and proposed literary project for the residency. Here are some examples of activities a visiting fellow might pursue:

Offer readings, craft talks, and other public presentations to the readers and writers of UNLV and Southern Nevada.
Offer workshops or seminars.
Curate events or programs.
Provide support to one of BMI’s publications (e.g. judge contests or consult on editorial processes).
Please feel free to move beyond these examples in your application – BMI wants to find new ways to serve the Las Vegas community, especially beyond the UNLV campus.

Application details

You will need to submit:

A one- to three-page personal statement,* which includes 1) your interest in being part of the Las Vegas literary community, 2) a practical description of how you envision fulfilling your service hours and engaging the Las Vegas community, and 3) the writing project(s) you will work on while in residency.
A writing sample (10 pages maximum,* double-spaced, 12 pt. font).
A résumé or CV.

*Please respect the committee’s time by observing these guidelines and page limits.

Finalists will be asked to send copies of their books. (Applicants must have at least one book published by a trade or literary press.) Candidates are selected by a committee of staff and community members at BMI.

Shearing FAQs

The deadline for the current application cycle — applications for a Shearing Fellowship that runs from fall 2026 to spring 2027 — is Sept. 30, 2025.

No.

While this fellowship is for emerging and early-career writers, candidates must have published at least one book by a trade or literary press to be eligible. Authors with only self-published books are not eligible for consideration.

Yes. Applicants with forthcoming books are welcome to apply, or can defer their application to the following year.

Applicants will be notified early in the new year if their application has made it to the finalist stage. Shearing Fellows will be selected no later than April.

As of the 2026-27 Fellowship cycle, BMI will select two fellows for the same, nine-month term, which will last the length of the UNLV academic calendar (8/24/26 – 05/15/27). Fellows have access to their residential apartments a week prior to their official employment start date and a week after their end date.

Fellows are expected to be in Las Vegas for the full term of their fellowships, but BMI expects they may have commitments to short-term travel during the fellowship. BMI also offers little to no programming during winter break.

Yes, BMI Shearing fellows are provided housing, adjacent to other artists, in downtown Las Vegas. Fellows are responsible to pay for their own electricity and internet.

Shearing Fellows receive a total salary of $46,500 paid during the academic year. They are considered part-time employees hired through a “letter of appointment” contract. Fellows are paid on the first of each month and partial months of employment result in a prorated paycheck. Please note: all UNLV employees, including BMI’s visiting fellows, are subject to mandatory retirement withholdings (Learn more about UNLV’s FICA Alternative Plan here).

BMI’s visiting fellows are asked to maintain regular office hours (no fewer than 10 hours per week). In addition, fellows are asked to fulfill BMI’s service requirements; these community engagement responsibilities are flexible and custom-tailored to fellows’ particular interests and projects. Applicants should plan to propose ideas for community engagement in their application; it is an important part of how each application will be evaluated.