Cypress Fellowship
The Cypress Fellowship is a program for emerging writers committed to reverence for Christ and the serious development of their craft. Fellows are afforded the opportunity to spend two years refining their work in community under the guidance of skilled writers. Though similar to a low-residency Master of Fine Arts in creative writing, the program offers no degree.
Vision
The Cypress Fellowship exists to seek justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God through the art of writing. Artistic freedom cannot be severed, without damage, from responsibility. Therefore, we seek a chastened artistic freedom, reconciling reverence for God with the grace and responsibility to write truthfully and well.
Founders & Advisors
John Harper, Founding Principal
Brett Bradshaw, Founding Director
Bret Lott, Founding Faculty
Bret Lott is a distinguished author and creative writing teacher. He taught creative writing at the College of Charleston for many years and has published numerous works of fiction receiving national recognition. Lott has served as the editor of The Southern Review as well as a member of the National Council on the Arts.
Steven Garber, Advisor
Steven Garber is the Senior Fellow for Vocation and the Common Good for the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, and the Economics of Mutuality Alliance. He is the author of several books, including Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good, and The Seamless Life: A Tapestry of Love and Learning, Worship and Work.
Program
The Cypress Fellowship is an apprenticeship in literary fiction. We seek excellence in craftsmanship and writing as art, taking seriously the claims of the Christian faith and doing justice to the human condition.
In Brief
2 years of work in community under the guidance of experienced writers
4 semesters of writing and reading
4 weekend writing residencies (3 nights/2 days; Thursday-Sunday)
Fellows have summers off for self-directed writing and reading
Responsibilities
The Cypress Fellowship is designed to develop serious writing within the context of a writer’s needful responsibilities and obligations. Writing, reading, and program attendance are the fellowship’s only responsibilities.
Fellows
Writing fellowships in fiction shall be awarded to writers who demonstrate a serious, thoughtful, and attentive vision for their craft with a talent that can be developed. 5 fellows will be accepted into the program each year. A full cohort consists of 5 first year fellows and 5 second year fellows.
As a fellowship, program costs are underwritten.
Fellows must pay for travel and books.
Eligibility
Anyone who is interested in the Cypress Fellowship is welcome to apply.
Fellows must affirm The Apostles’ Creed as a statement of their core beliefs.
Fellows must be at least 18 years old.
How to Apply
To apply for the Cypress Fellowship, please contact:
Brett Bradshaw
brett.bradshaw@proton.me
214.714.7074