If you’re writing dark fiction you may wonder about your opportunities to do it professionally. Maybe you write because it is your passion, or you might think that it is an amazing opportunity to draw your imagination. Maybe it’s a story that is extremely intriguing and highly terrifying and leaves a lot of sense of dread. This skill is something that you need to one day monetize – especially if you are serious being a horror writer.

If you are an aspiring writer and you want to be the master of your own horror story, The Horror Writers Association (HWA) offers you a variety of scholarships that provides you with a wide array of opportunities to pursue a career as a horror fiction, and non – fiction writers. Also, the non – profit membership organization provides an endowment program for libraries looking to expand their young adult reading program.

The Horror Writers Association Scholarships

The Horror Writers Association Scholarship is open to all horror writers and designated to assist the professional development of horror writers. The HWA is worth $2500, which may be spent on approved writing education over two years, following the granting of the scholarship.

Recipients of HWA scholarships, grants, and endowments 2022 include:

HWA Poetry Showcase

The Horror Writers Associations presents their ninth annual Poetry Showcase, featuring the best in never-before-published dark verse. Edited by Angela Yuriko Smith, this year’s featured poets are Stephanie M. Wytovich, Geneve Flynn, and Naomi Simone Borwein, plus dozens of poems from the talented members of the Horror Writers Association.

The Horror Writers Association Scholarship

Rob Flumignan (pen name: Rob Cornell) 

A native of the Detroit area, Cornell has spent a handful of years to self – publish over a dozen novels, including two dark fantasy sagas – The Lockman Chronicles and the Unturned series and dabbled in the mystery and crime genres, including a three – book series featuring a private eye and karaoke bar owner, named – Ridley Brone.His most recent completed novel, Shadow Full of Stars tells a story of a “life transplant” offered by an unsettling stranger sends a suicidal musician to an isolated and oppressive utopia designed to keep its residents happy at all costs – will be published sometime in 2023. Check out some of Cornel’s work on RobCornellsbooks.com

The Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship 

The Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship is open to all female or identified women writers. Similar to the HWA, the scholarship is worth $2500 and is given annually and may be spent on approved writing education over two years. Here are the list(s) of winners:

Mary Berman

A Philadelphia – based science fiction, fantasy and horror writer; is an active member of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) and Horror Writers Association (HWA). Berman has had a extensive dual degree such as; MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Mississippi and BA in Writing Seminar from Johns Hopkins University. Berman is well known for her speculative fiction writing style and her ability in combining the juxtaposition of horror and humor and have been published on PseudoPod, Fireside, Weird Horror, Shoreline of Infinity and more. If you are interested in any of her works, check out her website : MtgBerman.com or visit her IG page @mtgberman.

The Dark Poetry Scholarship

Supplement to the Horror Writers Association Scholarship and Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley. Dark Poetry Scholarship is designated to assist new and upcoming writers in the professional development of Horror and/or Dark Fantasy Poets. The scholarship is worth $1250 and may be spent on approved writing education over two years. Here are the list(s) of winners:

Tania Chen

An upcoming Chinese – Mexican queer writer explores her story through the lens of horror, death as well as the idea of human connections As an avid young reader, she has published numerous works, including Strange Horizons, Pleiades Magazine, Apparition Lit, Baffling including her most notable work; Unfettered Hexes , which is published by Neon Hemlock. Tania is also a graduate of the Clarion West Novella Bootcamp workshop of Jan/Feb 2021 and currently work as an assistant editor for Uncanny Magazine. Tania is usually up for discussions including horror – related and crime enthusiasts’ topic. If you are looking for someone with the same passion/ interest, check out Tania’s official twitter:  @archistratego

The Rocky Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund for Non – fiction Writing

Rocky Wood Memorial Scholarship Fund for Non – fiction Writing is a joint – award partnership between The Horror Writers Association (HWA), the premier organization of horror and dark fantasy writers and publishers alongside with the Iconic Bram Stoke Awards. It is designated to provide an endowed fund for research and writing nonfiction related to horror and dark fantasy literature. Unlike other scholarships, the amount of scholarship is flexible and is not applicable for the writers who seek for general education funds. However, this could be an amazing opportunity for writers who intends to advance their knowledge specifying on nonfiction project related stories & horror stories. Here are the list(s) of the winners:

Gillian King – Cargile

an award – winning short story writer and podcaster. She is a graduate of Southern Illinois University – which she earns both degree for BA in film production and MFA in Creative Writing. Passionate about creating the most exciting stories, digital media and events; Gillian King – Cargile is a member of the Horror Writer Association and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She has since published numerous popular short stories including “The Dead Kid”, in which she received a Pushcart Prize Special Mention and the latter was adapted into an award – winning short film and also Not The Worst Thing Ever! A Gross, Giggly Guide to Dealing with Diabetes. Her works have appeared in various publications including; McSweeney’s Interest Tendencies, Carve Magazine, Everyday Fiction, River Styx, and more. Her most recent notable work They’re Coming to Get You, Barbara’ A Gal’s Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Horror” earns her this award. The novel explores the story of female survivor’s role in horror and brings up the discussion of both feminist film theory and irreverent commentary. In everything that she does, Gillian King – Cargile seeks humour and creativity for the love of reading and learning. If you are interested in getting to know her, visit GillianKingCargile.com

Louis Zedda – Sampson

is an Australian writer, researcher and editor who has since edited/co -edited several anthologies books. She was awarded as a finalist of AHWA Shadow Awards for her work in Trickster’s Treats 4: Coming Buried or Not (2020). Her writing in the horror history of Australia earned her the category for this award.  Louis has just debuted her book called “Bowl the Maidens Over: Our First Women Cricketers in 2021, which tells a history of Australian women cricketers’ first games in the 1870s. For more information about her journey & experiences as a writer, you can visit LouisZeddaSampson.com

The Diversity Grants

The Diversity Grants is open to underrepresented, diverse people who have a keen interest in the horror writing genre. According to its website, it is not limited to writers, editors, reviewers and library workers. The scholarship is worth $500, thanks to the generosity of multiple donors, which may be spent on approved expenses for a period of two years. Here are the list(s) of winners:

Chinaza Eziaghighala (she/her)

is an interdisciplinary medical doctor & writer dedicated her interest to health, film and literature. Not only passionate about writing, Chinaza has been previously featured on WHO Africa and collaborated with various Healthcare brands and NGO which influences her writing. As an active member of SFWA, Chinaza’s works include the forthcoming BSFA’s Fission #2 Vol 1 Anthology, Mythaxis, Planet Scumm, Metastellar,and more. She currently works as a Screenwriter for Africa Magic/Multichoice and is currently training with Jungle Film Works to be a Film Developmental Executive. She will have her upcoming debut novella, Chimera published in 2024 by Nosetouch Press. For more information about her, you can follow her journey by checking her website ChinazaEziaghighala.disha.page

Darcy Maria Hughes (e/em/eir/eirs/emself)

is a self – proclaimed poet, fiction writer and TTRPG designer/streamer. Known for his nickname, E is also an editor using various pseudonym with around 18 names – including Emily Flummox, Tristissima & Skunkheart) and has competed nationally twice during E’s slam career. Moreover, E has had an writing accolated on the notable poet called “Sacred Purification Ritual Using Your Own Urine Instead of Water” which identifies with the divinity of the disgusting. Other works from E includes; Civilization Stained These Young Things and The Fog of Time Means We’re Everywhere. Check out some of his work on Twitter: @tristissima or Instagram; @bimbomagick_sasquatchstyle

Naching T. Kassa (she/her) 

is a horror writer. As an avid fans of horror stories, she is a proud member of HWA, Mystery of America and several Sherlock Holmes Scions. Naching currently serves as an assistant at Crystal Lake Publishing and resides in Eastern Washington State with her husband, Dan and their three children. Naching has been showing her interest to build a Horror fanbase community and is open for various discussions regarding horror and mystery – related contents. If you are up to be one of the member, visit her page on Nachingkassa.wordpress.com or visit her Twitter on @nachingkassa

Ian Muneshwar (he/they)

is a Boston – based writer and teacher. Ian has published numerous short – fiction works such as Strange Horizone, Nightmare and The Dark – and has been selected for The Year’s Best Weird Fiction and Year’s Best Dark Fantasy & Horror. Not only known for his writing, Ian is also a writing teacher in the Transitional Year Program at Brandeis University, the Experimental College at Tufts University and Clarion West’s online programming courses. His most recent work – ‘Dick Pig’ is currently featured on Author Spotlight in Nightmare Magazine. Visit his work on IanMuneshwar.com for more info.

Memee Taylor (she/her)

is a Louisiana – raised, Los Angeles – based author and screenwriter of psychological thrillers and horror. If you are looking for a mystery and horror story with a slight creature feature with an added humour element, Memee is a best author for you! Memee has had her horror short storied published in the anthology, The Memory Eater, and on the Yahoo Contributors Network. She is also the current July 2022 Winner of Roadmap Career Writers Program Diversity Initiative with her horror TV Pilot, The Vessel. Other than being an author and screenwriter, her other interest includes a running race in which her favourite race will be local Run For Your Lives 5K.

Young Adults Write Now Endowment Program

The Horror Writers Association (HWA), the premier organization of writers and publishers of horror and dark fantasy and home of the iconic Bram Stoker Awards®, will be offering endowments to libraries to fund teen writing programs as part of its ongoing dedication to furthering young adult literacy.

The Young Adults Write Now fund will provide up to five (5) endowments of $250 each per year for selected libraries to establish new, or support ongoing, writing programs. Here are the selected libraries:

McCraken County Public Library – Paducah, KY

Telltale Stories, administered by Justin Brasher, Library Director

Woodland Hills Academy Library – Woodlands Hills, CA

Teen Wolfpack Horror Writer’s Club, administered by Neva Galvez, Teacher Librarian

The program is currently open to United States libraries, but will be expanded in the future to include other countries, as part of the HWA’s global presence. Membership in the HWA is not a requirement.

The Dennis Etchinson Young Writers Scholarship

The Dennis Etchinson Young Writers Scholarship is open to students of grades 10 – 12 (and/or equivalent, if home schooled) who has a keen interest in writing horror/dark fiction story. Student must provide a selection of work (one completed short story over 1,000 words, 3 chapters from a novel in progress or 4 poems). Furthermore, they have to submit a statement letter with an education plan in mind and  at least one reference letter from their instructor (s). The winner has the opportunity to apply $500 towards college tuition and to support education expenses in relation to online Horror University courses from HWA.

• Currently, the name of its winner is strictly confidential due to its young age. His/her name is likely not be released due to privacy laws.

Once again, Congratulation to these amazing and fantastic writers! look forward your amazing contributions!

Learn more about the  Horror Writers Association

The HWA is a nonprofit organization of writers and publishing professionals around the world, dedicated to promoting dark literature and the interests of those who write it. The HWA aims to encourage public interest in and foster an appreciation of horror and dark literature — as well as reading, in general — for adults, teens, and children.

To learn more about the HWA, visit their website here.