Writer in Residence opportunity at the James Merrill House, Stonington CT

17th October 2019

Writer in residence opportunity at the James Merrill House, Stonington CT. Closes 8th January 2020l

Sarah Dove, Eden McDowell and TF’s Tina

I was catching up recently with Sarah Dove who is on the committee of the James Merrill Residency programme, and Eden McDowell, who will be working on the archive of the James Merrill House – based in Stonington, Connecticut, an old Portuguese fishing village with a lot of historic points. It is situated between New York and Boston and from the point of the borough you can see Rhode Island.

James Merrill was a Pulitzer prize (1977) winning poet who lived and wrote in Stonington at 107 Water Street. The house is now a designated historic landmark.

The writer in residence stays in the Jackson apartment (named after James Merrill’s partner, David Jackson) which is located directly across the hall from Merrill’s apartment on the 3rd floor. It is a charming living space with living/dining area, galley kitchen, bedroom and study. The writer in residence also has full daily access to James Merrill’s apartment in order to work, read and gain inspiration, with its gorgeous and eccentric decor – the apartment has been maintained as it was during Merrill’s lifetime, with wonderful views across the water (AND it includes access his private library with a secret door).

The house is usually occupied by just one writer at a time for stays of one month in Autumn and Winter, or 3 months during Spring and Summer.

Writers are supported by the James Merrill House committee – local residents ensure that the writer is well supported during their residency. The writer is included in local events, food evenings, sight seeing – as little or as much as desired. There is also a monthly stipend for the residency.

Applications are now open until 8th January 2020 for residencies.

“There’s not one writer who has been disappointed by the experience. The writers find the time to be productive and are always sad when they have to leave. And all feel very welcomed by the community” Sarah Dove, Committee Member.

Writer in residence opportunity at the James Merrill House CT. International applications welcome! Find our more here and apply here

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