Writing Fellows Program
Do you dream of seeing your byline in places like:
The Federalist
CNN
Washington Examiner
USA Today
National Review
The New York Times
Reason Magazine
Your opinion matters–we’ll help you share it with the world.
Applications for the Fall 2023 Writing Fellows are now closed! Sign up here for updates on the Spring 2024 window!
About the Writing Fellows Program
As a writing fellow, you will:
- Learn how to pitch your work and build your portfolio
- Hone your writing skills in policy, opinion, and journalism
- Make connections with nationally known writers and editors
Spring, Summer, and Fall sessions available for Washington, DC-based fellows or virtual fellows.
This program taught me the ins and outs of op-ed writing and pitching. I am much more successful in both areas because of the ample amount of instruction I received from Matt. I recommend this class for anyone who wants to write effectively.
– Caleb Larson, Writing Fellow Alumnus
The Washington, DC-based fellowship is tailored for aspiring writers interested in covering issues and publishing in outlets surrounding our nation’s capital. The DC-based fellowship typically meets in-person on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm ET for six weeks and features prominent writers and editors from the DC area.
The virtual fellowship is held virtually via webcam on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm ET for six weeks and is designed for writers outside the DC-area. This state-based fellowship features well-known writers and editors from both Washington, DC, and across the country.
Both fellowships are small-group writing workshops, allowing fellows to dive in deep with instructors and receive personalized feedback.
Food and beverages are provided during the in-person sessions–unfortunately, we haven’t yet mastered virtual beverages, so virtual fellows will have to BYOB. You must be able to attend all six evening sessions, whether in person or virtual.
Alumni have been published in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Examiner, National Review, Reason, Forbes, the Daily Caller, and many other publications. They have gone on to work as reporters and opinion writers at prominent media outlets, as staffers in the White House and on Capitol Hill, and as senior fellows at think-tanks.
[The program] gave me the know-how and courage to get published, to seek out new sources of information, and to use my voice to make a difference.
– Beth Bailey, Freelance Writer
Meet The Writing Fellows Manager!
Matt Purple is a senior editor at Regnery Publishing. Before that he had a long career in right-of-center journalism, including editorial positions at the Spectator, the American Conservative, and Rare Politics. His work, which focuses on politics and foreign policy, has appeared in National Review, Reason, the National Interest, the Daily Caller, and many other publications. He lives in Alexandria with his wife Claire and son Tommy.
Ramesh Ponnuru speaks to Writing Fellows
Past speakers and guests have included:
Mollie Hemingway, Editor-in-Chief at The Federalist
Tim Carney, Senior Political Correspondent at the Washington Examiner, AEI Senior Fellow
Katherine Mangu-Ward, Editor-in-Chief at Reason
Alexis Simendinger, National Correspondent at The Hill
Anneke Green, Senior Director at White House Writers Group
Peter Suderman, Features Editor at Reason
Ben Domenech, Co-Founder of The Federalist, Editor-at-Large of The Spectator World
Romina Boccia, Director of Budget and Entitlement policy at the Cato Institute
Julian Sanchez, former Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, former Washington Editor of Ars Techinica
AF got me my first byline in a national paper.
– Philip Wegmann, White House/2020 Reporter, RealClearPolitics
Important Dates – 2023
Fall 2023
- Fall 2023 applications are closed! Stay tuned for news on the Spring 2024 window, and sign up here for updates!
How to Apply:
Applicants will need to submit:
- Completed application
- A resume
- We encourage 2 published writing samples (no more than 1,000 words each)
A letter of recommendation may be sent to [email protected], but is not required.