2026 Kundiman Fiction Retreat Application

In order to mentor and build community among Asian American and Pacific Islander (“AAPI”) writers, Kundiman sponsors an annual creative writing Retreat. Their 2026 Retreat will be held from June 15th to June 20th at Pratt Institute’s Brooklyn Campus in New York. Between December 15th and January 15th, apply to the Kundiman Retreat by sending 5 pages of prose (1,250 words maximum) that showcase your work and a brief cover letter. There are no minimum or maximum word counts for the cover letter, but they generally receive cover letters that are around three paragraphs long (around 250–350 words). Please use a 12-point standard font, double-space your writing sample, and do not exceed these length guidelines (our application readers will not read past the page limit).

In your cover letter, please describe what you would like to find at the Kundiman Retreat, your interest in being part of such a space, and how you would hope to contribute to the community. Rather than listing your literary accomplishments or any institutions you may have attended, please keep in mind that they are interested in getting to know you and your writing practice, where you are in your writing journey, and what you would like to contribute and receive from attending the Retreat.

Please make sure personal information (such as your name, titles of any publications, or other information that would clearly identify you, including literary accomplishments or institutions you may have attended) is not on your cover letter or writing sample, including in the document’s margins or the filename.

Requirements

Anyone who self-identifies as AAPI and is at least 18 years old can apply to the Retreat.

Application Instructions

FEES

The application fee is $25.

The tuition fee for their Retreat is $375 (room and board are provided). They are proud to be able to offer subsidized costs to all Fellows thanks to the support of grants and donations; without such grants and donations, the full cost of the Retreat for each Fellow would be $2,500.