Today the Literary Arts Fund announced the first recipients of a new flagship literary prize: The Stylus Award, created to honor nonprofits that play essential roles in the literary landscape.
The prize aims to spotlight the many organizations that keep the field principled and beloved. True to that aim, the shortlist was formed from writers’ nominations; to assemble it, the Literary Arts Fund consulted dozens of authors across the United States about which groups have propelled their writing.
This year’s trio of winners spans a small publisher, a renowned literary magazine, and a beloved local collective. The honorees are Graywolf Press, One Story, and The Porch Writers’ Collective.
Each organization will receive an unrestricted cash grant of $250,000 to advance its work. In a moment when budgets are tightening and arts funding vanishes in some places, this grant lands as timely and meaningful support.
As One Story founders stated in a collective email sent this afternoon, this is a watershed moment for the magazine.
As a nonprofit devoted to helping short‑story writers—through publication, education, and mentorship—we view this prize as a validation of our mission and the broader impact that the literary arts have on writers’ creative paths. It also serves as a springboard for One Story’s next chapter: expanding our strength, resources, and capacity to do our best work and to plan beyond immediate needs toward a more ambitious long‑term vision.
Join in recognizing the literary organizations that enable excellent writing—and foster a vibrant writing community.
