Julian Clement Chase Creative Writing in Washington Prize
The GW Department of English awards the annual Julian Clement Chase Creative Writing in Washington Prize in recognition of outstanding prose written by a student.
Implementing the intentions of the founders, the prize recognizes and honors creative writing that demonstrates appetite, boldness, and recognition of the Washington, DC community in undergraduate original work.
Award Details
The awarded work must incorporate the District of Columbia, utilizing the city as a backdrop or for thematic purposes in the narrative.
Fiction and creative nonfiction are both accepted. Fiction submissions may include short stories and flash fiction. Creative nonfiction submissions may include essays, feature stories, profiles and long-form literary journalism.
- Prize amount: $1,000
- Deadline: March 15th, 2025
- Administered by: Creative Writing Program, English Department
- Contact: lpageinc
gwu [dot] edu (Lisa Page)
Application Instructions and Dates
- How to Apply
Submissions for application must be received by March 15, 2025. Send submissions electronically to engldept
gwu [dot] edu (engldept[at]gwu[dot]edu). The subject heading of the email should read "Julian Clement Chase Creative Writing Award." - Judging and Awarding
Judges for the prize are members of the GW Creative Writing faculty. The winner is announced annually in April.
- Award Presentation
The awardee will be asked to present their fiction or creative nonfiction at the prize event, in the form of a public reading from an excerpt of the work in the fall semester following the submission date.
- Potential Ideas for Creative Writing in Washington Prize
Washington, DC is central to the narrative. Engagement with the city is critical.
- Fiction writers might use a specific neighborhood as backdrop or create a main character living in Washington, DC, including details about the city and its spirit.
- Creative nonfiction writers might write a profile of a Washington-based individual or highlight the city’s cultural influences and complexities.
History
The Chase prizes honor Sgt. Julian Clement Chase, a Washington, D.C. native who loved this city. Born at the Columbia Hospital for Women, he attended D.C. public schools from kindergarten through high school, graduating in 2008. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in Afghanistan, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with combat Distinguishing Device for Valor. During his second tour of duty, he applied to GW and eagerly anticipated returning to his hometown to enroll as a freshman. On Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, at age 22, he was killed in action in Helmand Province and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, and admission to GW.
Julian loved his hometown–from Rock Creek Park to Ben’s Chili Bowl–and relished exploring it. He loved writing, photography, history, and music. To honor Julian’s spirit of home-grown adventure, his family established the Chase Prizes to recognize GW students who explore D.C. with the intelligence and exuberance that he did.
Read the Dedication from the Prize Founders
Additional Julian Clement Chase Prizes
In addition to the Julian Clement Chase Creative Writing in Washington Prize, GW also offers two other versions of the Clement prize: for research writing and for community impact. Visit the respective pages for more information and application details.
Research Writing on the District of Columbia
Housed in the University Writing Program, the Julian Clement Chase Prize for Research Writing on the District of Columbia celebrates bold writing that creates and shares knowledge and engages with audiences about life in D.C.
Community Impact in the District of Columbia
The Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service awards the annual Julian Clement Chase Prize for Community Impact in the District of Columbia to honor GW students for excellence in community service work.