March 3, 2025 deadline
General Expert Panel comments
Comments made by the panel during the assessment of applications are outlined below. Please note that these comments provide a summary of the panel's assessment and do not necessarily relate to every application submitted to this deadline. The panel does not provide individual comments.
Project description
- Overall, the panel found many applications were vague and lacked specific detail to show where the project was heading. It is vital applicants present a clear project plan.
- Name your project with a specific title and not a generic label like “AFA Literary Arts Application.” Please also name files according to the attachment naming format as per the guidelines.
- If submitting a graphic novel project, make sure you identify clearly who is writing and who is creating the illustrations. Please distinguish between the amount of time spent on the visual and writing aspects of the project.
- It is important to identify accurately what stage you are at in your writing process, e.g., first draft, final draft, polish, and what elements of your draft you are planning to revisit and why.
- It is essential for applicants to make a compelling argument for including literary activities like travel, conferences, workshops, and courses in their projects. Rationale should demonstrate how these activities are vital to the applicant’s project/career development.
- While the project description should include a plot summary of the project you are applying for, as applicable, applicants are also required to include the following:
- Objectives
- Proposed activities with timelines
- Expected results and benefits
- The panel appreciated project descriptions that included estimated word counts rather than page counts for the project.
- Applications should only include the requested items. Addition of extra materials or documents does not necessarily strengthen an application.
Budget
- It is important to submit a clear, realistic budget. Use notes to explain units, quotes, how expense estimates were arrived at, for example. Clear budgets were appreciated.
- The panel found it useful when budgets included documentation supporting confirmed and estimated costs.
Support material
- The panel appreciated writing samples that were from the project being proposed. If a sample is not available from the proposed project, then applicants are asked to submit a sample from the same genre. Please provide context for the sample and indicate if it has been published or not.
- The panel appreciated writing samples that were consistent with the audience the project was aimed at. For example, a Young Adult novel or children’s book project should include writing samples of completed work or work in progress for that audience. For children’s books, please indicate the target age of the work.
- The panel appreciated substantiated personal connections to the subject matter with clear rationale for undertaking artistic work in a culturally specific area or personal subject matter.
- It is helpful for publication dates and publishers to be included on CVs and resumes where lists of previous works are given. The panel found it beneficial when details about type or work, e.g. novel, article, blog, etc. were included.
- When subject matter experts, editors, Traditional Knowledge Keepers, etc. are being consulted, please include sufficient detail for the panel to understand their credentials, or equivalent, and why they are the right choice for the project.