The Leon B. Burstein/MWA-NY Scholarship for Mystery Writing

1. What is the purpose of the Burstein Scholarship?

The purpose of the scholarship is to inspire aspiring mystery writers by offering financial support to writers who want to take a specific class, attend a conference, or do specific research as demonstrably necessary to a mystery work they are creating. It was named for Leon B. Burstein, an avid mystery fan, that more work in his favorite genre might be created.

2. Is this an official MWA-sponsored scholarship?

The New York chapter of Mystery Writers of America is managing the scholarship, but the scholarship money is donated by Leon Burstein’s son, Dan Burstein. It does not come out of MWA funds.

3. How long will the scholarship go on?

Dan Burstein has donated finite funds for the scholarship. When we run out, the scholarship will end, but when that happens depends on the number of scholarships and amounts awarded each session.

4. Who is eligible to apply?

An applicant may be, but is not required to be a member of MWA. Associate and affiliate members of MWA are eligible to apply. Active members are ineligible. Non-members are eligible to apply as long as they don’t meet the criteria for active membership. (For a definition of active, affiliate, and associate memberships, click here.)

To be eligible to apply, an applicant must live in Connecticut, Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, or West Virginia.

5. How many scholarships will be awarded?

Whether scholarships are awarded in 2022, and the number of scholarships, falls within the discretion of MWA-NY, subject to receipt of eligible, worthy applicants. In no event will more than two scholarships be awarded in 2022.

6. How much is the scholarship?

Each scholarship is awarded for actual expenses itemized in the budget submitted by the awardee. The amount of each scholarship falls within the discretion of MWA-NY based on available funds. In no event will any scholarship exceed $1,000.

7. What are the application requirements? 

Applicants will submit information and a writing sample, as detailed in the application document at the bottom of this page.

The information required includes identifying information necessary to confirm eligibility and a brief personal statement including a rationale as to how the scholarship will help the applicant to achieve his/her writing goals. The applicant must identify how the funds will be used and an estimated budget (i.e., the specific class, conference, or other research activity, including travel). Activities or events occurring prior to the announcement of the award will not be eligible for consideration.

The writing sample should be an excerpt from a work-in-progress. It may be fiction or nonfiction, book, short story, play or screenplay, adult, YA, or juvenile, but must be related to mystery writing. The writing sample must not exceed 5,000 words.

8. How will applications be judged?

A panel of judges, selected from among the active members of the New York chapter, will consider both the quality of the writing sample and the proposed use of the award in the selection of the scholarship winners.

9. What are the time frames for the scholarship?

The submission period will open on April 18, 2022, and will close on October 10, 2022.

10. How will the chapter promote the scholarship?

The scholarship announcement and application process are posted on the chapter website. The chapter will make announcements in communications by email and in posts on the chapter’s online social sites. Information about the scholarship will be distributed by chapter members to area writing programs.

11. Who is Leon B. Burstein?

Leon B. Burstein was born in the Bronx in 1915, lived his adult life in California until his death in 1991, and always loved a good mystery. The Leon B. Burstein/MWA-NY Scholarship for Mystery Writing was launched in 2015 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.

12. If I get the scholarship, what do I have to do?

Recipients agree to acknowledge the Leon B. Burstein/MWA-NY Scholarship for Mystery Writing in anything they publish as a result of the award. They also agree to write, and submit to MWA-NY, a brief description of how they used the funds provided to them.

13. How do I apply?

Here is the detailed application: 

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