Your Questions Answered – 2025 Sprinng Writing Fellowship Q&A
The Sprinng Writing Fellowship (SWF) is a FREE and intensive 6-week online mentorship program for developing Nigerian, Ghanaian, Liberian, and South African writers with great potential and willingness to learn. The medium of communication between the mentors and mentees throughout this program will be via email, phone calls, WhatsApp, and text messages. In addition, all mentees will be provided weekly airtime and access to 1-year MasterClass membership as part of the program.
2025 Sprinng Writing Fellowship Q&A Highlight
We thank our incredible speakers, Timi Sanni and Sarah Adeyemo, for sharing their experiences and insights. Their journey through and beyond the fellowship has been truly inspiring, and we’re grateful for their time and wisdom.
If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out. We look forward to seeing your application and supporting your writing journey!
Interview with Timi Sanni and Sarah Adeyemo
Q: Timi, when did you know you wanted to become a writer, and why? Also, what did you study for your undergraduate degree, and how does it relate (or not) to your writing?
Interestingly, as much as I can remember, I've always wanted to be a writer. When I was about 7 years old, I had just finished reading a series of small books called Platinum Books. I enjoyed the stories so much that I decided I wanted to create something similar. I began writing stories and little books. My interest in writing has always been there, fueled by reading, exploring, and wanting to understand more about life. For me, writing wasn't about one pivotal moment but a steady, natural passion that grew with time.
I studied Biochemistry and graduated last year. While my degree isn’t directly related to writing, I’ve always been a writer at heart. Even though I loved science, I decided to pursue both passions. I found inspiration in books like The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, where Arthur Conan Doyle balanced his career as a doctor and writer. That showed me it was possible to excel in different fields.
Q: Sarah, tell us an interesting, fun fact about you and your undergraduate academic background. What did you study, and why?
I’m quite introspective and value solitude. Also, I really enjoy eating fried eggs—something about them brings me joy! Academically, I’m currently in my penultimate year studying English and Literature at the Federal University. My fascination with language drove me to pursue this path. I believe language is the vehicle for literature, and it’s been an amazing journey so far.
Q: Timi, you were a fellow in the second cohort of the Sprinng Writing Fellowship over seven years ago. What goals or circumstances prompted you to sign up for a writing fellowship in 2018?
I started writing at a young age, but by 2018, I felt stuck. I had just graduated from secondary school and hadn’t yet started university. While writing stories, I didn’t have anyone to provide constructive feedback. I joined writing groups on Facebook but realized I needed deeper mentorship. One night, while scrolling through Instagram, I came across the call for the Sprinng Writing Fellowship. It felt like an answered prayer. I applied that same night, spending hours on my application without worrying about the possibility of rejection. I just knew I had to try.
Q: Sarah, how did you learn about the fellowship, and what inspired you to apply?
I have writer friends who keep me updated on opportunities. When the call for the fellowship came, they encouraged me to apply. One of my lecturers also supported me, and seeing the profiles of past fellows inspired me. I noticed they had achieved so much, and I thought, “If they can, I can too.” Despite my anxieties, I submitted my application on the deadline.
Q: Timi, a lot has changed in your biography since completing the fellowship. What efforts have you made to achieve your accomplishments?
I’ve learned that persistence is key. I sought opportunities to improve my craft, from masterclasses to exploring new genres. I’ve been consistent with submissions, even after rejections. I emphasize never saying no to opportunities and always striving for growth. The fellowship was a springboard, but the journey didn’t end there—it’s about what you do after.
Q: Sarah, despite knowing how competitive the fellowship is, did you experience anxieties about applying? What advice would you give to future applicants?
Yes. I doubted whether my writing sample was good enough and submitted it on the deadline due to procrastination. My advice is to be sincere in your application and take the requirements seriously. Focus on presenting your authentic self, as that’s what will resonate with the selection committee.
Q: Timi, as a mentor, how do you help alleviate the anxieties of new fellows?
I start by getting to know my mentees personally—their goals, personalities, and fears. This helps build trust and eases initial anxieties. I also emphasize open communication, encouraging them to share what they want to learn so I can tailor my mentorship to their needs.
Q: Sarah, who was your mentor, and what was your experience like?
My mentor was the exceptional Iliya Kambai Dennis. He understood my background and aspirations deeply, offering insightful feedback that helped me grow. His dedication to my development was truly inspiring.
Q: Timi, what’s the biggest challenge a mentee you’ve supported faced, and how did you help them overcome it?
Time management was a big challenge. My mentees were final-year university students with busy schedules. To help, I condensed assignments, combining multiple tasks into one. This approach allowed them to focus without feeling overwhelmed.
Q: Sarah, what was the most challenging part of the fellowship, and how did you overcome it?
My phone was faulty at the start, and I struggled with connectivity issues due to poor network coverage at school. Communicating with my mentor about these challenges helped. His understanding and flexibility made it easier for me to navigate these difficulties.
Q: Timi, looking back at your journey, what advice would you give your younger writer-self? Also, what are your long-term writing and career goals?
Keep going. It gets better. Passion alone can’t guarantee success; persistence is crucial. Even after rejections, keep submitting and improving. Growth takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
I want to teach creative writing in an MFA program and publish books across genres. Currently, I’m working on my second poetry collection and applying for MFA programs to further my aspirations.
Q: Sarah, what are your long-term goals, and how are you working toward them?
I plan to pursue an MFA in poetry or creative writing and continue growing Inspire Creations, an initiative I founded to support writers and artists through workshops and events.
Q/A With the Audience
Q: Under the nonfiction category, could writing a book on communication count, or is it limited to nonfiction like memoirs?
For 2025, we are focusing on creative nonfiction. Nonfiction is a broad category, but creative nonfiction includes works like memoirs or narrative-driven nonfiction. Nonfiction that is primarily informational, like a book on communication, might not qualify as creative nonfiction, as we are looking for more narrative or reflective elements.
Q: For Timi, what makes the Sprinng Writing Fellowship a unique experience compared to other writing fellowships or training?
Sprinng was my very first writing fellowship, and it remains special because it’s so personalized. I was accepted at 16, still learning the ropes of writing, and my mentor tailored the experience to my interests. For instance, I wanted to explore science fiction, and even though my mentor wasn’t familiar with the genre, she researched and guided me. Compared to masterclasses, which can feel impersonal with little feedback, Sprinng offers close mentorship and a nurturing environment that builds your confidence and skills without unnecessary critique.
Q: For the poetry category, is there any specific theme or writing style intended?
No specific theme or writing style is required for the writing sample. Submit work that best represents you, your interests, and your skills. The writing sample is the first piece your mentor will review and will help them understand your goals and areas for improvement.
Q: I’m a Nigerian based in Nigeria but I will soon leave the country for a master’s program. Can I still apply?
Unfortunately, participants must live within the country stated in their application from the start of the fellowship in May until its conclusion in July. If you’ll be outside the country during this period, you won’t be eligible.
Q: I’m interested in more than one genre. Can I apply for multiple genres?
No, you can only apply for one genre. However, during the fellowship, you’ll have opportunities to engage with multiple genres through weekly contests, allowing you to explore and try new things beyond your chosen genre.
Q: If I’m selected this year, can I apply again in future years?
Yes, alumni can reapply, but not in the genre they were previously mentored in. This rule ensures that alumni gain exposure to different areas of creative writing.
Q: Is it after the application deadline that mentees are paired with mentors?
Yes. Applications are reviewed between April 15 and May 15. Notifications of acceptance or rejection are sent by May 18, and mentees are paired with mentors before June 1. The fellowship then runs from June 1 to July 15.
Q: I’ve published articles or essays online. Does this affect my eligibility for the fellowship?
No, publishing articles or essays online does not affect your eligibility. The main criterion is that you must not have published a full-length book or chapter book. You can even list up to five platforms where your work has been published as part of your application.
Q: If someone is interested in a particular genre but has little or no experience, how should they approach the writing sample?
While we welcome writers who are new to the craft, we recommend gaining some basic experience before applying. There are many resources online, including Sprinng’s list of over 400 literary platforms under the "Sprinng Lit" section on our website. These resources can help you develop a writing sample for your application.
Q: If an applicant hasn’t published work anywhere, will they be disqualified?
No, not having published work won’t disqualify you. If this is your first step into sharing your writing, simply indicate “Not Applicable” in the application question asking for publication links.
Q: Does Medium count as a publication platform?
Yes and no. If it’s your personal blog on Medium, it doesn’t count. However, it does count if your work has been published on Medium under a recognized literary platform or publication.
Q: When do applications for the Sprinng Writing Fellowship open, and when do they close?
Applications open on January 15 and close on April 15 at midnight. There are no extensions, so applicants are encouraged not to wait until the last minute.
About the Speakers
Timi Sanni is a writer, editor, and multidisciplinary artist from Lagos, Nigeria. His debut chapbook, The Ordinary Affair of Being Human (Akashic Books, 2025), is forthcoming as part of the African Poetry Book Fund New-Generation African Poets series.
He is the winner of the 2022 Kreative Diadem Writing Contest, the 2021 Anita McAndrews Poetry Award, and the 2020 Sprinng Poetry Contest. His work has appeared in Black Warrior Review, New Delta Review, Cincinnati Review, Poet Lore, The Rumpus, ONLY POEMS, and elsewhere.
Sarah Adeyemo, Swan IX, is a Nigerian poet, writer, spoken word artist and communication expert. The debut author of The Shape of Silence. She draws inspiration from solitude and experiences. For the love of poetry, she founded Inkspires Kreation, a platform dedicated to empowering emerging spoken word artists and celebrating the beauty of poetry.
She emerged as the runner-up in the 2023 PROFWIC Poetry Contest, the winner of FUOYE Creatives (spoken word category) 2023, and also runner-up in the NASELS writing competition, FUOYE. She is an alumnus of the 2024 Sprinng Writing Fellowship.
Her works have appeared and are forthcoming in The Muse Journal, The Weganda Review, The Shallow Tales Review, Northern Writers Forum Journal, Eboquills, Rinna Lit, anthologies, and elsewhere. She is a member of The Swan Collective.
