NORTH COAST, Calif. – The Mendocino Coast Writers Conference announces Five Under Twenty-Five, a new initiative offering full-tuition scholarships for up to five young writers who live or attend school in one of five Northern California counties: Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino or Sonoma.

Applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of the conference, which takes place July 25-27, 2013. The scholarship covers conference fees only ($525) and does not include travel and lodging expenses.

Awards are made on the basis of merit. No entry fee is required.

The scholarship application has three parts a writing sample, a brief cover letter, and thoughts on what the applicant hopes to gain from attending.

Judges will read and evaluate writing samples based on literary quality, and appropriate use of grammar and punctuation.

School grades and transcripts will not be considered. The applicant’s actual writing and dedication to the power of the written word are what matter.

The application window is March 15-May 1. Selections will be made and scholarship winners notified by May 31.

If you have won a scholarship to the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference in the past three years, you are not eligible to apply for the Five Under Twenty-five scholarship.

You may apply again if you received a scholarship four or more years ago.

Winners are full participants in intensive writing workshops as well as all lectures, panel discussions and literary readings.

Their work is also considered for publication in MCWC’s online literary journal, the Noyo River Review.

The Mendocino Coast Writers Conference, now in its 24th year, offers a place where writers find encouragement, expertise and inspiration.

Scholarship winners will be welcomed into a vibrant and supportive literary community. The conference takes place at the College of the Redwoods Mendocino Campus in Fort Bragg.

With attendance limited to 100 people, and faculty and participants eating together on campus, opportunities for informal conversation are numerous.

For detailed information and an application for the Five Under Twenty-five scholarships, please check the Mendocino Coast Writers Conference Web site at www.mcwc.org/mcwc_five_schol.html .