Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship

Dan Poynter

Since beginning his author career in 1969, Dan Poynter published over 120 books, including “The Self-Publishing Manual,” an essential guide for authors.

Dan spoke at countless writers’ conferences over the years, and was our very first opening keynote speaker when the Nonfiction Writers Conference launched in 2010. He spoke for us each year, and also contributed blog posts for our sister organization, The Nonfiction Authors Association.

The publishing industry—and the world—lost an iconic man on November 1, 2015.

If you ever had the pleasure of meeting Dan at a conference or event, or if you reached out to him by phone or email, you know that he had a big heart for helping fellow authors. He always made time to talk through plans, encouraging writers not to “sell out” to traditional publishers. He had a passion for showing authors that the power could be in their own hands.

Introducing the Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship Award

Because of Dan’s spirit of giving, and as a way to honor the tremendous impact he had on so many of us in the publishing industry, the Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship Award has been created to allow more authors to participate in The Nonfiction Writers Conference, regardless of financial ability.

Each year we will award up to ten aspiring authors with attendance at the Nonfiction Writers Conference, compliments of the Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship Award.

How to Apply for a Scholarship

Please send us an email with the subject line “Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship application” and complete the following information:

  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • City/state/country
  • Website & social media links (if you have them)
  • Answer the following questions (one paragraph each, max):
    • Why do you want to write a book?
    • What would the Dan Poynter Legacy Scholarship Award mean to you?
    • How do you plan to pay it forward and help other people?

Deadline to apply is April 15th. Scholarship recipients are selected and notified in April 30th.

*These scholarships are intended for students and those who are not financially able to attend NFWC on their own. Please do not apply for a scholarship unless you truly have a need for financial assistance.