Friends of Writers enriches American poetry and fiction by fostering new and vital literary voices. FRIENDS OF WRITERS (FOW) MISSION IS TO FOSTER VITAL LITERARY VOICES AND INITIATIVES. OUR VISION IS A WORLD IN WHICH LITERARY COMMUNITY IS VIBRANT, INCLUSIVE, AND WELL-SUPPORTED. WE DO THIS BY SOLICITING, MANAGING, AND DISBURSING FUNDS TO SUPPORT WRITERS AS THEY SEEK AND FULFILL THEIR POTENTIAL THROUGH GRADUATE STUDY AND BEYOND. FOW VALUES RIGOROUS WRITING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIVIDUAL'S FINEST WORK, AND ALSO VALUES THE DIVERSITY - IN AESTHETIC, ETHNICITY, GENDER, AGE, OCCUPATIONAL, GEOGRAPHIC, AND ECONOMIC BACKGROUND - THAT WILL ENSURE AMERICAN WRITING REFLECTS THE ENTIRE NATION.