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Annick Press Mentorship Program

Annick Press Mentorship Program: Supporting Writers Who Have Been Historically Excluded from Children’s Publishing

Supporting Writers Who Have Been Historically Excluded from Children’s Publishing

Launched in January 2021, the purpose of this mentorship is to support works in progress of emerging writers whose access to children’s publishing may have been limited. Our goal is to provide guidance on development of book ideas for children and young adults with a view to publication, whether or not at Annick, and to provide insight into the editorial process and the publishing industry. 

We are now accepting applications for the 2023 mentorship! The deadline to submit your application is September 29, 2023 at 5:00 PM, EST. Keep reading for eligibility criteria and information on how to apply.

Why apply?

  • Selected mentees will receive a $1,000 bursary for a four-month mentorship period, beginning in late Fall, 2023.
  • Mentees will be paired with an Annick editor, who will tailor the program to the mentee’s goals and interests.
  • Mentees will have the opportunity to meet and learn from Annick staff across different departments, including Marketing, Sales, Foreign Rights, Art and Design, and Production. 
  • A virtual mentee meetup will give mentees the chance to meet each other and share their experiences.

What we’re looking for:

  • Original writing projects that are a potential fit with Annick’s list.
  • Works in progress, including picture books, novels and graphic novels for middle readers or young adults, and children’s non-fiction. We are excited to work with you on developing your project for potential publication, and we don’t expect a polished, final draft for the purposes of the application.

Who can apply: 

  • Emerging writers (one traditionally published book in North America or fewer). Books under contract for future publication count as published books. Please email us if you have any questions about past title(s) you have released.
  • Writers whose perspectives have historically been excluded from children’s publishing.This includes but is not limited to LGBTQ2SIA+ writers, Black writers, Indigenous writers, writers of color, writers living with disabilities, and anyone living at the intersections of these identities. 
  • We only accept applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.
  • Writers who have previously published with Annick are not eligible for this program.

How to apply:

Attach a completed application form and a short sample of your work in progress (this could be a partial draft or an outline of a longer project) in an email to editor@annickpress.com.

What to expect:

  • Applicants will hear back from the selection committee from late October to early November about the status of their application.
  • All applications will receive editorial feedback.  
  • Selected mentees will be announced mid-November, 2023.

About Annick Press:

Founded in 1975, in Toronto, Ontario, Annick Press publishes 20-25 books a year for children and youth. Our editorial vision has always been to publish books that reflect the society we live in; the content in our books reflects a range of people, characters, and experiences that help enrich and inform the conversations happening in the real world. We strive for this in all the books we publish, which range from board books for the very young to picture books for emerging readers, to novels and non-fiction for middle readers and young adults.