“I have never been on a writing scheme where there has been so much support and guidance, as well as a phenomenal range of masterclasses, open door sessions and ask the editor/agent events. Truly astonishing.”
– Iqbal Hussain, Megaphone Mentee (2022)
- Megaphone Writers CIC is a new social enterprise and (we think!) the only not-for-profit UK-based organisation specifically set up to benefit children’s writers of Black, Asian and other ethnic minority heritages in Britain. Our primary activity is writer development for new, emerging and aspiring writers, especially Megaphone Mentoring. It’s run by author Leila Rasheed and editor Stephanie King, who are also the first directors of the CIC.
- Our previous mentees have included Branford Boase and Jhalak Prize winner Maisie Chan (Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths, Keep Dancing Lizzie Chu ) and multiple prize winner/ nominee Danielle Jawando (And the Stars Were Burning Brightly, When Our Worlds Collided) and Joyce Efia Harmer (How Far We’ve Come, forthcoming in 2023). Several of our most recent mentees have also signed with literary agents, and we look forward to seeing their books on the shelves soon!
- We hope to start a new scheme very soon, and we’re very excited to confirm support from The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society (ALCS). Check back for updates, or follow our blog or Twitter account. Meanwhile, we’ve created Call up! a Google calendar of opportunities for children’s writers of colour which you can find on our Useful Links page, here.
“Real, targeted, personalised support. Equitable, transparent and meaningful. The support is amazing and I have learnt tonnes.”
anonymous comment on Dec 2021 survey
Our work is supported by National Lottery funding from Arts Council England and ALCS. We’re enormously grateful for the past support we have received from Writing West Midlands , Usborne Publishing, The Publishers Association and other partners and generous individuals since 2015. If you or your organisation would like to help us help children’s writers of colour, please have a look at the Get Involved page for some ideas.
