Other help available

They say: “Winner of Children’s Publisher of the Year 2022 at the British Book Awards, Knights Of is a multi award-winning inclusive publisher focused on bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of commercial children’s publishing.”
Website: https://knightsof.media/

They say: “We are currently focusing on commercial books for young adults (16+) and adults written by under-represented voices only. We are an imprint that celebrates love – self-love, first love etc. We love books that are plot driven with relatable characters.We are not open to picture books, children’s or middle-grade books. We have an open submission policy. This means you don’t need an agent to submit to us. Hashtag BLAK is an imprint of Hashtag Press.
Website: https://www.hashtagblak.co.uk/submissions

They say: “In 2017, Faber Children’s and the Andlyn Literary Agency together created the Faber Andlyn (FAB) Prize to help discover new writers and illustrators from underrepresented backgrounds. This prize is the first of its kind in the UK and our alumni have gone on to release amazing books that are rich in culture and colour. But we want to do more with this platform. So we rebranded.This new platform is a hub for aspiring writers, illustrators and publishing professionals. Every week we will release an interview, conversation or article featuring a talented creative already working in the industry. There is so much more to publishing than writing, illustrating and editorial. There is enough space for everyone. FAB will proudly showcase this as well as championing the work and voices of those within our publishing community.”
Website: https://www.fabprize.org/about-us/

They say: “Pathways Into Children’s Publishing is a pioneering, world-class two-year illustration course for talented and ambitious artists from backgrounds that are under-represented in children’s publishing. The course is specifically for artists of colour, disabled artists, neurodivergent artists, and artists with UK refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, aged 21 and above – with no upper age limit. It is also open to artists with and without any formal training in illustration at degree level.”
Website: https://pop-up.org.uk/courses/pathways-into-childrens-publishing/

They say: “Calling all unpublished and self-published Black-British children’s writers!From 7 November 2022 to 9 January 2023, send us your finest picture book manuscript for a chance to win a publishing contract with Scholastic UK, SCBWI membership, exclusive access to publishing professionals, and more. We need your stories!”
Website: https://www.jerichoprize.com/home

They say: “Are you an author or illustrator looking for support or to expand your knowledge and reach in publishing? Join our growing community and discover the amazing development and networking opportunities available for established and emerging authors and illustrators.”
Website: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/programmes-and-campaigns/booktrust-represents/support-for-authors-and-illustrators-of-colour/

They say: “WNDB strives to create a world in which all children can see themselves in the pages of a book. To reach this goal, we’ve created programs to celebrate diverse books, to mentor diverse writers and illustrators, to support diverse publishing professionals, and to provide books to classrooms nationwide.” This is a US organisation, but they state their mentoring is open to anyone in the world. https://diversebooks.org/programs/mentorship-program/
Website: https://diversebooks.org/

They say: “Inclusive Books for Children is a charity that aspires for mainstream children’s books to be inclusive, and for inclusive children’s books to be mainstream.”
Website: https://www.inclusivebooksforchildren.org/

They say: “City Lit’s Malorie Blackman Scholarships for Unheard Voices provide three annual awards to fund one year’s study within the Creative Writing department at City Lit.”
Website: https://www.citylit.ac.uk/malorie-blackman-scholarships

They say: “A community for agents and editors of African descent working in UK book publishing.”
Website:

https://blackagentsandeditors.com/meet-our-members

They say: “Over the last two decades the Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook has become the indispensable guide to writing for children of all ages from pre-school to young adults.(…) Its directory of 1,200 listings with contacts are updated yearly to provide the most up-to-date information across the media and publishing industry. It also includes over 50 articles by award-winning writers and illustrators covering all stages of the writing and illustration process from getting started, writing for different markets and genres, and preparing an illustration portfolio, through to submission to literary agents and publishers. Additional articles, free advice, events information and editorial services at www.writersandartists.co.uk “

Website:https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/childrens-writers–artists-yearbook-2024-9781399408929/

They say: “Undiscovered Voices is a volunteer-run initiative by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) British Isles to help fresh, new voices in children’s literature find agents, publishers and ultimately readers.”
Website: https://www.undiscoveredvoices.com/

They say: A free mentorship and outreach programme for underrepresented children’s book writers.”
Website: https://www.allstories.org.uk/

They say: “The global community for children’s books creators.”
Website: https://britishisles.scbwi.org/

They say: “Funding to support individuals who are cultural and creative practitioners and want to take time to focus on their creative development.” Check the website for latest guidance.
Website: https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp

They say: “The initiative, named in memory of Nielsen BookData’s former director of marketing and communications, aims to nurture talent from under-represented backgrounds writing in English.”

Website: https://www.thefuturebookshelf.co.uk/landing-page/the-mo-siewcharran-prize-2024/