Call up! is our handy calendar to see deadlines or events that are coming up: competitions you might want to enter, talks and workshops you don’t want to miss… Click on the event you’re interested in to see more details and the website of the organiser. You can also click on ‘agenda’ then ‘look for more’ to show all events in list form.
If you click on this link to go to the Google Calendar website, you’ll be able to save this calendar to your personal online calendar, share events with others, choose whether to view by day, month, year, list of events and more. If you want to tell us about an event or opportunity you’d like to add to the calendar, please contact us. The information here is correct to the best of our knowledge, but check with the organisers for the most up to date information. We update it regularly, so bookmark it and check back. This Word document has more information and FAQs about the calendar, including what to do if you’d like to report a problem with an event listing.
Below is a list of other places where you can get support with your writing.
List of organisations, competitions and events for children’s writers of colour
Knights Of (Publisher)
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/
Hashtag Blak (Publisher)
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
The Fab Prize (Prize for children’s literature)
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/
Pathways into Children’s Publishing (2 year course for illustrators)
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/
The Jericho Prize for Black-British Children’s Writers (Prize for an unpublished picture book)
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
Book Trust Represents (Charity with research and resources)
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/
We Need Diverse Books
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/
List of organisations, competitions and events relevant to all children’s writers
Undiscovered Voices Anthology competition
“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.” https://www.undiscoveredvoices.com/
All Stories: Free mentoring for under-represented children’s writers
All Stories offers free development opportunities to talented writers from under-represented backgrounds who are unable to pay for such support. https://www.allstories.org.uk/
The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (membership association)
this international organisation has many different opportunities and events running all year round. Check the website for the most up-to-date information about what is happening in your area. The annual conference is a regular event.
https://britishisles.scbwi.org/
There are many writing consultancies, critiquing agencies, courses, etc. See each individual website for more information on exactly what services they offer – many will have funding or free resources available and a range of payment options.
Write Mentor: https://write-mentor.com/
Golden Egg Academy: https://goldeneggacademy.co.uk/
Faber Academy: https://faberacademy.com/creative-writing-courses/childrens-writing-courses/
Arvon Foundation: https://www.arvon.org/
The Literary Consultancy: https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/
This organisation offers a ‘free reads’ (expert feedback on your writing) service, find out more here: https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk/editorial/ace-free-reads-scheme/
Jericho Writers: https://jerichowriters.com/our-services/courses-mentoring/writing-for-children-course/
If you are looking for opportunities beyond children’s literature, The National Association of Writers in Education sends out an excellent email bulletin with details of all kinds of opportunities, including jobs, for all kinds of writers. It’s called The Writer’s Compass: https://www.nawe.co.uk/the-writers-compass/about-the-writers-compass.html