All Stories, a new mentorship programme for underrepresented Children’s Book Writers

A new mentorship scheme for underrepresented authors launches today, 30 March. All Stories offers fourteen mentorships delivered by expert children’s book editors.

Founder children’s book editor Catherine Coe founded the programme out of a determination to tackle privilege and the lack of diversity in the industry. She says, ‘Many, if not most, debut authors today are those who’ve been able to afford courses, mentoring and/or MAs. Change is essential if we want to improve the diversity of authors, and in turn ensure young readers see themselves reflected in the books they read.’

She refers to CLPE’s Reflecting Realities report which identifies the lack of quality, inclusive, representative books that reflect the realities of the children in our classrooms as a longstanding issue in the UK.

Patron Patrice Lawrence says, ‘Many talented writers aren’t privileged enough to get support, and their stories are never seen. This is a much-needed project to help those hidden stories rise up.’

All Stories is part-sponsored by the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society. The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators will offer a year’s free membership to each mentee.

The programme offers fourtenn free mentorships to aspiring children’s book writers from underrepresented backgrounds, unable to pay for such support. It is open to writers of children’s books in any genre and age group (from picture books to YA novels).

Applications close at midnight on 31 May 2021.

Fourteen freelance editors will mentor the writers, while seven in-house editors 4 will present webinars to the mentees on the industry and craft of writing.

For further information, visit www.allstories.org.uk

All Stories invites anyone interested in offering funding to the project to contact Catherine Coe: catherine@allstories.org.uk / 07971 174645