If you have a story to tell but think voices like yours aren’t heard…

If you’ve been writing for years but can’t get a foot in the door…

If you know there’s an audience for your words but don’t know what the next step might be…

… the HarperCollins Author Academy may be the right place for you.

Wait no longer…

The HarperCollins Author Academy is a brand-new initiative offering free training to support writers from underrepresented Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Launched by HarperCollins UK and headed by Rose Sandy, Affiliate Publisher for Harper Inspire, it aims to provide authors from underrepresented groups with the knowledge and skills to succeed.

The Academy offers three courses, covering three different genres: Fiction, Non-fiction, and Writing for Children.

Beginning the week of January 18, 2021, the courses will run remotely for 6 weeks, with weekly live-streamed tutorials and access to other course materials. Additional on-demand masterclasses cover the fundamentals of publishing as a business, and you’ll be supported by a mentor throughout.

Your backstage pass

Once you’ve put your thoughts into words, you’ll learn how get your work ready for publishers. Our courses offer crucial insights across a range of industry topics, including

-   turning an idea into a solid book proposal;

-   working with agents, editors and publishers;

-   contracts, copyright, and royalties;

-   genres and formats;

-   the craft of storytelling;

-   author branding.

When you complete the course, you’ll be awarded the HarperCollins Academy Certificate. You’ll also be invited to join the Academy’s Alumni Network and connect with fellow students and industry contacts.

Before you apply

Please read our enrolment criteria. Motivated writers and budding authors can apply for one of the Academy’s limited 45 places in January split into three live teaching streams as shown below:

• 15 places in the Writing Fiction Course

• 15 places in the Writing Nonfiction Course

• 15 places in the Writing for Children Course

So don’t miss out!

Please only apply for one course. Applicants will be selected based on samples of their work, assessed by a panel of HarperCollins experts.  The course is free of charge, all students need is a computer and internet access. Successful applicants will be alerted by December 31, 2020.

To apply, complete the application form by following the link. Please note that you will be taken to a recruitment system to complete an application, some of the wording will refer to CV’s and ‘hiring’, please ignore these references as they do not apply to your application.