Writer development: WriteNow

Penguin Random House are looking for writers from under-represented backgrounds for this year's WriteNow programme

WriteNow is looking to find writers and this year, for the first time, illustrators of children's books, from communities under-represented on UK bookshelves. 150 writers and illustrators will be invited to workshops in London (8 September), Liverpool (15 September) and Nottingham (29 September, illustrator workshop). Ten writers/illustrators will subsequently be invited on a year-long mentoring programme.

Applications are invited from writers from BAME and LGBTQ backgrounds, or who are socio-economically marginalised, or who have a disability. Applying writers must not have a publishing contract or be represented by a literary agent.

To apply, writers should send information about the book they are writing plus a 1,000-word extract and 250 words on how you meet the selection criteria.

Applying illustrators are asked to illustrate Jack and the Beanstalk, sketching out the whole book across 12 spreads and also submitting one piece of finished full-colour artwork.

WriteNow applications opened this week and close for writers on 9 July. Illustrators can apply up to 23 July.

For full details see the website.

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