Whether you’re a literature lover eager to edit the next National Book Award winner, an aspiring book marketer passionate about increasing BIPOC representation in the romance genre, or a book-loving lawyer looking to guide the next political exposé through the tricky trenches of media law — book publishing can be a dream career path that combines entertainment and information with potentially lasting impact on cultural discourse. And yet, even if you possess all the skills and passion it takes to succeed, it can be notoriously difficult to get and maintain a foothold in the book publishing industry.
Racial diversity in publishing has come under deserved fire in recent years. Though plenty of publishers released statements in 2020 pledging to do better, it’s still unclear what long-term changes have been concretely effected. Many of the fellowships below were created in response to this need, looking to bridge financial, informational, and networking barriers for marginalized voices in publishing. Whether you’re interested in writing, editorial, book design, book marketing, or book publicity, you’re sure to find a program to jumpstart your involvement in this rewarding field.
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Inkluded Academy Summer Program
The Inkluded Academy Summer Program, a tuition-free publishing course, is led by industry professionals committed to educating and facilitating the entry of publishing aspirants from traditionally underrepresented groups into the industry. Held over seven Saturdays in the summer, the program features a rigorous curriculum covering foundational aspects such as agenting, editorial work, publicity, marketing, sales, scouting, production, and subsidiary rights. Participants receive individualized career counseling, one-on-one sessions, and mentorship. With a mission to bridge the gap between the book business and aspiring professionals from diverse backgrounds, Inkluded Academy serves as a vital pipeline for inclusivity in the publishing world.
A Public Space Editorial Fellowship
The A Public Space Editorial Fellowship is a nine-month program tailored for aspiring editors, providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and education in editing and independent publishing. As part of the staff at A Public Space, a nonprofit publisher, the Editorial Fellow engages with various programs, including a literary and arts magazine, A Public Space Books, an academy, and APS Together, a series of virtual book clubs. Responsibilities encompass participation in editorial meetings and comprehensive training in all aspects of editing, from submission evaluation to publication. Fellows must reside in New York for the duration of the fellowship.
Library of America Diverse Voices Editorial Fellowship
The Library of America is offering a two-year, full-time fellowship aimed at fostering diversity within the U.S. publishing community. The fellow collaborates closely with the editorial and production team, contributing to the development and publication of approximately twenty new titles and numerous reprints annually. While prior publishing experience is advantageous, it is not a requirement. The hybrid position entails at least two days of in-office responsibilities per week, providing immersive training in all facets of publishing, from acquisition to publication.
Princeton University Press Publishing Fellowship
The Princeton University Press Publishing Fellowship is tailored for individuals with no previous publishing experience, particularly those from historically underrepresented communities in U.S. publishing. Open to applicants with a high school diploma or equivalent, the program offers full-time, salaried positions within the Press’s global publishing teams. Fellows undergo immersive training in various publishing realms, including trade, textbook, scholarly, digital, and audio. The program includes mentoring and early career coaching to empower fellows to pursue successful careers in publishing.
University of Texas Press Publishing Fellowship Program
The University of Texas Press Publishing Fellowship Program provides intensive and practical experience for humanities graduates aspiring to enter book publishing. Open to all humanities graduates, the fellowship offers in-depth exposure to multiple departments, with a focus on marketing and EDP (editing, design, and production). Additionally, fellows attend the annual meeting of the Association of University Presses. The fellowship, with a $41,500 stipend, offers valuable insights into the overall publishing process.
Chronicle Books Design Fellowship
The Chronicle Books Design Fellowship offers early career designers a year-long opportunity to gain hands-on experience in designing books, gifts, and brands. Based in San Francisco, CA, the fellowship provides mentorship from in-house designers and exposure to various creative teams, including editorial, production design, and marketing. Fellows receive a $45,000 annual salary and other benefits, contributing to a dynamic and enriching experience.
Graywolf Press Citizen Literary Fellowship
The Graywolf Press Citizen Literary Fellowship is a comprehensive ten-month, paid fellowship providing introductory, hands-on experience in the editorial and marketing/publicity departments. Designed for individuals interested in launching or advancing a career in publishing, the fellowship entails substantial project-based work and ongoing coaching from the Graywolf team, with no specific educational background requirements.
Milkweed Fellowship Program
The Milkweed Fellowship is a one- to two-year, paid immersion program based in Minneapolis, providing tools, experience, and exposure for individuals from historically underrepresented groups in book publishing. The program aims to offer an alternative route to leadership in an industry where the prerequisite to an entry-level position is typically an unpaid internship, emphasizing inclusivity for indigenous, people of color, LGBTQIA+, and individuals with disabilities. This position is based on-site in the Minneapolis offices and is full-time. Fellows receive a salary, generous paid time off, and health and dental benefits.
Writeability Fellowship Program
The Writeability Fellowship supports emerging writers with disabilities through tailored professional development, including manuscript assessments, workshops, and mentoring. Removing traditional barriers, Writeability empowers individuals with disabilities to share their stories on their terms and connect with the writing and publishing community.
Writing Fellows Program
The America’s Future Writing Fellows Program is designed for aspiring political writers to get personalized instructor feedback, featuring small-group writing workshops over six evening sessions. The Washington, DC-based fellowship supports aspiring writers interested in covering issues and publishing in outlets surrounding the U.S. capital. The state-based virtual fellowship is designed for writers outside the D.C. area. Both provide networking opportunities with well-known writers in their sessions.
PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship
The Emerging Voices Fellowship is a virtual 5-month immersive mentorship program for early-career writers from underrepresented communities in publishing. Open to writers identifying as Black, Indigenous, persons of color, LGBTQ+, immigrants, and those residing outside urban centers, the fellowship aims to cultivate and support diverse voices in literature. Applicants do not need to be U.S. permanent residents and/or citizens but must reside in the United States at the time of applying for and during the duration of the fellowship. Applicants cannot be recipients of an advanced degree in fiction, creative nonfiction, or poetry.
Interested in other fellowships for emerging writers? Read our interview with Jill Logan, recipient of the Steinbeck Fellows Program for emerging writers.
Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writing
The Pulliam Fellowship awards $75,000 to outstanding editorial writers or columnists with a minimum of 3 years of relevant work experience. Candidates must hold a part-time or full-time editorial writing or columnist position at a news publication in the United States and have at least 3 years of relevant work experience. The fellowship supports study, research, and/or travel, with recipients expected to publish their work in the form of editorials and other formats, including books, within 18 months of receiving the award.
Emerging Writer Fellowships
The Emerging Writer Fellowships offer 12 months of uninterrupted time and studio space for writers yet to publish a book-length work. Fellows receive mentorship with feedback from a nationally established author in their respective genre and a stipend of $41,000, with opportunities to attend creative writing workshops.
CFR Historian-in-Residence Fellowship
The Council for Foreign Relations Historian-in-Residence Fellowship allows distinguished historians to spend up to 24 months at CFR writing a book about a significant historical event that offers lessons that can be applied to contemporary foreign policy issues. Open to university or college professors and independent historians, the fellowship provides a stipend commensurate with work experience and includes benefits. The fellow may choose to work at CFR’s office in New York or Washington, DC.
American Library in Paris Visiting Fellowship
The Visiting Fellowship provides writers and researchers the opportunity to pursue a creative project in Paris for a month or longer while participating actively in the life of the American Library, with a stipend of $5,000 covering travel and accommodation. Open to English speakers of any nationality, applicants should be working on a book project or feature-length documentary film. The library will offer networking opportunities.
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