Picture Book Writer Fellowship 2026-2027

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Funded by an anonymous investor, the Associates of the Boston Public Library's Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship intends to make a profound impact on the lives of emerging writers.

Benefits

$25,000 stipend, paid in monthly installments over one year.
The opportunity to request up to an additional $2,500 to be paid to an expert of your choice for coaching, editorial assistance, a critical reading of your manuscript, or a similar activity that will be helpful to you in completing your manuscript.
Completed manuscript will be added to the BPL’s Special Collections (the writer retains all rights to their completed work)
Opportunity to publicly present your manuscript at a fall reading.
Opportunities to establish connections with writers (including previous Fellows), publishers, artists, and the community-at-large through participation in/attendance at library readings, lectures, and other events.

Eligibility

Submitted manuscripts will be judged on their ability to tell a compelling and original story appropriate to the developmental age of the intended audience.
Works that qualify can be either of the following categories:

Ages 0-3 (board books)

Ages 3–8 (picture books and early readers)

Eligible projects may include fiction, non-fiction, memoir, or poetry. Graphic novels are not eligible.
Since this program is intended for emerging authors, applicants should not have already published any books for children.
The fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens or green card holders living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont) at this time.
Only one proposal may be submitted per person.
There is no requirement to work at the Boston Public Library, though the recipient will have the chance to attend events at the library with other writers.
The Associates of the Boston Public Library does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or educational attainment.
Works by talented writer-illustrators are welcome; however, the story or concept will be given greater importance.
No AI may be used in the creation of this submission.

Terms of Fellowship

You will participate in a public reception at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square to mark the beginning of your fellowship.
Throughout the fellowship, you will consult with a designated member of the Associates staff or board on a regular basis to keep them apprised of progress on your manuscript.
During your fellowship, you will participate in or create at least one program for Boston Public Library patrons, such as a presentation to Boston-area students, as mutually agreed upon with BPL Youth Services staff.
Throughout your fellowship and thereafter, you will be considered an Ambassador for the Associates of the BPL. You will include an acknowledgment to the Associates of the BPL in all work created during the residency, and during any media opportunities stemming from the program, using mutually agreed-upon language.
You will complete a completed manuscript by the end of residency, which you will present at a second public reception, on a mutually agreed upon date.

Application Process

To apply, please complete the application form on Submittable and upload a proposal (2 pages maximum) and writing sample (5 pages maximum) by June 5, 2026, at 11:59 pm. No extensions will be provided or granted. The documents should be double-spaced with one-inch margins and at least 11-point font. The attachments should not include any biographical information, since there will be a blind judging process. See our FAQs for more details.
Basic questions about the application will be answered via email (via picturebook@associatesbpl.org); no calls please. Questions regarding how to present your work will not be considered. Inquiries concerning applications under review will not be answered.
If using Submittable creates an undue burden for you, you can alternatively mail your submission following the format and answering the questions on the Submittable form to: Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship, Associates of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. All mailed submissions must be postmarked before 11:59 p.m. on (June 5, 2026).
Late applications will not be considered. Once submitted, applications cannot be altered by either candidates or program staff.

Selection Process

Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of judges, which includes a rotating group of authors, librarians, booksellers, publishers, editors, literary agents, book designers, teachers, and/or citizens representing different areas in the field of children’s literature. Associates staff do not vote in this process. In addition to naming the fellow, the judges may also designate a selection of finalists.
The judges do not know the candidates’ names, gender, educational qualifications, or any background information. This blind-judging process focuses solely on the quality of the submissions.
Judges will be looking for compelling and original stories that are developmentally appropriate to board books or picture books. Particular attention will be given to texts that convey memorable or unique characters, distinctive settings, and an emotionally compelling plot.
The text must also serve to inspire an illustrator's creative interpretation. Writers may electronically submit instructions to a future illustrator of the work that suggest the flow of words, images, and page breaks.

Key Dates

Questions? Check out our FAQs or email us at picturebook@associatesbpl.org

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.

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