The 2021 Affirm Press Mentorship Award at Varuna, the National Writers’ House is set to focus exclusively on middle-grade and young adult fiction. The aim is to tap into a wide range of diverse and authentic voices that may not be represented in mainstream publishing.
Three winning submissions will be offered a week’s residency and manuscript development at Varuna, the National Writers’ House. The Affirm Press editorial team will also be in residence to establish ongoing relationships with the winners and provide in-depth manuscript development and feedback. The ultimate aim is to develop the manuscript to a publishable standard and if successful, for Affirm Press to publish the work. While the Mentorship does not guarantee publication, Affirm Press will select entries that they believe have potential to become a work of literary value and find an audience.
In the past the Award has resulted in three highly regarded published works including Paula Keogh’s The Green Bell, Sonia Orchard’s Into the Fire and Angela Williams Snakes and Ladders.
Applications for the award close 15 September 2021. The residency week will be held from Monday 28 March to Monday 4 April 2022, and the award includes full board and accommodation, including a private room and writing studio for each writer.