Writer Fellowship Program (2025-26 Cohort)

Application Deadline: March 31, 2025. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.

About Us

INKspire is a youth-led nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying young voices and tackling the underrepresentation of equity-deserving groups in the literary arts. Since 2016, we have empowered countless young writers across Canada, publishing over 800 pieces and providing opportunities for youth to refine their writing skills, participate in meaningful discussions, and advance their careers.

Writer Fellowship Program

INKspire’s Writer Fellowship Program is a free, year-long program designed to support and develop emerging women writers (aged 18-24). This program offers a structured opportunity to gain hands-on publishing experience, build a professional writing portfolio, and engage with Toronto’s literary community through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects.

Program Overview

As a Writer Fellow in INKspire’s Writers Fellowship Program, you will commit to participating in the program for one (1) year. During this time, you will:

• Be part of a collaborative writing community that supports your growth and creativity as a writer.
• Receive personalized, one-on-one feedback from editors and platform leads to refine your writing.
• Publish five (5) pieces on the INKspire website (https://inkspire.org/).
• Have your work featured in INKspire’s physical, printed anthology magazine at the end of the program.
• Gain insight into the publishing industry, learning how it works and how to navigate it as an emerging writer.
• Participate in workshops, networking events, and mentorship sessions to develop your writing skills, explore the publishing industry, and connect with professional writers.
• Engage in a capstone project in partnership with literary grassroots organizations to further develop your skills as a writer (e.g., hosting workshops, organizing events, and other community-based initiatives).
• Receive mentorship and guidance from our professional Writer-in-Residence.

Specialization Areas

Writer Fellows will specialize in one of the following platforms:

• Arts – Explore creativity and the various mediums through which we express ourselves.
• Creative – Share compelling stories and narratives drawn from personal experiences.
• Social Issues – Analyze and discuss pressing global and local topics.
• Science & Technology – Examine the intersection of science, innovation, and society.

While Writer Fellows will focus on one platform, they will have the opportunity to contribute across multiple areas.

Program Expectations & Commitment

To successfully complete the program and receive a certificate of completion, Writer Fellows must:

• Fully commit to the entire year-long program.
• Publish all five (5) pieces (late or incomplete submissions will not count toward program completion).
• Attend workshops, events and related meetings (e.g., onboarding, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, etc.)
• Communicate regularly with the INKspire team via Slack.
• Complete the capstone project, collaborating with other literary grassroots organizations.
• Attend in-person events in downtown Toronto (writing work and meetings are fully remote, but some events will require attendance).
• Dedicate approximately 3-5 hours per week to writing, meetings, and workshops.

Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking passionate and dedicated individuals who:

• Are between the ages of 18-24.*
• Identify as a woman, while recognizing and welcoming diverse gender expressions and intersecting identities, including members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.*
• Reside in Toronto or the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).*
• Have a strong command of the English language, with excellent writing and communication skills.
• Demonstrate creativity and critical thinking in their writing.
• Can maintain a distinctive voice while adapting to INKspire’s style and tone.
• Are reliable and able to independently manage deadlines.

* If you do not meet all of the eligibility criteria listed above but believe you should still be considered, there will be a space in the application to explain your circumstances.

Priority Consideration

Preference will be given to applicants who:

• Identify as a member of one or more of the following groups: racialized persons, newcomer (arrived in Canada within the past five years), Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis), 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, and people with disabilities.

However, we encourage all interested applicants who meet the program’s eligibility criteria to apply.

Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

To learn more about the program - please visit: https://about.inkspire.org/writer-fellowship-program/

This program is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Youth Opportunities Fund (OTF YOF).