Catalyst Creators: Scholarship for Children's Picture Book Manuscripts Featuring Underrepresented Voices

Giving a voice to the underrepresented in children's literature by supporting emerging authors still in school! Catalyst Creators: Empowering Diverse Voices in Children's Literature Imagine a young writer, brimming with passion and a story to share—one that reflects their unique identity, culture, and dreams. The Catalyst Creators Scholarship directly supports these emerging authors, providing them with the financial assistance they need to bring their stories to life. By investing in these writers, we’re not only empowering them to tell their stories but also helping to diversify the books that children read. Your donation fuels the voices of tomorrow, ensuring that every child can see themselves when they read! Your Impact By donating to the Catalyst Creators Scholarship, you’re making a direct investment in the future of children’s literature. Your contribution will provide two students with the funds to develop their writing craft in picture book manuscripts. These writers, from any academic background, will center their children’s book manuscripts on underrepresented voices—whether through a character, culture, identity, or theme. Your donation will help motivate these authors to create the stories that will inspire generations of young readers. Why This Matters As someone who made the leap from medical school to pursue a career in children’s publishing, I understand how challenging it can be to follow a creative path. In addition, I know how desperately diversity is needed in books: growing up as a Puerto Rican girl, I rarely saw stories that reflected my own experiences or identity. That’s why I’m passionate about supporting new voices in children's literature—because these are the stories that deserve to be told and their writers need validation. The Catalyst Creators Scholarship supports students who are brave enough to share authentic stories. By empowering these writers, we’re creating a future where every child, no matter their background, can find stories that affirm who they are and where all writers can feel confident in sharing their work. Why Donate? Every dollar you contribute helps support writers who are committed to creating books that matter. Your donation is a direct investment in diverse, inclusive storytelling—stories that will resonate with generations of young readers. Donations are tax-deductible through Bold.org and all funds go directly to the winners. Our goal is to raise $1,000 or more by the end of April 2025 to fund this scholarship and open applications to students in high school, undergraduate, and graduate programs. Together, we can foster the next generation of storytellers and ensure a more inclusive literary landscape. Thank you!