HarperCollins Author Academy 2026 in London

Employment Type Volunteer Training programme

Seniority Junior

Closing: 11:45pm, 6th Feb 2026 GMT

Perks and benefitsWork from home option

Wellness programs

Employee Assistance Programme

Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

Mentoring/coaching

Cycle to work scheme

Candidate happiness8.66 (33262)

Job DescriptionPlease note that some of the wording will refer to CVs and \’hiring\’. Please ignore these references as they do not apply to your application. The benefits are not applicable as this is not an advert for a job vacancy.

If you believe there\’s an audience for your words but don\’t know what the next step might be then the HarperCollins Author Academy may be the right place for you.

The HarperCollins Author Academy offers free training to support writers from underrepresented minority ethnic backgrounds. Under the programme directorship of Ken Wilson-Max, publisher at HarperCollinsChildren\’s Books imprint Kumusha Books, the Academy provides aspiring writers from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds with the skills and insight to break into the publishing industry.

Hear what a few of our graduate turned authors have to say

\’The Author Academy was my first big \’yes\’ in publishing. Every session left me inspired and increased my confidence in putting my writing out there.\’

– Elle Machray, author of Remember, Remember (HarperNorth)

\’The Author Academy demystified the publishing industry and connected me to a supportive community. This gave me the tools to craft a strong proposal for Trauma Bonds.\’

– Joshua Nelken-Zitser, author of forthcoming Trauma Bonds (Mudlark)

\’The Author Academy gave me a hugely helpful insight into how publishing works and how I might find my place as an aspiring author.\’

– Pavan Amara, author of forthcoming Mirror, Mirror (The Borough Press)

Course OverviewThe Academy offers three courses in Fiction, Non-fiction, and Writing for Children.

Our next courses start in May 2026 and run for six weeks, with live-streamed tutorials, author roundtables, and digital access to course materials. To graduate, students must also complete a series of on-demand masterclasses covering the fundamentals of publishing as a business.

A weekly schedule for the courses will follow closer to the time on the Author Academy website. Please see a general timetable below.

Once you\’ve put your thoughts into words, you\’ll learn how get your work ready for publishers. Our courses offer crucial insights across a range of industry topics, including:

Turning an idea into a solid book proposal;

Working with agents, editors and publishers;

Contracts, copyright, and royalties;

Genres and formats;

The craft of storytelling;

When you complete the course, you\’ll be awarded a HarperCollins Academy Certificate. You\’ll also be invited to join the Academy\’s Alumni Network and connect with fellow students and industry contacts.

Before you applyPlease read our enrolment criteria on our website . Budding authors can apply for one of the Academy\’s limited 45 places, split into three live teaching streams as shown below:

15 places in the Writing Fiction Course

15 places in the Writing Nonfiction Course

15 places in the Writing for Children Course

Please only apply for one course. Applicants will be selected based on samples of their work, assessed by a panel of HarperCollins staff. The course is free of charge. Students will need access to a computer and a reliable internet connection in order to take part. Here are the key dates:

08/01 – Applications open

6/02 – Applications close

03/07 – graduation event – submissions window opens

30/07/26 – manuscript submission window closes

To apply, complete the application form by following the link. Applications close on 6 February 2026.

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