Walter Grant
Team's Mission
To provide financial support to promising diverse writers who are currently unpublished.
Critical Statistics, Achievements, and Other Relevant Information
The Walter Grants were established to amplify and elevate diverse writers as well as their diverse works.
In 2015, we kicked off our inaugural Grants cycle, providing five grants ($2000 each) to five emerging writers and illustrators. One of our awardees, Angela Thomas, used her grant to purchase a computer to complete her Black Lives Matter-inspired manuscript. That YA manuscript, titled The Hate U Give, went on to sell in a 12-house auction, received 8 starred trade reviews, and is a #1 New York Times’ Best Seller and a major motion picture.
Since our inaugural year, we've awarded eleven more grants. Several of the recipients have now secured literary representation and book deals including, Jennifer De Leon whose debut novel Don't Ask Me Where I'm From comes out in August 2020. Our 2020 cycle opens to submissions on May 31, 2020, and we will be awarding 10 grants at $2000 each.
If you’re interested in applying for a grant, please read over our submission guidelines and FAQ.
For more information on the Walter Grants, please contact: waltergrant@diversebooks.org
Team Member Bios
Marietta Zacker
Marietta has experience children’s books from every angle – teaching, marketing, publishing, and bookselling. She thrives on working with authors who make their readers feel their characters’ emotions and illustrators who add a different dimension to the story. She is also Book Curator at an independent toy store and bookstore. Find her on twitter: @AgentZacker
