March 1, 2017 (New York) —We Need Diverse Books™ is now accepting applications for  2017 WNDB Internship Grants. In the program’s successful second year, grants of $2500 were awarded to each of eleven diverse publishing and agency interns. After two years of the Grant Award Program, eleven eligible interns have gone on to full-time work in the publishing arena. This year five $2500 grants are available to diverse publishing and literary agency interns. New this year, WNDB will include a metro stipend to each intern.

According to the 2016 Publishers Weekly Salary Survey, “Little progress on diversity,” has been made. And the publishing industry is still predominantly homogenous. An internship is an important gateway into positions at publishing houses and agencies, but the expense of living in New York City can be a barrier to many well qualified candidates. The WNDB Internship Grants help those who might otherwise not be able to accept a position.

“We’re delighted to be awarding grants to worthy interns for a third year, and also happy to see the ongoing success of our previous interns.” Linda Sue Park, Honorary Chair of the WNDB Internship Grants Committee said. Jennifer Mann, Project Manager for the Internship Grant Committee, has agreed to step in as Acting Director while Anne Ursu is on sabbatical.

Contact: Jennifer Mann, Acting Director of WNDB Internship Grant Committee

jennifermann@wndb.local