WNDB: Walter Dean Myers Grant Program

WNDB: Walter Dean Myers Grant Program is sponsored by We Need Diverse Books. Offers grants to promising unpublished diverse writers and illustrators to enhance their craft and support traditional publication pursuits.

Walter Grants — We Need Diverse Books The Walter Dean Myers Grant provides a financial boost to promising writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished. Each grantee receives $2000 to hone their craft and support their career development. Marginalized writers and illustrators often face financial and systemic barriers in telling their stories and getting published.

That’s why we established this grant, which recognizes the talent of diverse creators and gives them monetary assistance as they pursue publication. The Walter Grant can be used in a variety of ways, from attending conferences to purchasing new writing devices to covering childcare.

Since 2015 we have awarded over 80 Walter Grants, and we’re incredibly proud of our recipients who have now published nearly 60 books and have won major literary awards. The Walter Grant arrived at the perfect moment when I was debating whether or not I should continue writing. It gave me the boost of confidence I needed … and I'll be forever grateful about that.

” Yamile Saied Méndez, 2015 Walter Grant recipient and Pura Belpré winner Take a look at what our grantees have been up to: Jacqueline Alcántara, 2016 grantee A freelance illustrator, Jacqueline participated in our mentorship program and received a Walter Grant in 2016. Since then, she has illustrated over 10 books and has received the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award. She is also an adjuct professor of illustration at Columbia College Chicago.

Nicholas Solis, 2018 grantee Nicholas received our Walter Grant in 2018. He has since authored several picture books, such as The Staring Contest and My Town / Mi Pueblo , with more forthcoming. In addition to his work as a writer and illustrator, Nicholas is an award-winning elementary school teacher in Texas.

Angie Thomas, 2015 grantee Angie utilized her Walter Grant to purchase a laptop to finish her young adult manuscript. That manuscript became The Hate U Give , an instant bestseller and award-winning novel. Angie’s books have reached millions of readers and have been adapted into feature-length films.

Current and Past Grantees Danielle Shandiin Emerson Anna Marie “Amie” Rodriguez Veronica Hankerson Madrigal Adriana Hernández-Bergstrom The Walter Dean Myers Grant program was established to provide grants of $2,000 each to promising diverse writers and illustrators who are currently unpublished.

The grants may be applied in a variety of ways, as long as it supports the recipient’s development of their craft and their pursuit of traditional publication. Applicants must identify as diverse, as per WNDB’s definition of diversity. Applicants must be unpublished as illustrators and/or authors.

This includes both trade publishing and self-publishing. ( NOTE : publication in zines or publication of poetry chap books are permissible.) If the applicant has a book deal for an as yet unpublished book, the applicant is considered published for purposes of this grant.

Applicants may have published shorter pieces, such as essays, short stories, and articles. Applicants who have books on submission to publishing houses are not eligible for the Walter Grant. Books on submission to procure an agent, however, will be considered.

Applicant must be working toward a career as a children’s author and/or illustrator. This includes but is not limited to: Picture Books, Early Reader Books, Chapter Books, Middle Grade Books, Young Adult, Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction, Poetry. Applicant cannot apply for funding to self-publish their project.

Applicant must be a U.S. resident or a refugee living in the States. (Note for refugee applicants: receiving a grant might affect your income limitations and any government assistance you may receive. You may want to reach out to appropriate officials, like an immigration attorney, for advice.)

Applicant must be at least 18 years in age. Please note: Under Executive Order 13224, all 501(c)(3) organizations must confirm that grant recipients are not affiliated with federally identified terrorist groups. To comply, we must compile any of your former legal names that have been registered with the United States government.

We are aware that we are asking for potentially sensitive information and we apologize for this intrusion. WNDB will keep this information in the utmost confidence and will never use any former name(s) in our correspondence with you. Applications are currently closed.

All of the 2025 Walter Grant recipients have been notified and formally announced as of February 2026. Applications for the next grant cycle will reopen in October 2026. Can I submit multiple samples in different genres?

Please choose one category to submit to — whichever you feel is a better fit for consideration. Can I submit multiple projects for consideration? Please choose one creative project to submit, whichever you feel is the best fit for consideration.

We do not accept multiple simultaneous applications from one creator, and you will be disqualified if you submit more than one application for a Walter Grant. Will the application close after a certain amount of entries? No, there is no limit to the number of entries accepted.

Applications are accepted through our application form online. Can I apply if I am not a U.S. Citizen? You are eligible to apply if you have legal residence in the United States regardless of citizenship.

When will winning applicants hear back? We aim to notify winners before January 15, 2026. Can I mail in my illustration submissions?

Unfortunately, we cannot have original works or copies mailed in. Any illustration must be submitted electronically. Is there an application fee?

There is no application fee to apply for the Walter Grant. Are self-published authors eligible? No, authors who have self published are not eligible for the Walter Grant.

Publication in zines or publication of poetry chap books are permissible. Am I eligible if I've published a non-children's book? No. Authors who have published outside of children’s literature are also not eligible for the Walter Grant.

Do I need a certain degree or previous publishing credits? There are no degree or publication credits required to apply for the grant. Who can I contact with further questions?

Please direct any questions to info@diversebooks. org . What does it mean to have "books on submission"?

Applicants who have books on submission to publishing houses are not eligible for the Walter Grant. Applicants who are querying literary agents, however, are eligible. Submitting to other grants, contests, and similar writing opportunities does not disqualify for a Walter Grant.

If you do receive a book deal from one of these submissions, you are required to notify us info@diversebooks. org.

2015 Walter Grantee Yamile Saied Mendez 2015 Walter Grantee Angie Thomas 2015 Walter Grantee Jacqueline Alcantara 2018 Walter Grantee Nicholas Solis 2020 Walter Grantee Arriel Vinson 2016 Walter Grantee Jenn Kocsmiersky 2022 Walter Grantee Christine Hartman Derr 2020 Walter Grantee Brian Wasson 2016 Walter Grantee Francesca Padilla