How to Apply

Applications will open soon. For all courses they should be received within the date range specified. No applications received after this date will be accepted.

You can only apply for one course. However, successful applicants can access materials from other courses.

Applicants for the HarperCollins Author Academy must:

Be 18 years old or over at the date of course commencement;

Be from a Black, Asian or a Minority Ethnic background;

Have access to the internet and a computer or laptop which is in in good working order;

Make their applications in the English language;

Not be represented by a literary agent at the date of course commencement

Be resident in the UK or Ireland;

We will not accept your application If you do not meet these criteria. You may only apply for yourself and not on behalf of another person.

There is no charge for enrolling or participating in the HarperCollins Author Academy, but successful applicants will need to cover their own costs and expenses.

By applying to enrol on the HarperCollins Author Academy you are agreeing to accept these terms and conditions. Any breach of these terms and conditions by you will mean that your application will not be valid.

Selection

Each course on the HarperCollins Author Academy accommodates up to 15 students. HarperCollins will select the successful students in its sole discretion and HarperCollins’ decision as to who to invite to enrol shall be final.

We will be notify Successful applications by email and give more detailed course terms to review and agree.

The Courses

Modules

The HarperCollins Author Academy term will start in the week of 25th May 2025 and continue for a period of six weeks.

The course will comprise various training sessions, including pre-recorded videos and inter-active webinars, and coursework.

HarperCollins Author Academy tutors will facilitate live webinars in specialist fields lasting approximately two hours in each week of the course. The live webinars could take place during the working day, or evening. Students must attend the live webinars and it is up to the individual student to plan accordingly. The more students put in the more they will get out of the course.

Students must complete all other modules in their own time during the term.

We will record the live webinars for students to re-watch and for the HarperCollins Author Academy facilitators to monitor progress. We hope students will give consent to use their contributions for this purpose. Students will retain copyright in any material that they create during their course or submit before, during or after it.

Mentor

A HarperCollins mentor will help guide each student through the publishing process and be a sounding board for questions for the duration of the course. Please note that mentors will not provide editorial advice.

Graduation

At the end of the course, and on completion of all masterclasses and assigned modules, students will receive a HarperCollins Academy Certificate. They will be eligible to to submit book proposals direct to HarperCollins to review for publication (HarperCollins will not be obliged to publish any manuscripts submitted by students, nor will students be obliged to accept offers made by HarperCollins and students will retain copyright in all their proposals and manuscripts).

Additionally for 12 months after the end of the course Students will be able to access the course materials, recorded Live Webinars and other videos.

Each student can also join the Academy’s Alumni Network, a community for underrepresented authors to continue the conversation, create critique circles, and meet industry professionals after completing the course.