Publishing and Program Grants for Women Authors
Many authors dream of signing a book deal with a traditional publisher and making it to the top of the New York Times bestseller list. But only around 1 percent of authors are published by traditional publishers, which equates to fewer than 8,000 people annually.
The sobering fact is that the majority of authors published traditionally are white men ages 40 and older, and (not surprisingly) white men are at the top of the publishing pay scale. If you’re a woman author, the odds are stacked against you. Even more so if you are a woman of color, a woman with a disability, a member of the LGBTQ+ community or any combination of these.
Publish Her is on a mission to disrupt the status quo. We are a female-founded and focused publisher dedicated to elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community, and aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all. Publish Her demonstrates its commitment to equity by providing access to publishing services and programs through grants.
Grants are available for the following programs and services:
Choosing Your Publishing Path Workshops
These virtual and in-person workshops educate authors on the publishing industry and various book publishing models. Registration is DISCOUNTED $50 for women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you identify as one or more of these, complete the registration and enter the code CYPP at checkout. Learn more.
Guided Self-Publishing Workshops and Coaching
These virtual workshops and coaching provide expert guidance on self-publishing your book from start to finish. Registration for Guided Self-Publishing Workshop Parts One and Two Bundle is DISCOUNTED $50 for women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you identify as one or more of these, complete the registration and enter the code GSP at checkout. Learn more.
Women’s Writing Circles
Virtual writing circles provide community, inspiration and an opportunity to grow and learn as a writer. For each eight-week session, registration is DISCOUNTED $100 for two women of color/women with disabilities/members of the LGBTQ+ community. If you identify as one or more of these, complete the registration and enter the code WWC at checkout. Learn more.
Book Publishing
Book publishing grants include editing, design, marketing and publishing for a softcover book of 50,000-80,000 words. In 2023-2024, Publish Her will award two book publishing grant valued at $10,000 each.
To qualify for a book publishing grant, you must be the author of a completed and previously unpublished manuscript that is a minimum of 50,000 words (fiction or nonfiction). You must identify as a woman of color, a woman with a disability or a member of the LGBTQ+ community (or any combination of these), as well as a legal resident of the U.S., and 21 years of age or older. If you meet these qualifications, complete the application below. Grantees will be notified by email.
IMPORTANT: Please do not submit an application if you do not have a completed and previously unpublished manuscript of 50,000-80,000 words.
