This summer, Shout Mouse Press (SMP), in partnership with the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), will coach girls and gender-expansive young people of color (ages 12-16) to write and publish a collaborative graphic novel.
The book will be set in a fictional middle school. Each writer will contribute a story rooted in the lived experiences, observations, and imaginations of girls and gender-expansive young people of color navigating coming of age right now.
Through interconnected stories, the book will explore body image, identity, friendship, belonging, and mental health.
Who Should Apply
You are:
A girl or gender-expansive person
Age 12–16 during Summer 2026
BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, or Person of Color)
Based in DC, MD, or VA — and able to travel to downtown DC
Available July 27 – August 14, 2026 (Mon–Fri, 10 AM–1 PM)
Also, you are interested in:
Writing stories set in a middle school.
Exploring what it means to grow up in this moment — including friendship, identity, pressure, belonging, joy, and change.
Representing the diverse experiences of girls and gender-expansive young people of color.
No prior writing experience is required.
We’re looking for thoughtful, collaborative writers who are ready to commit fully to the three-week process. We will be selecting 8–12 writers total.
Why This Book Matters
Middle school can be intense. Many young people today are navigating identity, social pressure, online spaces, and mental health challenges all at once. Today, as legislation against marginalized communities continues, these pressures are only compounded, especially on girls and gender expansive youth of color. This project creates space to tell honest, nuanced stories about that experience — stories younger readers (ages 10–14) will recognize as real.
What You’ll Do
Weeks 1–2 (Writing + Script Development)
Location: True Reformer Building (U Street, DC)
Build a shared middle school world
Create original characters
Draft dialogue and comic scripts
Revise your work with teaching artists
Participate in conversations about mental health, identity, feminism, and storytelling
Meet guest speakers, including a professional graphic novelist
Writers create the stories and scripts.
You are NOT responsible for drawing the comic.
Week 3 (Collaboration with Comics Artists)
Location: National Museum of Women in the Arts (Metro Center, DC)
You’ll be paired with a trained comics illustrator who will translate your script into visual storytelling. During this week, you will:
Develop your character’s visual identity with your illustrator
Collaborate on how key scenes are visually told
See your words take shape as a comic
Illustrators are hired professional artists. Your role is the writing; their role is the artwork. You collaborate to bring the story to life.
What Happens After August?
You’ll review sketches and drafts virtually as the book develops.
Publication is scheduled for Fall 2027, including a book launch celebration.
After publication, you will be invited to participate in our paid Author Talks program.
This is a professionally published book distributed to schools, libraries, bookstores, and readers nationwide!
Schedule & Commitment
July 27 – August 14, 2026
Monday–Friday | 10 AM–1 PM
15 total workshops
Participants may miss up to 2 workshops. Beyond that, continued participation will be reviewed with staff.
This program is a commitment. If accepted, you are expected to attend consistently, communicate actively, and participate fully.
Compensation
Participants may choose:
Paid stipend: $15/hour
$75 bonus for attending all 15 workshops
Maximum total: $750
OR
Community service hours
Snacks provided daily.
How to Apply
Step 1: Submit the Application
March 6 – April 19, 2026
In your application, we’re especially interested in what middle school experiences you want to explore and why they matter to you.
Step 2: Virtual Interview
April 27 – May 6, 2026
A select group of applicants will be invited to a brief virtual interview (about 30 minutes).
Writers confirmed: May 8, 2026
Submitting the form does not guarantee acceptance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be good at drawing?
No. Youth writers create scripts. We will hire professional illustrators to create the artwork.
Do I need prior writing experience?
No. You just need to be ready and excited to write, revise, and collaborate.
Is this competitive?
Yes. We are selecting 8–12 writers from a larger pool of applicants.
What if I have a summer conflict?
You may miss up to 2 workshops.
Where do workshops take place?
Weeks 1–2: True Reformer Building (U Street)
Week 3: National Museum of Women in the Arts (downtown DC)
Apply
Applications close April 19, 2026.
Questions? Email: malik@shoutmousepress.org
About Shout Mouse Press
We publish youth-authored, diverse, and inclusive children’s and young adult books. We pass the pen to those who can best represent themselves and their communities with authenticity, knowledge, and understanding. Check out some of our young adult books below.
