Writer Fellow

About Us

INKspire is a youth-led nonprofit that empowers youth to share their ideas, stories, and perspectives on contemporary issues in Canada and around the world. Through publishing opportunities, educational programming, and community-building initiatives, we support emerging writers in developing their voices and contributing to meaningful conversations

Writer Fellowship Program

INKspire’s Writer Fellowship Program is a free, year-long program designed to give aspiring women and non-binary writers (aged 18-24) a platform to express themselves while gaining valuable publishing experience and insights. Through a mix of virtual and in-person events like collaborative brainstorming sessions, workshops, networking events, and the shared experience of developing and publishing articles, fellows will become part of a supportive community of emerging writers who learn from, inspire, and grow alongside one another. For more information, see https://about.inkspire.org/writer-fellowship-program/ .

Program Overview

As a writer fellow in INKspire’s Writer Fellowship Program, you will commit to writing for INKspire for one (1) year. In this time frame, you can expect to publish five (5) articles to our website (https://inkspire.org/). At the end of the program, your work will also be published in INKspire’s printed anthology magazine.

Throughout the fellowship, writers will participate in a structured editorial process designed to support the development of each article from idea to publication. For each publishing cycle, fellows will be given a broad theme (past themes have included “Growth and Transformation,” “Time, Memory, and Legacy,” and “Resistance and Disruption”) and will work through the following stages remotely: brainstorming ideas, pitching article concepts, drafting their piece, revising their work to incorporate editorial feedback, and ultimately publishing their final article. This process provides fellows with hands-on experience in the full publishing journey while developing their skills as writers and creative professionals.

In addition to building a portfolio of published work and learning about the publishing process, writers will also be participating in workshops, networking events, and a final capstone outreach project. A core part of the fellowship program, the capstone reflects the culmination of each writer’s growth and is designed as a collaborative, community-facing initiative where fellows apply what they’ve learned in a real-world setting and contribute meaningfully to Toronto’s literary community. Past projects have included highlights like an open mic event with East End Arts and a local news reporting partnership with Street Voices.

Fellows will also have the unique opportunity to be mentored by our Writer in Residence, an established literary professional who will share insights into their writing journey and the publishing industry, lead a series of skill-development workshops, and provide advice on craft and developing a sustainable creative practice.

When applying to this position, you will select one of the following platforms to specialize in:

• Arts: Investigate how creativity shapes the way we see, interpret, and interact with the world
• Creative: Craft original stories that transform personal experiences and imagination into narrative
• Social Issues: Use writing as a tool for awareness, dialogue, and meaningful change
• Science and Technology: Explore how innovation redefines what it means to live, work, and connect in the modern world

Please note that while you will be specializing in only one of these platforms, you will have the opportunity to write in the other platforms, as well as flexibility within your assigned platform to experiment with genre and form.

WFP Q&A Event

On Monday July 13 from 7-8pm ET, Writer-in-Residence Erica Ngao and four of INKspire’s 2025/26 writer fellows will answer your burning questions about the Writer Fellowship Program. For the Zoom link, sign up here: https://forms.gle/TvPLTurbaLgdbBeo6

Responsibilities and Commitments

All participants are required to:

• Commit to participating in the entirety of the program (from September 2026 – September 2027)
• Meet article deadlines and complete required revisions so all five articles are published on INKspire’s website
• Attend required workshops, onboarding sessions, team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and other program activities
• Communicate regularly with team members via Slack
• Complete the final capstone project
• Attend in-person events in downtown Toronto
• Time commitment: approximately 1-5 hours a week

Skills and Qualifications

• Reliable and able to independently manage time
• Strong command of the English language, with exceptional writing and communication skills
• Able to maintain unique voice while adopting INKspire’s style and tone
• Passionate about writing and sharing ideas with peers through articles and group discussions in-person and via Zoom
• Identifies as a woman or non-binary person between the ages of 18 and 24, and is located in Toronto

Our Interview Process

• After you submit your application, our team will review all materials carefully and evaluate candidates based on whether the Writer Fellowship Program aligns with the writer’s goals.
• Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend a mandatory information session. This session is designed to give you a clearer understanding of the program, expectations, and what the fellowship involves, as well as an opportunity to ask any questions.
• Following the information session, successful applicants will be contacted within 2 weeks with next steps and additional details regarding the program.

Priority will be given to youth living in the City of Toronto or within the Greater Toronto Area and who self-identify as a member of the following groups: racialized persons, Indigenous Peoples, LGBTQ2S+ persons, and people with disabilities. However, we strongly encourage all who are interested to apply.

Please note that due to the large volume of applicants we receive, only short-listed applicants will be contacted.