Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship
Funded by an anonymous investor, the Associates of the Boston Public Library's Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship intends to makes a profound impact on the lives of emerging writers.
Provide
Provide an emerging writer of a picture book for children with the financial support and editorial assistance needed to complete one work for children ages 0 to 10.
Encourage
Promote
2026-2027 Picture Book Writer fellow
Meet our Second Picture Book Writer Fellow
Jade Hawes
The Associates of the Boston Public Library proudly announces Jade Hawes, Burlington, VT, as the 2026-27 Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellow.
Jade's, The Mango Seed, selected from 95 submissions, follows two siblings who must say goodbye to their beloved tree and journey to a safer place. Jade was inspired by her work in the humanitarian field and her desire to create safe spaces for children processing grief, trauma, and displacement. “One of the most important lessons they taught me was about the healing power of story” said Jade about the power of representation in picture books. Jade is a clinical mental health counseling intern providing psychotherapy to children and is pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Vermont. “There has never been a better time for a book like this - and this is the right book at the right time” said Rick Richter, Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative Management and member of the blind judging panel.
Thanks to a generous anonymous investor, the Alan Andres Picture Book Fellowship is in its second year. Jade will receive a $25,000 stipend and $2,500 toward coaching or editing support. Hear from Jade at the Alan Andes Writing Fellows Reading on October 6, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Rabb Hall at the Central Library in Copley Square. We will also celebrate outgoing 2025-26 Alan Andres Writing Fellows Zarlasht Niaz and Jessica Yuan.
"The Mango Seed by Jade Hawes transforms the author's many experiences working with children in crisis around the world into a picture book narrative that feels poetic and universal. Through the specific story of two siblings who are forced to leave their home, and the mango tree they knew and loved, the author builds, like the bricks in a strong home, a way through the fear and grief that's made real by love and memories."Brian Selznick, author-illustrator and member of the panel
Applications for the 2026-2027 Program Cycle are now closed.
Benefits
- $25,000 stipend, paid in monthly installments over one year.
- The opportunity to request up to an additional $2,500 to be paid to an expert of your choice for coaching, editorial assistance, a critical reading of your manuscript, or a similar activity that will be helpful to you in completing your manuscript.
- Completed manuscript will be added to the BPL’s Special Collections (the writer retains all rights to their completed work)
- Opportunity to publicly present your manuscript at a fall reading.
- Opportunities to establish connections with writers (including previous Fellows), publishers, artists, and the community-at-large through participation in/attendance at library readings, lectures, and other events.
Eligibility
- Submitted manuscripts will be judged on their ability to tell a compelling and original story appropriate to the developmental age of the intended audience.
- Works that qualify can be either of any in the following categories:
- Ages 0–2 (board books)
- Ages 3–8 (picture books and early readers)
- Eligible projects may include fiction, non-fiction, memoir, or poetry. Graphic novels are not eligible.
- Since this program is intended for emerging authors, applicants should not have already published any books for children.
- The fellowship is only available to U.S. citizens or green card holders living in New England (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Vermont) at this time.
- Only one proposal may be submitted per person.
- There is no requirement to work at the Boston Public Library, though the recipient will have the chance to attend events at the library with other writers.
- The Associates of the Boston Public Library does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or educational attainment.
- Works by talented writer-illustrators are welcome; however, the story or concept will be given greater importance.
- No AI may be used in the creation of this submission.
Terms of Fellowship
- You will participate in a public reception at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square to mark the beginning of your fellowship.
- Throughout the fellowship, you will consult with a designated member of the Associates staff or board on a regular basis to keep them apprised of progress on your manuscript.
- During your fellowship, you will participate in or create at least one program for Boston Public Library patrons, such as a presentation to Boston-area students, as mutually agreed upon with BPL Youth Services staff.
- Throughout your fellowship and thereafter, you will be considered an Ambassador for the Associates of the BPL. You will include an acknowledgment to the Associates of the BPL in all work created during the residency, and during any media opportunities stemming from the program, using mutually agreed upon language.
- You will complete a completed manuscript by the end of residency, which you will present at a second public reception, on a mutually agreed upon date.
Application Process
- To apply, please complete the application form on Submittable and upload a proposal (2 pages maximum) and writing sample (5 pages maximum) by (June 5, 2026) at 11:59 pm. No extensions will be provided or granted. The documents should be double spaced with one-inch margins and at least 11-point font. The attachments should not include any biographical information, since there will be a blind judging process. See our FAQs for more details.
- Basic questions about the application will be answered via email (via picturebook@associatesbpl.org); no calls please. Questions regarding how to present your work will not be considered. Inquiries concerning applications under review will not be answered.
- If using Submittable creates an undue burden for you, you can alternatively mail your submission following the format and answering the questions on the Submittable form to: Alan Andres Picture Book Writer Fellowship, Associates of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116. All mailed submissions must be postmarked before 11:59 p.m. on (June 5, 2026).
- Late applications will not be considered. Once submitted, applications cannot be altered by either candidates or program staff.
Selection Process
- Finalists will be evaluated by a panel of judges, which includes a rotating group of authors, librarians, booksellers, publishers, editors, literary agents, book designers, teachers, and/or citizens representing different areas in the field of children’s literature. Associates staff do not vote in this process. In addition to naming the fellow, the judges may also designate a selection of finalists.
- The judges do not know the candidates’ names, gender, educational qualifications, or any background information. This blind judging process is focused solely on the quality of the submissions.
- Judges will be looking for compelling and original stories that are developmentally appropriate to board books or picture books. Particular attention will be given to texts that convey memorable or unique characters, distinctive settings, and an emotionally compelling plot.
- The text must also serve to inspire an illustrator's creative interpretation. Writers may electronically submit instructions to a future illustrator of the work that suggest the flow of words, images, and page breaks.
Questions? Check out our FAQs or email us at picturebook@AssociatesBPL.org
2025-2026 Picture Book Writer fellow
Meet our First Picture Book Writer Fellow
Jessica Ruan
The Associates of the Boston Public Library proudly announces Jessica Ruan as the 2025-26 Picture Book Writer Fellow. An Asian American illustrator, writer, and designer with a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design, Jessica won with her proposal for a picture book for ages 3–5. A Hundred Thousand tells the story of a parent reassuring their child, through examples from the animal world, that no matter how large the crowd, their bond will always lead them back to each other. On hearing the news, Jessica said, "I was absolutely overjoyed, it all felt surreal! I can't begin to express how grateful I am for this opportunity, and to all those who have supported me along the way.”
In a blind judging process, a panel including Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, Rick Richter, Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative, and Ariel Richardson, Senior Editor of Children’s at Chronicle Books, selected Jessica’s submission from 311 applications. Thanks to an anonymous investor’s dedication to emerging writers, this fellowship’s stipend of $25,000, along with additional funds for coaching or editing, will provide Jessica with the support needed to create an illustrated book for children.
We had several excellent submissions, but Jessica Ruan’s picture book stood out as a fully formed idea, beautifully illustrated, and with a heartfelt message of the eternal love of a caregiver for a child.Rick Richter, Senior Partner at Aevitas Creative and the third member of the panel
REMEMBERING OUR FRIEND AND DEDICATED BOARD MEMBER
ALAN ANDRES
It is with deep sadness that we note the passing of long-time Associates’ Board member Alan Andres. For almost three decades, Alan was truly invaluable to all aspects of our work. He brought his remarkable warmth, humor, and prodigious intellect, not just to the Associates, but to everything he did and to everyone he touched.
Alan was born in September 1953, growing up in the town of Wells, Maine. His love of books and of the written word, present from a young age, accompanied him throughout his life. Alan attended Colby College and, for a time after graduating, became an antiquarian bookseller. He found his true vocation, however, in writing and publishing. Moving to Boston, Alan joined Houghton Mifflin, rising through the ranks to become an editor.
Upon leaving Houghton Mifflin, Alan embarked on a freelance career, working with a wide range of non-fiction authors, helping to hone and perfect their prose. He served as editor of the Sundance Channel’s film magazine and as a consultant to a number of the films of documentarian Robert Stone. Their partnership culminated in their co-authorship of the book Chasing the Moon—the People, the Politics and the Promise that launched America into the Space Age.
Alan cherished his family. He leaves his wife, Anne Weaver, and their two children, as well as a host of friends and colleagues who will miss his laughter, insight, and generosity of spirit every day.
