WE’RE SEEKING BIPOC PUBLISHING ASPIRANTS COMMITTED TO TAKING THE NEXT STEP.
Inkluded Academy is a tuition-free publishing course taught by industry professionals that aims to educate and help place BIPOC publishing aspirants in the book business.
Held over the course of eight Saturdays in the summer, the Academy includes a rigorous curriculum, invested mentoring, and a commitment to job placement. The curriculum covers the foundational aspects of agenting, editorial, managing editorial, production, contracts, royalties, publicity, marketing, sales, scouting, and subsidiary rights. In addition to lectures, discussions, Q&A, practical instruction, and assignment review, each participant will receive career counseling, one-on-one sessions, and guidance from a mentor.
Inkluded Academy aims to be a much-needed pipeline between aspiring professionals from the BIPOC space and publishing. Matriculants who successfully complete the Academy in full, which includes attending all sessions and submitting all assignments, will receive a stipend from Inkluded.
DETAILS FOR SUMMER 2026 APPLICATIONS
Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
You must identify as BIPOC.
You must reside in the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut) and be able to commute into New York City. Applicants that do not currently reside in the tri-state area but are planning to relocate and are able to commute into NYC for the Academy’s in-person sessions may be considered.
Duration
The academy takes place between June 25-September 12, 2026.
Saturday classes take place virtually 10am-4pm EST. Thursday sessions take place virtually from 7pm to 9:30pm EST. Orientation and Capstone are conducted in-person.
All dates are mandatory, and participants are required to be present for the duration.
2026 Academy Schedule
THURSDAY, JUNE 25— Orientation Night (In-Person)
SATURDAY, JULY 11 — Agenting
SATURDAY, JULY 18 — Editorial
SATURDAY, JULY 25 — Royalties, Contracts
THURSDAY, JULY 30— Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviews
SATURDAY, AUGUST 1 — Managing Editorial, Production
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — Publicity, Sales, Marketing
SATURDAY, AUGUST 15 — Subsidiary Rights, Scouting
THURSDAY, AUGUST 20 — Resumes, Cover Letters, Interviews II
SATURDAY, AUGUST 22 — Job Applications, Interviews, Human Resources
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 — Capstone Presentation (In-Person)
Application
Applications will open February 17, 2026. Applications will close 11:59pm EST on April 19, 2026, or once we have received 200 applications. We encourage you to apply sooner rather than later. Final decisions will be made by May 29, 2026.
Contact academy@inkluded.org with any questions
PAST FACULTY - 2025
Each Inkluded Academy session is led by an industry expert, offering participants both insider knowledge and practical skills. We are deeply grateful to every faculty member who has taught with throughout the years.
- Julia Kardon – Literary Agent at Hannigan Getzler
- Mina Hamedi– Literary Agent at Janklow & Nesbit Associates
- Jenny Chen – Executive Editor at Ballantine Bantam Dell (Penguin Random House)
- Alexandra Hightower – Senior Editor, LBYR at Hachette Book Group
- Julia Crichton – Accounting Assistant at Writers House
- Janet Saines-Cardozo – Head of Contracts at Hachette Book Group
- Cecilia Gray – Production Editor at Simon Element (Simon & Schuster)
- Martina Rethman – Production Associate at Hachette Book Group
- Kamrun Nesa – Publicity Manager at Grand Central Publishing (Hachette Book Group)
- Jennifer Gray – Associate Director of International Sales at Hachette Book Group
- Maya Lewis – Marketing Manager at Legacy Lit Books (Hachette Book Group)
- Mia Roman – Agent & Founder at Roman Lit
- Kaye Baginsky – Scout at Daniela Schlingmann Literary Scouting
ACADEMY TESTIMONIALS
“Inkluded Academy not only gave me the experience I needed to enter the field of publishing, but the community I needed to keep me there. I'm surrounded by peers, mentors and professionals that all believe I can succeed. The Inkluded network has given me the support to do great things while receiving great care.”
—Gabby Bachoo, Inkluded Academy Matriculant, 2025
“My experience with Inkluded was really transformative. I've learned so much and feel so much more prepared to apply and enter the publishing industry now. Everyone in the Inkluded community is really passionate, supportive and committed to helping the matriculants grow and succeed! ”
—Livia Brito, Inkluded Academy Matriculant, 2025
“I feel so much more well versed about the publishing industry in ways I didn't expect. With excellent instructors, mentors, and an accessible executive director, I felt so supported on this career change and publishing journey. I would highly recommend this program for Bipoc professionals interested in finding a role in publishing.”
—Rose Heredia, Inkluded Academy Matriculant, 2025
“So much of publishing is obscure. Every person involved in Inkluded is invested in making the transition into the industry more accessible. I felt supported every step of the way.”
—Leila Holley, Inkluded Academy Matriculant, 2025
“Inkluded was comprehensive, rigorous and absolutely necessary for me. No one is doing what they do!”
—Zoe Mohaupt, Penguin Random House, Editorial Assistant (Class of ‘25)
“Inkluded Academy provided a wonderful introduction to publishing. The weekly sessions with professionals in the industry really helped me understand how I could find my own space in publishing.”