Happy Pride month everyone! Folks, we made it. Whether you’re visiting our website for the first time, or if you’re a long time Young Adulting consumer, welcome!
Let me start by saying, it’s wonderful to be back. The sun was shining earlier this week, classes are done (apologies to those taking summer courses), and books are coming off the ‘to be read’ pile and are actually *finally* being given the full attention they deserve.
In the coming weeks we’ll be sharing industry news, job listings, reviews, and author interviews, so come on back to see what new things we have to share with you.
Of course, if you want to get involved, you can send us your very own writing for children and teens through our first page reader program! This is a great low stakes way to share a bit of your writing with our corner of the web-world.
Now, without further ado, let’s get into all the exciting things the literary world has to offer.
Industry Events and News
Tanya Lloyd Kyi’s nonfiction middle grade novel, Feeling Your Feelings, has been nominated for a Hackmatack Award! If you aren’t familiar with Tanya or her work, you should be! She’s one of UBC’s very own lecturers within the UBC School of Creative Writing and is also the author of over thirty books for children and young adults.
Feeling Your Feelings, illustrated by Phil Nicholls, explores how and why humans experience emotions, as well as why we react physically in different ways. Congratulations Tanya! Our fingers are crossed for you and your wonderful book!
The shortlists for this year’s Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards was announced at the end of May! These exciting awards extends to both picture books and middle grade/young adult novels. Something really unique about this award is that the winners are chosen by student jurors! If you ask us at Young Adulting, it makes a lot of sense to have the target audience for these books be the people who choose the 2026 winners. The winners will be announced in the coming weeks, but, before then, we’d just like to say congratulations to everyone in the running; it is a tremendous feat and it’s important to recognize how far you’ve already come.
You can check out the novels on the shortlist here!
For all the teens out there, the Vancouver Public Library has some really awesome programs and events running at the moment.
If you’ve ever thought about creating a video game, this might be your first foray in! On Thursday June 4th, VPL has an online event from 2-3:30pm called “Let’s Talk Making an Indie Game.”
From the page: “Do you have an idea for a video game but don’t know where to start? Are you in the process of making a game but want to learn more?
This webinar will give you an overview of the process of developing an indie, or independent, game, including how to decide what kind of game you want to make, what game engine you should choose, and how to share it with others.”
There’s no need to register, simply follow the link at the bottom of the page here!
For those 13-18 years old and interested in getting some publishing experience, the ink teen advisory group is accepting applicants from Vancouver who want to get involved in creating the 9th volume of the magazine. For those who haven’t heard of ink TAG, this is a group for teens who are interested in art, writing and publishing.
Members will be involved in all aspects of the magazine’s publishing cycle, including selecting pieces, magazine design and layout, and planning the launch party. To learn more and get involved, read the full specs here.
The next meeting will take place on June 4th from 4-5pm over zoom, so go register and hop on that call!
Last but certainly not least, Blue Pencil Writing Consults is back and ready to give writers professional editing advice! This event takes place online on June 16th from 7:30-8:30PM PST. This is a great chance to get some personalized advice and attention on your work! From the registration page: “Need an expert opinion on how to take your writing project to the next level? Sign up for an editing session with a member of the British Columbia branch of Editors Canada to get feedback on your writing. Provide your submission of up to 2,500 words in advance, along with a short description of your project and one question for the editor. An editor will prepare a two-page report and discuss it with you during the Zoom session.” Learn more and register here.
Submissions and Opportunities
- The Toronto Public Library is accepting applications for the TD Summer Reading Club Artist position! This position is open to all Canadian illustrators and this year’s campaign is titled “Read the Rhythm.”
From the description page:
“This summer, kids will explore the rhythms that shape their world—beats, patterns, movements, and sounds that connect nature, culture, bodies, language, and imagination. Rhythm is everywhere: in the pulse of a drum, the swoosh of a skipping rope, the murmuration of birds, the crash of waves, the hum of a city streetcar, and the flowing cadence of stories and poems, as well as the steady heartbeat that keeps us moving.
Kids will discover how rhythm can be heard, felt, seen, read, and expressed. We will experiment with sound waves and vibrations, try body percussion, create instruments from everyday objects, and explore tactile ways to sense rhythm. Through books, music, poetry, and spoken word, kids will notice patterns in words
and language. They will explore how animals communicate through dances and calls, how seasons and tides follow natural patterns, and how rhythm helps us remember, learn, build language skills, and connect.”
This is a 13th month long position that pays $ 37,131.50 and runs from August 2026-August 2027. Applications are due June 29th, at 9AM so visit the listing and prep your materials! Full specs can be found here.
- Brown Paper Fox is currenlty open for submissions! This is a small indie press that uplifts and highlights emerging writers. They’re currently accepting manuscripts from Canadian authors.
From the submissions page:
“We are looking for stories that celebrate diversity, champion acceptance, and introduce us to strong, unforgettable characters. Whether it’s a story that makes us laugh out loud, one that makes us cry (both sad and happy tears welcome), or a tale with a touch of whimsy, we want to see it.
What We Are Looking For:
Series Potential: We love characters who have the potential to carry us on multiple adventures.
Early Readers: Engaging stories for those just beginning their reading journey.
Early Chapter Books: Bridge books with high-interest plots.
Middle-Grade (MG): Adventurous or emotional stories for ages 8–12.”
Click on over to their submissions site to learn more and submit here!
- If you’re over 18 and Canadian, Kids Can Press is accepting the following manuscript submissions:
- Non-rhyming picture books for ages 3–5 / 3–7 / 4–8
- Nonfiction for ages 5–8 / 7–10 / 8–12 / 10–14
- Fiction for ages 6–9 / 7–10 / 8–12 /10–14
- Graphic novels (fiction and nonfiction) for ages 5-8 / 6-9 / 7-10 / 8-12
To find out more, read the full specs here.
- Annick Press is open for submissions!
They share that “Annick Press is currently accepting submissions of picture books, early chapter books, middle grade fiction, YA fiction, graphic novels, and non-fiction for kids of all ages. We also encourage illustrators to submit their portfolios for consideration. Our books aim to empower readers, open minds, and create a lifelong love of reading. They feature contemporary themes (even if the setting is historical) and center kids’ perspectives and experiences.”
So, if you’ve got your manuscripts ready, polish them up and follow the submission guidelines found here.
- Lastly, a fun opportunity is afoot! This year, the 8th annual Unpublished Picture Book Showcase will be taking place and applications are currently open! This is open to emerging and established picture book artists and illustrators who are trying to find a home for their unpublished project!
From the dPICTUS website: “Picturebook makers from all around the world submit their unpublished projects to be considered by a large jury of top international publishers. The jury publishers vote independently for their favourites, and the projects with the most votes go into a unique book fair showcase and are presented online to hundreds of publishers in the dPICTUS community. Picturebook projects from our previous showcases continue to be acquired by publishers around the world, and many of the artists have been approached by publishers and agents.”
If this sounds interesting to you, apply and read on here! Applications close July 5th.
Job Opportunities:
- HarperCollins Canada is looking for an Editorial Assistant. This is a full time permanent position based out of Toronto.
The job summary is as follows: “The Editorial Assistant is responsible for a wide range of administrative and editorial support for the global series publishing program. This is an editorial training role, in which the Editorial Assistant will learn to perform many functions that support various aspects of book publishing, including: brainstorming and research to support new initiatives; managing tools to enhance discoverability including metadata; and working on various stages of the editorial production process. This role also provides a front-line contact for the Editorial team and assists in positively portraying the company to external sources.”
This team works closely with the brand marketing, editorial, art and sales departments to develop and raise awareness for books under the Harlequin Brand publishing umbrella across a wide variety of genres.”
This position was posted mid May and they are still accepting applicants – you can read more and apply here.
- The Vancouver Public Library is accepting applications for Library Public Service Associate I. There are several positions open for roles at the Joe Fortes Branch, Renfrew Branch, and the West Point Grey Branch.
Library Public Service Associates (“LPSAs”) work at all VPL locations across the city. They staff VPL’s service desks, checking in and out items and answering basic questions to help patrons in a friendly and welcoming way. The library welcomes people from all walks of life. They share that a genuine desire to help people will be a great asset in this role!
Duties will involve sorting and shelving books and other resources which requires the ability to lift and handle a high volume of physical items during a shift, and to stand, reach, bend, and move around the library comfortably for long periods of time. You will be part of a system that circulates over 5 million items per year!
Applications close June 8th, so, check out the job specifications and apply soon!
As always, please do send us your news related to children’s and young adult literature at young.adulting@ubc.ca so we can feature them in future newsletters. And remember to keep up with us on on Instagram!
Take care, and happy reading,
The Young Adulting Editors
YOUNG ADULTING 