VS. Books

An imprint of Arsenal Pulp Press

A mentorship and publishing opportunity
for Indigenous writers, Black writers,
and writers of colour


VS. Books was created in 2017 with the goal of mentoring and publishing emerging, unpublished BIPOC writers living in Canada. Since then, we have had the privilege of publishing Téa Mutonji’s award-winning collection of short stories Shut Up You’re Pretty (currently a finalist on CBC’s Canada Reads) and Cicely Belle Blain’s poetry book Burning Sugar. Today I’m thrilled to share our next open call!

If you are a writer who is Indigenous, Black, or a person of colour, you have never published a book before, and you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, living in Canada, you are invited to email VS.Books@vivekshraya.com by September 3, 2024 with the following:

The mentorship will include:

Please note that if we have worked together before, through previous mentorship programs or in another capacity, you are still welcome to apply if you meet the other criteria. You may also apply if you have self-published a book, but the manuscript you submit must be new and not previously published in full anywhere else, including online. Please feel free to email me at the address above if you have any questions.

The application deadline is September 3, 2024. All applicants will be notified about the selection by December 20, 2024. The selection process will be based mainly on my ability to support you and your manuscript.

Look forward to working with you!

–VS