Creator Fellowship

The Creator Fellowship is an idea we are exploring. It is not a programme, it is not open for applications, and there is no money attached. We describe it here because we think it is worth discussing in public, and because we would rather share a concept honestly than announce a launch we cannot deliver.

The idea

Independent creators, such as writers, designers, audio makers and small-studio founders, often work alone and lack feedback, visibility and a community of peers. A fellowship, in our imagination, would pair a small group of creators with editors and each other for a defined period, giving their work a place to be seen and improved.

What it might offer

• Editorial mentoring: sharpening a body of work with an experienced editor.
• Space on the platform to publish pieces, with a clear byline and credit.
• Peer feedback, through small group sessions.
• Practical guidance on owning an audience, licensing and pricing work.

Principles we would hold ourselves to

If we ever run a fellowship, we would commit to rules that protect creators.

1. No fee to apply, and no fee to take part.
2. Creators keep the ownership of their work, granting only a clear, limited licence to publish.
3. Selection criteria published in advance, applied fairly and explained to those who are not selected.
4. No promise of income, exposure or career outcomes that we cannot guarantee.
5. Any funding clearly described, including its source and conditions.

What we will not do

We will not collect applications before the programme exists. We will not announce dates, amounts or named partners until they are real. We will not use the word fellowship to describe something that is really an unpaid internship, a contest or a marketing campaign. This page has no application form for that reason.

How you can follow progress

If the idea interests you, join the waiting list for the Morning Drop, where any announcement would appear first once the newsletter launches. You can also tell us what a fellowship would need to offer to be useful to you through the contact page. Those answers will shape whether we proceed at all.

Meanwhile

If you are a creator with a pitch, the Submit a Story page is open. It does not offer compensation during the launch edition, and it says so plainly, but it can lead to a published piece with your name on it.