The Spotify x JED Impact Award is a new initiative to identify five unpublished, novel-length manuscripts that elevate exceptional depictions of mental health in fiction.
The selected recipients will receive a grant of $10k each and will maintain the rights to their manuscript.
This initiative is open to unpublished manuscripts of all genres, but we particularly encourage submissions that normalize mental health experiences, challenge stereotypes, and showcase help-seeking and help-giving narratives.
As a part of the initiative, Spotify will cover up to 140 fee waivers for one month of free hosting and a free evaluation.
The Black List requires all submissions to have received at least one evaluation–for more information on this requirement, please see our Letter from the Founder. Once a manuscript has received an evaluation, it can be submitted to any number of partnerships at no additional cost.
When the submission period ends, The Black List will provide Spotify with a shortlist of outstanding manuscripts.
Submissions for the Spotify x JED Impact Award: A Mental Health in Fiction Initiative are open until July 8, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://blcklst.com/programs/spotify-x-jed-impact-award
