Rosemary Brosnan — Vice President and Publisher of the Heartdrum and Quill Tree Books imprints at HarperCollins Children’s Books — has committed to match every donation dollar-for-dollar, up to $3,000.

That means your gift will be doubled.

• Your $50 becomes $100.
• Your $150 becomes $300.
• Your $500 becomes $1,000.

Meeting this challenge ensures Native writers can gather in 2026 for mentorship, craft development, and community — at substantially reduced cost to the Native creators participating.

We first launched the Writing Intensive to address a need — fewer than two percent of children’s-YA books published in the U.S. depict Native and Indigenous characters. In part because of this program, that number has increased to nearly three percent.

Our goal today is simple and urgent:
To help Native writers hone their craft, strengthen their publishing pathways, and bring authentic Native stories to young readers.

Since 2020, we’ve hosted the Intensive every summer, welcoming Native writers from across the U.S. and Canada. Over four days, participants attend keynotes and workshops, receive professional manuscript critiques, and build lasting community. Since its launch, the Intensive has supported 68 Native creatives, and more than 10% have signed with literary agents. Prior attendees have shared:

“I gained a supportive writing community that feels like an extended family.” — Tehya Foussat, Intensive attendee

“It was the most inclusive, safe space I could ask for.” — Alaina E. Roberts, Intensive attendee

Led by author Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee), the Intensive was created in partnership with We Need Diverse Books and Heartdrum, the Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children’s Books.

Writers like Stacy Wells (Choctaw Nation) and Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma) found mentorship and connection that helped bring their forthcoming books to life. Angeline Boulley, whose novel Firekeeper’s Daughter became a national bestseller and was optioned by the Obamas for Netflix, also participated and now serves on the WNDB board.

Rosemary has been instrumental in making this work possible. Throughout her career, she has championed diverse voices, publishing leading Native authors through Heartdrum and helping strengthen the broader children’s publishing landscape.

Her leadership makes this match more than a gift. It’s a statement: Native voices belong in publishing.

Right now, your gift goes twice as far.

Rosemary has stepped forward as a publishing leader. Will you join her?

Together, we can unlock the $3,000 match and fully fund the 2026 Native Writing Intensive.