This programme guides six talented writers and illustrators from six different European countries to produce inclusive stories for children. Each participant is matched to a mentor from their own country. The mentor is an experienced author or illustrator with a large network and coaches the participants in writing or drawing stories.
During the programme, the participants follow workshops and online masterclasses to deepen their knowledge of inclusive storytelling. Residencies will give participants the opportunity to further work on their stories while being in a new environment.
The Talent Development Programme is developed by ROSE stories and financially supported by the Dutch Foundation for Literature.
What's it about?
Masterclasses
Six online and interactive masterclasses on inclusive storytelling, available for free online
View the masterclasses >>
Residencies
Participants will have the chance to further develop their story while staying in another European partner country.
Pitching
Presenting new, inclusive stories to publishers at international book fairs and the audience of the Zagreb Book Festival
Who is taking part?
Shamisa Debroey
Illustrator from Belgium
Graduated in 2011 from Sint Lukas Brussels with her first graphic novel “Verdwaald”, which was published by Oog&Blik/De Bezige Bij. The novel was well received by Focus Knack, De Morgen and De Standaard. Since then she has won the African Artist Award and Up-and-coming-talent Award by TheAuthors. She is currently working as a freelance artist, curator and art-organiser for clients like Apple, NRC Handelsblad, Vooruit and many more.
Mirna Brođanac
Writer from Croatia
Born in 1992 in Slavonski Brod, in the east of Croatia. She graduated from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences in Zagreb with a master’s degree in Comparative Literature and Croatian Language and Literature. In July 2019, Mirna participated in a creative writing workshop led by Canadian-Croatian writer Josip Novaković. Her stories were published in the electronic journal of the Croatian writer Miljenko Jergović “The Eiffel Bridge”and in the printed journal of the Istrian branch of the Croatian Writers' Association “New Istria”.
Najiba Abdellaoui
Writer from The Netherlands
Is a Moroccan-Dutch poet, writer and communications professional. It was hip-hop that first inspired her to explore her voice as a writer. This led to many stories, national and international spoken word performances and workshop rooms where she encourages youngsters to unravel the stories they carry within them. The power of self-expression and what it can do for the sense of identity, self-confidence and emancipation of youngsters continuous to amaze and motivate her to further explore the world of storytelling.
Inês Viegas Oliveira
Illustrator and writer from Portugal
Was born in 1995 at the sunny southern city of Tavira, Portugal. In an old tape recorded by her father, she incessantly repeats to the camera “and now, what should I do?”. She has a Bachelor’s in Physics and an interrupted Master’s in Mathematics. In 2019, she earned a post graduate degree in Illustration. In the following year, Inês was selected to the Illustrators Exhibition of Bologna Children’s Book Fair. She still questions everything, but now she occasionally stops to draw. Her first picture book will be published by Bruaá in 2020.
Manaf Alattar
Illustrator from Germany
Was born in Syria and he started drawing since he can remember. He studied Graphic Design but never got to graduate, due to the situation in Syria. Manaf moved to Istanbul in 2014 and started his art page on facebook to stay motivated to keep doing more art. His art has always been a way to express himself and he has been keen on creating his own style. After moving to Berlin, almost two years later, he started mixing music with art and always tries to find new ways to improve himself.
Staša Guček
Illustrator from Slovenia
Is creating connections between various fields of art, technology and sound. She is floating between scientific and imaginary illustration, analog electronics, bioacoustics, field recordings and grows affinity and care for the world of insects and fragile ecosystems. She is developing custom stand-alone analog electronic instruments and mentoring DIY soldering workshops. She is a member of an experimental musical collective Kikimore creating ambiental noise sound scapes.
Photo: (C) Peter Žagar
