MEDIA RELEASE
INKspire Launches First Print Anthology, Rising Voices, Amplifying Emerging Youth Voices in Canada
Toronto, ON — May 3, 2026 — On Sunday, INKspire, a youth-led nonprofit dedicated to amplifying the voices of young writers, released its first print anthology, INKspire: Rising Voices. The collection features original work from 25 emerging women and non-binary writers in INKspire’s Writer Fellowship Program, exploring themes of identity, legacy, resistance, grief, and joy.
The anthology debuted at a public launch event at Ben McNally Books in Toronto, where Writer Fellows shared readings of their work with members of the community. The event also provided an opportunity to highlight the impact of a three-year, $300,000 Youth Opportunities Fund grant awarded by the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) back in 2024. MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam was on hand to formally congratulate INKspire on what’s been happening since it received the grant to help it with providing training, workshops, mentorship, and networking opportunities to increase experience and skills in writing and publishing for racialized women ages 18-24 in Toronto.
“Thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for supporting the incredible work of INKspire Youth Organization,” said Kristyn Wong-Tam, MPP for Toronto Centre. “This grant will empower more racialized women in Toronto to develop their writing and publishing skills, opening doors for their creativity. Thank you for providing this opportunity to foster the professional growth of our next generation of artists.”
Founded in 2016, INKspire has grown into a national organization providing free, accessible programming and mentorship for young Canadian writers—particularly for historically underrepresented voices in the literary arts. Its online publication now features over 800 articles.
“This anthology represents a decade of community, growth, and belief in young writers,” said Frank Ong and Vivian Zhi, Co-Executive Directors for INKspire. “INKspire was created to ensure that young people have a space where their voices are heard. Rising Voices is a powerful reflection of who our writers are and who they are becoming.”
The anthology showcases work from the current cohort of INKspire’s Writer Fellowship Program, a free, year-long initiative supporting women and non-binary writers aged 18–24. Through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects, fellows develop their craft, build professional portfolios, and engage with Toronto’s literary community. Fellows also developed confidence by pushing beyond their usual genres and exploring complex topics.
“It has opened up the world of writing for me. Through the fellowship, I got to meet and create meaningful friendships with other writers, peers, and mentors. The workshops hosted by INKspire allowed me to learn practical, applicable writing skills and meet many other like-minded writers,” said Abigail Richards, Writer Fellow.
“I’m most proud of the way I was able to step outside of my comfort zone and write articles that touch on topics like race, grief, and unemployment. Before joining the program, I considered myself a fiction writer. But I was tasked with penning non-fiction pieces, causing me to reshape the way I write and think,” said Christina Apa, Writer Fellow.
INKspire is pleased to share that additional opportunities to meet the Writer Fellows and buy signed copies of Rising Voices on May 16th between 1:00-5:00 PM at Indigo at the Toronto Eaton Centre; May 17th between 1:00-3:00 PM at Type Books in Forest Hill; and on May 31st between 1:00-3:00 PM at Book People on Queen Street West.
Backgrounder
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-2026, OTF invested nearly $107M into 746 community projects. Through the Youth Opportunities Fund, OTF invests in community-led projects that play an essential role in creating safe spaces, empowering youth and families, supporting career pathways, and addressing issues faced by our communities. Visit otf.ca to learn more.
INKspire is a youth-led nonprofit organization that amplifies the voices of young writers. Through a safe and inclusive platform, INKspire supports youth to develop their skills, share their perspectives, and take on leadership roles to address the historic underrepresentation of emerging writers in the literary arts.
The Writer Fellowship Program is a free, year-long program designed to support women and non-binary writers aged 18–24. Participants gain hands-on publishing experience, build professional portfolios, and connect with the literary community through mentorship, workshops, and collaborative projects.
For more information please visit: INKspire; About INKspire; INKspire Writer Fellowship Program
Media Contact:
Vivian Zhi: [email protected]
Photo Credit: Vivian Van and Renfred Ragos
