Diversity, Equity, &
Inclusion

Superstars Writing Seminars is committed to diverse, equitable, and inclusive representation across the entire writing community, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, women, people with disabilities, neurodiversities, body sizes, religions, nationalities, ages, and all other marginalized and underrepresented people.

Superstars Writing Seminars seeks to be an inclusive and safe space physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Ongoing positive support across the Superstars family of instructors and attendees, not just during the annual in-person event but also within the virtual and digital year-long related platforms, is at the heart of this goal.

We’re actively working to bring onboard diverse instructors and offer reserved scholarships that will allow more marginalized people who might not otherwise be able to afford to attend the seminar to attend.

We’re proud to announce that we’re making space for marginalized communities to apply for a special branch of the scholarships for our seminars.

Our goal is to increase the diversity of Superstars and provide an opportunity for people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ persons who might not otherwise be able to afford the conference. We want to see the industry open up to these unique voices and interesting perspectives. Superstars is proud to present the Expanding Universe Scholarship. Scholarship recipients will receive a free registration to the Intensive Skills Day and to the main business seminars that follow, for four full days of learning that will help them better navigate the pitfalls of publishing and enhance their career.

The window to apply for the Superstars Expanding Universe Scholarship will open this summer.

You can donate directly to the scholarship fund using the following link. Be sure to select the appropriate scholarship when making your donation.

We’re excited to welcome Jayrod P. Garrett as our new Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator!

Jayrod P. Garrett (they/him) is a poet, storyteller, educator with RISE Academy, and a poetry volunteer with Teen Author Bootcamp. Hailing from Northern Utah, Jayrod has performed with Next Ensemble, Salt Lake Acting Company, and is the current President of Northern Wasatch Oasis. They are currently writing a book of pictures and poetry. They hope to complete funding for its Kickstarter in late Summer 2023. They are also in the process of starting a publishing company.

Jayrod was the Managing Editor for Epiphany Nontraditional Student Literary Journal during their undergraduate career in Spring 2011 and 2013. They won first place in poetry with the journal in 2014. They were also published in Metaphor Undergraduate Literary Journal in 2014 and later by the League of Utah Writers in anthologies in both 2020 & 2021. They are currently a graduate student seeking their MFA at the University of Nevada–Reno and are set to graduate in the Spring of 2024.