⭐ Signature Initiative

From Student to
Published Author.
One School at a Time.

The Classroom Author Project is J Merrill Foundation's most distinctive program — a multi-week writing residency that takes students through a complete publishing experience, ending with a real, printed book in the world.

Founding Prototype

Let Me Tell You About It
Chillicothe, Ohio — 8th Grade

We did not pilot a writing workshop. We published a book with an 8th grade class in Chillicothe, Ohio. The students wrote it. J Merrill Publishing printed it. The book is real.

This project proved the model: when you treat students as authors — not as students writing — they produce work that deserves to be published. Because it does.

Let Me Tell You About It is the prototype for every Classroom Author Project partnership that follows. The model is repeatable, fundable, and uniquely J Merrill.

See the full impact story →
"We did not just teach students to write. We made them authors. That changes how they see themselves — and how the world sees them."
— Jackie Smith Jr., Founder

School

Chillicothe, OH

Grade

8th Grade

Output

Published Book

Publisher

J Merrill Publishing

How the Program Works

01

School Partnership

We partner with a classroom, teacher, or school program. We handle the publishing process end-to-end.

02

Writing Residency

Foundation mentors lead students through story structure, drafting, editing, and revision over multiple weeks.

03

Editorial Review

Manuscripts go through a professional editorial process — the same process every J Merrill author experiences.

04

Published & Printed

The book is printed by J Merrill Publishing. Students hold a physical copy of their work in their hands.

05

On Sale

The anthology is listed on jmerrill.pub and sold publicly. Proceeds are split between the Foundation and the student authors.

Youth Author Pipeline

Not in a partner school? Students ages 8–18 can apply to the Youth Author Pipeline individually. Each year we publish an annual anthology featuring selected submissions from the pipeline — and the top manuscript receives a full J Merrill Publishing review.

Applications for the inaugural 2025 Youth Anthology open soon.

Express Interest

Bring the Program to Your School

We partner with educators, school administrators, and community organizations to design a writing residency that fits your students and your schedule. The only requirement: a classroom ready to become published authors.

Submit a School Partnership Inquiry