Mentor Programs
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| © Sheree Tomba |
One of best ways to learn your craft and the business of children's writing is to get a mentor. You can network and find mentors individually, or apply to organized programs. Here are several highly recommended mentorship programs:
The Power of Mentorship: Or How Roald Dahl Helped Me Become a Writer
Picture Books
- What: a 4-month mentorship with an agented picture book author or agent, exclusive workshops from industry professionals, publishing business intensives, community building, more
- Who: un-agented picture book authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators, plus agented PB creators without agented-represented picture book deals. Read the eligibility requirements and FAQs. Apply to each mentor individually, and you can apply to as many as you want as long as your are eligible for the program
- Deadlines: apply by March 13, 2026
Middle Grade/YA/Adult
Nevada SCBWI Mentor Program
- What: a six-month mentorship for advanced MG & YA writers with two in-person conferences
- Who is eligible: SCBWI members
- When to apply: stay posted for next round (last round applications were in Sept and Oct 2025)
All Levels PB-YA
- What: apply for one of 15 one-year mentorships with award-winning book creators (PB text, illustration, MG, YA)
- Who is eligible: children's writers or illustrators from diverse backgrounds
- When to apply: usually open between Aug. 14-Sept. 15
Be Your Own Mentor (a website providing resources on revising, industry, craft)
- What: a three-month mentorship for PB, MG, YA pre-published writers and/or illustrators
- Who is eligible: yet to be published traditionally LGBTQ+ writers & illustrators
- When to apply: last round March- May 2025
- What: a mentorship program for writers who identify as Latinx
- Who: un-agented, unpublished writers of books
- When to apply: check in the fall 2026
- What: pairs writers from underrepresented groups with experienced book publishing editors (from Simon & Schuster)
- When to apply: sign up to newsletter for updates of 2026 program
- What: work one-on-one with authors or illustrators
- Who: SCBWI members of the Rocky Mountain Chapter
- When to apply: check in Sept/Oct 2026
- What: Matches writers to experienced professional in three-month modules
- When to apply: Feb 15-March 15, 2026
Agent Mentorships
- What: a year long mentorship program with experienced agents to increase the promotion and retention of people in the business from historically underrepresented groups; also a summer fellowship program for college students
- When to apply: Feb. 1 deadline for Mentorship program; March 1 for summer fellowship
Other
- What: A podcast about the publishing journey