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| © Emilie Boon |
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:
Picture Books
Writing with the Stars
- What: 3-month mentorship for picture book writers and illustrators with published PB authors/illustrators
- Who is eligible: un-agented and unpublished PB writers & illustrators
- When to apply: January each year
- What: a free 3-month mentorship (Aug 1- Nov 1) with a traditionally published picture book author
- When to apply: June 26-July 15
- Who is eligible: un-agented, not previously published, not under contract, and not been mentored in the past year
Middle Grade/YA
Author Mentor Match
- What: a mentorship to revise a completed MG or YA manuscript with agented/published MG/YA authors
- Who is eligible: un-agented & unpublished MG/YA writers
- When to apply: AMM Round 6 opens for application early March 2019. Round 7 opens in the Fall (sign up for the newsletter for news)
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: Sept. 1- Dec. 15, 2018
Pitch Wars
- What: apply for a mentorship to polish your completed, full-length MG, YA, NA, or adult manuscript with a published author to prepare for an agent showcase
- Who is eligible: un-agented & unpublished writers
- When to apply: Sept. 27-29, 2019
- What: matches emerging writers and published authors for a three-month series of modules on topics such as craft, revision, publishing, and the writing life
- Who is eligible: members of AWP (Association of Writers & Writing Programs)
- When to apply: open twice a year, in August & January
All Levels PB-YA
- What: a variety of mentorship programs for children's authors and illustrators
- Who is eligible: SCBWI members
- When to apply: check individual listings
- What: apply for one of 11 mentorships with award-winning book creators (3 PB, 3 MG, 3 YA, 1 MG/YA NF, 1 illustrator)
- Who is eligible: any diverse writer/illustrator with a complete manuscript with diverse main character or subject matter
- When to apply: Fall 2019
- What: a year-long paid customized course for PB, MG, YA writers. Includes one-on-one mentorship and two in person conferences
- When to apply: by Nov. 15, 2018
Be Your Own Mentor (a website providing resources on revising, industry, craft)
