Mentor Programs
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| © Kathryn Rammell |
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
Picture Book Rising Stars (applications closes in a week!)
- What: a 3-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
- When: apply for mentorship March 7-21
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: Sept. 29, 2025 (Nevada SCBWI member), Oct 13 (SCBWI members)
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: 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- Who: un-agented, unpublished writers of books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 2025 to apply for 2026 cycle
- What: pairs writers from underrepresented groups with experienced book publishing editors (from Simon & Schuster)
- When to apply: keep an eye out for 2024 mentorship
- What: work one-on-one with authors or illustrators
- Who: SCBWI members of the Rocky Mountain Chapter
- When to apply: check in Sept/Oct 2025
- 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