The Value of Mentorship Programs

Hello Everyone!

My name is Alyssa and I am a member of KidLit in Color. I am so excited to talk about the value of mentorship programs in this post because they were such an important aspect of my writing and publishing journey. 

I was fortunate enough to win three mentorship programs: The Las Musas Mentorship, The Word’s Editor-Author Mentorship, and PB Chat’s mentorship. More information about those opportunities and more below.

First, I want to share WHY mentorship programs are so invaluable. 

1. They are a great way to learn about the craft of writing. Who better to learn from than someone who has already done it successfully? My mentor also gave me honest individualized feedback on my manuscript and query letter. I learned to enjoy the process more and not to stress the query process. 
2. Learn about the business of writing. Writing is a calling but if you intend on getting published, it is also a business. A mentor can provide you with insight into the business aspects of writing. My mentor shared her experience writing and querying which was reassuring to know that these things take time.
3. Get access to trustworthy and accurate information. My mentor shared SO many resources and classes with me that had been vetted and accurate. There is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming and hard to know what is true. A mentor can help you filter out the noise. 
4. Writing is quite solitary but working with a mentor prepares you for the collaborative nature of working with an editor. My critique partners and my mentor helped me learn to take feedback and really think about the feedback critically instead of taking it personally. This was great practice for when it came time for me to work with an editor. I was able to be more objective. 
5. A mentor can help you get more plugged into the KidLit community which is important because the KidLit space is all about relationships. My mentors helped me connect with other authors and build community. Then I supported these authors by reading their books, reviewing their books, and recommending their books to others - all are great ways to support authors and build community.

There are MANY more reasons why mentorship programs are invaluable. But now I will share some TIPS for applying for mentorship opportunities. 

1. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. It would be a shame to spend time and energy on the application but then get disqualified because you did not follow the instructions.
2. READ THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. Your application can be the best one ever but before you take the time to apply, read the eligibility requirements and criteria carefully. There is no point in applying for a mentorship program you are not eligible for. 
3. JUST ASK. If you are not sure or something is unclear please contact them and ask.
4. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE. Be proactive. Many mentorship programs have sample applications you can use to prepare your application before the window to apply is open. You can plan ahead and start thinking about the answers to the questions ahead of time.
5. KEEP WRITING. After you apply, keep writing. Do not fixate and refresh your inbox 1,000X. Instead, keep writing. 

Please see below some mentorship programs to keep on your radar based on what genre/age group you write for. 

Picture Books

The #PBChat Mentorship 

• What: a 3-month mentorship with a traditionally published picture book author
• Who is eligible: writers that are unagented, not previously published, not under contract, and that have not been mentored in the past year
• Link to learn more: http://justincolonbooks.com/2021-mentorship/ 
  • I was selected to be mentored but needed to rescind my application as I was offered representation by an agent. I applied for this opportunity because the lineup of authors that Justin was able to pull together was amazing. I literally agonized, in a good way, about who I wanted to be my mentor. So much talent and the generous authors that volunteer their time to help mentees achieve their goal is why I love the KidLit community.

Picture Book Rising Stars

• What: a 3-month mentorship with an agented picture book author or agent
• Who is eligible: unagented (unagented creators with self-represented book deals may apply if currently seeking an agent), not have been mentored as part of another picture book mentorship program within the last year, be willing to not query during the duration of the mentorship
• Link to learn more: https://www.pbrisingstars.com/ 

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
• Link to learn more: https://nevada.scbwi.org/nevada-scbwi-mentor-program/ 

AWP: Writer-to-Writer Mentorships

• 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)
• Link to learn more: 

Write Team Mentorship Program

• What: apply to a 4-month mentorship.  
• Who is eligible: writers of MG, YA, and adult novels 
• Link to learn more: https://www.writeteammentors.com/about 

Diverse Voices DVMentor Program

• What: a 6-month mentorship program; published and agented book creators from traditionally marginalized and/or underrepresented communities will volunteer to mentor other self-identifying marginalized book creators, one-on-one
• Who is eligible: authors and illustrators who identify as a marginalized book creator
• Link to learn more: https://diversevoicesinc.org/dvmentor 

DVDebut Program

• What: a mentorship for authors debuting between June and Dec. 2021
• Who is eligible: authors/illustrators identifying as a marginalized book creator
• Link to learn more: https://diversevoicesinc.org/dvdebut 

Avengers of Colour

• What: apply to a mentor for your MG, YA, or adult manuscript
• Who is eligible: unagented authors of color who are ready to query
• Link to learn more: https://www.avengersofcolour.com/ 
• NOTE - It is unclear if they are still offering mentorship programs so follow on Twitter for updates.

Author Mentor Match

• What: a mentorship to revise a completed MG or YA manuscript with agented/published MG/YA authors
• Who is eligible: unagented & unpublished MG/YA writers
• NOTE - It is unclear if they are still offering mentorship programs so follow on Twitter for updates.

All Levels PB-YA

SCBWI Mentor Programs

• What: a variety of mentorship programs for children's authors and illustrators
• Who is eligible: SCBWI members
• Link to learn more: https://www.scbwi.org/scbwi-mentorship-programs/ 

We Need Diverse Books Mentorship Program

• What: apply for mentorships with award-winning book creators (PB text, illustration, MG, YA)
• Who is eligible: children's writers or illustrators from diverse backgrounds
• Link to learn more: https://diversebooks.org/programs/mentorship-program/ 

Las Musas Hermanas

• What: mentorship programs for children's authors and illustrators (PB, MG, YA)
• Who is eligible: traditionally unpublished Latinx KidLit writers
• Link to learn more: https://www.lasmusasbooks.com/mentorship.html 
  • My mentor Donna Barba Higuera changed my life. She provided me with resources and industry advice. She was honest in her feedback about my manuscripts, which is why they were able to improve tremendously. She encouraged me when the going got tough. I’m so glad she picked me to be her mentee because my life has been forever changed. Visit her website and buy her books. She is a talented middle-grade and picture book author. I am so excited to be a Las Musas mentor and give back to this community after my first book is published.

Editor-Writer Mentor Program

• What: pairs writers from underrepresented groups with experienced book publishing editors for a 6-9 month mentorship in the following categories: PB, MG, YA, Adult General, Adult Romance, Adult Memoir, Adult Sci-Fi, Adult Poetry, and more
• Who is eligible: Aspiring or upcoming writers from underrepresented groups (see explanation below) with a completed, unpublished manuscript in the above-outlined categories may apply. Applicants may apply in only one category.
• Link to learn more: https://www.thewordfordiversity.org/editor-writer-mentorship 
  • The Word’s Editor-Author Mentorship Program – Apply to this unique opportunity to be mentored by an actual EDITOR! WHAT? YES! An actual editor!!! My mentor actually ended up acquiring two of my manuscripts after we worked together for about a year. This opportunity changed my life. 

Children's Lit Fellows

• What: a year-long paid customized course for PB, MG, and YA writers. Includes one-on-one mentorship and two in-person conferences
• Link to learn more: https://www.stonybrook.edu/southampton/mfa/childrens_lit/ 

#QueerKidLit Mentorship Program

• What: a three-month mentorship for PB, MG, YA pre-published writers and/or illustrators
• Who is eligible: traditionally unpublished LGBTQ+ writers & illustrators
• Link to learn more: https://queerkidlit.weebly.com/mentorships.html 

Mentorship for Desi Writers

• What: a 6-month mentorship pairing a published Desi author with a Desi writer for one full manuscript critique; one PB, MG, and YA writer will be chosen
• Who is eligible: self-identify as Desi i.e. South Asian/South Asian-diaspora (South Asia as defined as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Sir Lanka); must have a complete, revised and polished manuscript ready for submittal; unagented; must not have any books published, either traditionally or through self-publishing
• Link to learn more: https://desikidlitcommunity.weebly.com/mentorship.html 

Write-Mentor Spark Mentorship

• What: apply for a paid mentorship for your PB, CB, MG, or YA manuscript
• Link to learn more: https://write-mentor.com/mentoring-programme/writementor-spark-mentoring/ 

Latinx in Publishing Writers Mentorship Program

• What: a 10 month mentorship program for writers who identify as Latinx in PB, MG, YA, graphic novel, poetry, nonfiction and more.
• Who: unagented and/or unpublished writers of books who identify as Latinx
• Link to learn more: https://latinxinpublishing.com/writers-mentorship-class-of-2023 

Be Your Own Mentor (a website providing resources on revising, industry, craft)

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and found it informative. If you have any questions please feel free to contact KidLit in Color at https://www.kidlitincolor.com/contact.html 

Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a queer Afro-Latinx Dominican and Puerto Rican writer, wife, mother, and community organizer. During the day she is a Chief of Staff working with community members, non-profit organizations, and government officials to make the world a better place.

Then she puts her writer’s hat on to craft heartfelt stories about home, family, food, and the fun places she has been. Alyssa was born and raised in The Bronx, New York, and currently lives in Philadelphia, PA with her partner and daughter.

If you have specific questions for me, please contact me via my website at www.alyssaauthor.com