| 2022-2023 Mentorship Timeline |
| mid-Oct – Nov 9: Application submissions (by email only)
Nov 30: Notifications complete Dec 5: Send full manuscript to mentor Jan 1: Full Payment due Jan 15 – May 31: Mentorship period mid-to-late April, DATE TBD — Celebration for mentees and mentors! (depends on pandemic situation) |
Click through the menu at the top of the right sidebar menu for access to more information!
The Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI wants its membership to succeed and it was in that spirit that Michelle Begley spearheaded the effort to create and coordinate a local mentoring program. The program was named in Michelle’s honor after she passed away in 2015 and true to Michelle’s vision, it continues to inspire and elevate participating writers and illustrators.
The Mentor Program is designed for writers or illustrators who have put in time in their craft and feel that working one-on-one with a mentor could help take their work to the next level.
Our participating mentors are as generous as they are talented. They want to help you find success in the exciting and sometimes crazy world of writing and illustrating for children. They’ve been through the rigors of revision and rejection. They know the frustration of pouring your heart and soul into a project that doesn’t find a publishing home. And in spite of their busy schedules and deadlines, these mentors are offering their time and expertise to help you hone your craft.
The Mentor Program is not a promise you’ll be published. But at a minimum, if you work hard and give the mentorship your best effort, you will learn and your craft will improve.
Still not convinced the program is for you? Go to the upper right side bar and click on Writer Mentors or Illustrator Mentors.
Read their bios to learn about their publishing successes and mentoring processes. Visit their websites for insights into their work and personalities. We hope you’ll find one or two mentors who are a good fit for you.
Eligibility
RMC-SCBWI full members (includes self-published, POD, etc), associate members, and PAL members.
We will also accept applications from SCBWI members who have connections to our chapter.
What to Expect
When you apply to the Mentor Program you will select one or two mentors to whom your work will be submitted. If selected, your mentorship lasts six months (see Mentorship Timeline) beginning with your original submission directly to your mentor after acceptance. During the mentorship you will communicate with your mentor at least once per month via email, phone, Zoom, or in-person as decided by you and your mentor. You will also set goals for the mentorship. The work you do will be informed by mentor feedback and expect to work hard on your portfolio or manuscript(s). Be open to constructive criticism and prepared for intensive critique. Each mentorship is unique — we look forward to seeing what you will accomplish!
Please review our Expectations for Mentees for additional information on the mentor program.
NOTE: This is a blind application process and mentors will not know whose work they’re reading. Your name will appear ONLY on your application form, and you will be assigned a number for your work sample, synopsis, and artist statement. Mentors select mentees based on the application, artist statement, and manuscripts or illustrations they have received.
Cost
The cost of the program is $540.
Mentees who are accepted to the program will be emailed a PayPal invoice in the first week of January 1, 2023, to be paid in full before the start of the program. (You can pay via PayPal, debit, or credit card)
Those looking for financial assistance should visit the Mentor Program Scholarship page for information about an available scholarship and available grants for this year.
Ready to apply?
The online application and checklists for what to send via email are available by clicking here.
Questions?
Email our Mentor Program Coordinators, Coral Jenrette and Laura Perdew, at mentorprogram.rmc.scbwi@gmail.com.