Creative Writing Mentoring Programme

“Start writing, no matter what. The water doesn’t flow until the faucet is turned on.” - Luis L’Amour

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We offer 1-1 creative writing mentoring programmes that run for 6 months where we link up budding writers whose voices are currently under-represented in publishing with experienced professionals.

Each programme is tailored to the writer’s needs and it aims to:-

  • Enhance writing skills.
  • Further personal development through improving confidence and awareness as a writer.
  • Develop transferable professional skills.
  • Gain transferable skills, such as organisation, commitment, self- motivation
  • Gain knowledge about the publishing industry.
  • Access a route to publishing.

No formal previous experience in creative writing is required, although if one has a particular piece they would like to work on, please ensure to state this in the application. Throughout the programme, we will keep you updated and help you submit work to writing competitions and at the end of it, we will aim to showcase your work online. In some cases there will be the opportunity to get published.

Outline

  1. Apply for the programme
  2. Assessment of suitability and payment where applicable
  3. Get matched up with a mentor
  4. Sign the mentoring agreement
  5. Start the mentoring programme
  6. Complete timesheets after each mentoring session
  7. Progress your work
  8. Showcase your work, with potential direct route to publication

Costs

The programme is open to anyone who is previously unpublished who is committed to developing their writing to publishing standards. We operate three cost tiers to support those in different circumstances:

Pay It Forward Price - £1850. Covers the full costs of delivering the programme across six months, whilst allowing us to use a portion towards sponsoring those from disadvantaged and under-represented backgrounds.

Sustainable Price - £1500. This covers the full costs of the programme and our operational costs for delivering it.

Subsidised Price - £900. This tier includes a bursary towards the costs of the programme for those in financial need.

Sponsorship

As part of our charitable mission, we have devoted fully funded spaces on this programme for people across the UK whose voices are currently under-represented in publishing. This includes:

  • People from BAME backgrounds (Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic)
  • People from LGBTQ+ backgrounds (Lesbian, Gay, Trans, Queer +)
  • People living with a physical disability, have a mental illness or are neurodivergent
  • People who have spent time in prison or are on probation
  • People in financial need from a low-income household

Applicants must be over the age of 16, should be able to communicate in English and be unpublished at the time of applying to the programme.

How do I join the programme?

Get in contact with  to register your interest and receive an application form.

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Did you know we have a special mentoring programme for people with experience of being in custody and on probation? Check out our Writing Within Walls programme for further information.

We also run the Bridging Literary Divides mentoring programme for under-represented writers in Scotland.