Mentorship Program
The Women’s Fiction Writers Association Mentorship program pairs writers who are working toward publication with published (large press, small press, and independent) authors, agented authors, developmental editors, and book coaches.
The WFWA Mentorship Program is offered twice a year, spring and fall. Each session lasts three months. Session dates are listed below.
In order to get the most out of the experience, mentees ideally have participated in workshops and groups before seeking a mentor. Mentees may only be matched once during their time in WFWA and should have been in WFWA for one year prior to applying.
RECOMMENDED WORKSHOPS AND GROUPS
SPRING 2025
Session runs March, April, May.
Mentor applications open January.
Mentee applications open in February and close when session capacity is reached.
Matches will be made the last week of February.
FALL 2025
Session runs September, October, November
Mentor Application CLOSED
Mentee Application CLOSED
Mentor applications open July.
Mentee applications open August and close when session capacity is reached.
Matches will made the last week of August.
Mentor Application open in July 2025
Mentee Application open in August 2025
Session Options
Manuscript Polishing and Guidance - Mentee to submit synopsis (two-page maximum) and first three chapters (not more than 7,500 words). Manuscript should be in the latter stages of revision. Mentor/Mentee will discuss strengths and weaknesses, feedback received from critique partners, and areas of concern that need to be addressed. Giving guidance for manuscript improvements is the focus.
Query Package - Mentee to submit query letter (one-page maximum), synopsis (two-page maximum), and first three chapters (not more than 7500 words). Manuscript should be polished and ready for submission.
Polishing the submission package should be the focus. Open to those who have not queried Agents.
Rejection Assessment - Mentee to submit query letter (one-page maximum), synopsis (two-page maximum), first three chapters (not more than 7,500 words) and any feedback received from agents. Manuscript should be polished and ready for submission. Reviewing areas for improvement in the submission package is the focus. Applicants should have submitted to at least 25 agents.
Independent Publishing Pre-publication Guidance - Mentee to submit first three chapters (7,500-word maximum), cover development/assessment, book description or blurb development/assessment. Manuscript should be polished. Preparing a timeline and steps for independent publishing is the focus.
Book Promotion - Includes review of previously used ads and promotional tools or review of ads and promotional tools to be used. Manuscript should be published or publication-ready. Focus is assessing and revising promotional tools.
Platform Building - Includes review of website, sample newsletters, and online presence. Mentees can be at any stage of publishing. Developing or refining online author presence is the focus.
Support for the Writer’s Life - Includes general support for aspects of the writing life such as story idea generation, accountability, emotional support for rejection. Does not include feedback on written materials.
FAQs
How are matches made?
Mentorship goals and genre are taken into consideration as well as membership length. The longer you’ve been in WFWA, the more likely you are to be matched. Mentees who have previously applied and were not matched are prioritized.
How likely is it that I’ll be matched?
In FALL 2025, 100% of mentees were matched. In order to insure that as many members as possible receive the benefit of mentorship, mentees may only participate in the program once.
Can my mentor look at my whole manuscript?
Reviewing an entire manuscript is NOT offered as part of the mentorship program. WFWA mentors volunteer their time to support writers in our community. Mentors can suggest ways to obtain a full manuscript review.
Questions? email [email protected]
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