Bloomsbury, one of the world’s leading publishers, has launched an inaugural Fiction Mentorship Programme for underrepresented writers. The programme is open to short stories, excerpts from novels, and works in progress in any fiction genre. It is free and there are no age restrictions.
The mentorship will run for six months, from September 2023 to February 2024. It will be led by a team of experienced editors and literary agents from Bloomsbury and its associated agencies. The mentors will provide guidance on the craft of writing, as well as help with the publishing process.
To apply for the mentorship, applicants must submit a 2,000-word writing sample and a personal statement explaining why they would benefit from the mentorship. The deadline for applications is August 31, 2023.
Other Opportunities for Underrepresented Writers
Bloomsbury is not the only organisation offering mentorship programmes for underrepresented writers. Other opportunities include:
- Curtis Brown Creative: This agency offers a 5-day novel writing intensive course for Black writers, as well as a nine-month fully funded mentoring programme for Black and Low-Income Writers.
- Writers & Artists: This organization offers a training programme for writers from BAME backgrounds who are underrepresented in publishing, as well as other resources and opportunities for underrepresented writers.
- Felicity Bryan Associates: This literary agency has launched a writer development programme called FBA New Voices, which is looking for the best emerging underrepresented voices in fiction.
- WriteMentor: This organisation offers a mentoring programme that matches published authors with children’s fiction writers to support their craft development and writing careers.
