2022 Mentors

Fantasy, Contemporary, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I’d love to see lyrical, magical, emotional, diverse stories involving social-emotional learning and/or social justice and awareness. Also stories about nature/environment (sweeping vistas, exotic locations, natural wonders, climate change, biodiversity).
I’m not the best fit for STEM, non-fiction, rhyme or stories involving farmyard animals.

@emmspearl

My debut picture book MENDING THE MOON is out in November 2022 (Page Street Kids), with the sequel SAVING THE SUN out in 2023. I was a WriteMentor mentor for picture books 2021 and a mentee (middle grade) 2020. I write fiction from PB to YA.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I’d really love to see some PBs that really make me laugh as well as some texts that make me feel warm inside. Oh and I love a good twist!

@HollyFRyan

Hi there! I’m a newbie picture book writer and have a book out called Never Mess With A Pirate Princess. I’ve recently sold another text and FINALLY living the dream after many years of rejection. I work mostly in rhyme but not exclusively. 

Humour/Funny, Contemporary, Mystery, Historical Fiction

I love stories about friendships, multigenerational and “non traditional” families, food, stories that highlight BIPOC voices/experiences, and simple stories that make me laugh. I’m pretty flexible on topics/themes, but I’m not a great fit for nonfiction. Also, nothing too didactic or stories that seek to teach lessons or morals, please!

@byjanaeaeads

Janaea Eads, an Indian-American adoptee, seeks to craft stories that celebrate and explore the adoption and Indian-American experience. She is represented by Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency and writes picture books, contemporary middle grade mysteries, and contemporary young adult fiction. She is a former bookseller with experience in youth development, is active in several writing communities that support marginalized creators, and lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband and their pit-mix rescue.

Fantasy, Contemporary, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

Contemporary, cultural, funny, magical, and all the cute monsters!

@RachellAbalos

Rachell Abalos is a Filipino-American kidlit writer represented by Hannah Vanvels of the Belcastro Agency. She specializes in contemporary and magical stories about her culture. Born in the United States, she spent her childhood in the Philippines, learning how to speak three different Filipino languages. She has a BA in Literature and Writing. You can learn more about her at rachellabalos.com.

As a former WriteMentor PB mentee, it is her honor to pay it forward and mentor a PB writer. She is seeking stories that will melt her heart. She enjoys reading about new cultures, folklore, STEM, and cute monsters.

Her debut picture book, OUR NIPA HUT, comes out in spring 2022 with Barefoot Books.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I love stories with humor, strong emotions, and lyrical writing, plus stories about nature, fitting in (or not), mental health, or anything out of the ordinary.

Things that interest me:
Animals
Kickass girls
Nontraditional families
Nature
Climate change 
Ocean life
Weirdos and grumps
Stories from LGBTQA+ and POC writers on any themes you want
Humor
Animated vegetables and plants
Kids in STEM
Art and making things

No rhyme, please.

More on what Skylaar is looking for can be found here.

@skylaara

Skylaar is the author-illustrator of Lloyd Finds His Whalesong (Page Street Kids) and Smile, Sophia (Feiwel & Friends). She is also an affiliated artist with the Climate Science Alliance. She writes and draws stories about the ocean, science, and kids with big feelings. Skylaar lives in Oregon, where she enjoys exploring the shoreline, playing video games, making things, and occasionally playing the ukulele. She is represented by Jessica Watterson, Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. You can find out more about her on Twitter and Instagram at @skylaara and on skylaaramann.com.

Contemporary, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I would love to read any fictional picture books in either prose or rhyme. 

@WritesSue

Sue Lancaster is a children’s writer living in South West London with her husband, two children and pet budgie, Buddy.  In 2020 Sue graduated from the Golden Egg Academy’s year-long Picture Book Programme. She has also completed Writing Magazine’s Writing for Children course tutored by Amy Sparkes and Curtis Brown Creative’s Writing a Children’s Picture Book course. In the summer of 2020, Sue won first place in the Winchester Writers’ Weekend Picture Book Competition. She has also been longlisted for two years running in WMCNA and has been a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill’s Halloweensie and Holiday Contests, as well as Vivian Kirkfield’s 50 Precious Words. In Spring 2021 Sue was offered representation by Caroline Wakeman of CWLA. She has since been dipping her toes into the world of writing chapter books.Before having kids and turning her hand to writing, Sue worked in TV as a Production Manager and got her degree in Media Studies at the University of East London. She grew up in Clacton on the coast of Essex and spent much of her childhood in or beside the sea, playing with her three cats, or being tormented by her two older brothers.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

It’s so wonderful to be a mentor again – and this year I’d love to laugh or scream in terror. I’m open to anything hooky, but particularly horror or comedy. Or horror comedy… think Dracula for kids. Or The Shining. Maybe not that, actually, lockdown horror is a bit too horrific.

@Viking_Ma

Carolyn Ward studied for an English degree before working in retail management in the Midlands and Manchester. Now settled near Wolverhampton, she is represented by Thérèse Coen at Hardman and Swainson for her MG writing. She became a pioneer member of Write Mentor in its first year, and has mentored and edited hundreds of writers from all over the world with stories from PB to YA.
This year she is seeking MG, LMG and CB, and will consider anything hooky; but particularly horror or comedy. 
For updates on writing and editing, follow @Viking_Ma 

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

Some of my favourite books are: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (anything he’s written really!); The Truth Pixie by Matt Haig (again, all of Matt’s books); the Amelia Fang series by Laura Ellen Anderson; Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison; Instructions for a Second-Hand Heart by Tamsyn Murray; Orangeboy by Patrice Lawrence; Ready, Player, One by Ernest Cline; Dear Charlie by N.D. Gomes; Noah Can’t Even by Simon James Green; To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han; The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy; Oliver Moon and the Potion Commotion by Lucy Diamond; The Other Alice by Michelle Harrison; The Goldfish Boy by Lisa Thompson; The Colour of Bee Larkham’s Murder by Sarah J. Harris; Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell; Skullduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy; All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven; The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky; Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs; The Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones; The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness, to name but a few. So basically I’m open to most genres and have a wide range of tastes ????

Read more here.

@FinlaysonPalmer

I am represented by Veronique Baxter at David Higham Associates. My writing is featured in many different magazines, anthologies and online, and my chapter book for 5-8 year olds, Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic, from UCLan publishing summer 2022.

Fantasy, Contemporary, Historical, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Crime, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I like stories set on the real world and also in made up worlds. I like videogames and feelings and witches and humour. More than anything I want a character to root for and a strong voice.

@hellionharvey

My debut contemporary MG, Emmy Levels Up, is the story of a girl who beats her bullies with the power of video games. It was in Booktrust’s 100 best books of 2021 and had been longlisted for the Branford Boase. I have also written books for educational publishers Twinkl and Ransom. I have been mentoring since 2019. 

Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime

I’d love to see quietly funny – not so much slapstick, but that warm, cosy, humour that makes you feel content. And at the other end of the spectrum, send me MG horror with all the tropes – I want to see scarecrows and creepy houses, lighthouses and chases through the woods (all young reader appropriate please!) I’m also a sucker for well-conceived Sci-Fi. Think The Expanse, for kids (yes, I’m obsessed), so preferably with some kind of mystery attached. I want to feel unstoppably drawn towards the climax, the answer, the payback. And, of course, I’m looking for Voice and USP, but also someone at the start of their journey, with obvious potential for growth. 

@emmydee73

Emma Read is the author of the Milton series (Chicken House): MILTON THE MIGHTY, one of The Times Best Children’s Books of 2019, and MILTON THE MEGASTAR, out now. She is a WriteMentor Spark mentor, WMLit workshop leader, and reader for both WMCNA and Bath Children’s Novel Award. Her passion is for writing and reading middle grade fiction and particularly books for younger readers which encourage a lifelong love of reading. Emma is also a freelance editor, as EmDashED, working with indie, traditional, and self-published authors.

contemporary, historical, romance, thriller, mystery, dystopian, paranormal, crime, magical realism, time travel, action/ adventure

Books I have recently loved include the ‘Adventures on Trains’ series, ‘The Chime Seekers’ by Ross Mckenzie, all Lucy Strange’s masterpieces, Joseph Elliot’s ‘Hawk’ trilogy, all A M Howell, ‘Julia and the Shark’ by Kiran Milwood Hargraves, ‘Lonny Quicke’ by Kirsty Applebaum, all Katherine Rundell, Nevermoor and Struan Murray’s trilogy…so a right mix! Really it comes down to a character I can root for and where possible an evocative place. I am open to almost all genres but ‘funny’ isn’t really my thing. Please no horror or sci-fi too.

@Emilie_London

Emily’s debut novel ‘The Extraordinary Adventures of Alice Tonks’ published in May 2022 and was described by The Bookseller as the first in “a great new series.” She is now hard at work on the sequel and hoping it lives up to expectation! Emily has a BA (Hons) in English Lit and Creative Writing and an MA in Children’s Literature. 

Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Crime, Action/Adventure

I’d love to see stories set in the real world, with a distinctive voice and plenty of twists and turns. Humour is optional but I definitely want to see plots driven by mystery and action. As a historian in my previous life, I’m also interested in historical fiction (and expect me to be nit-picky with historical detail!)

@Bethanywwriter

My children’s writing journey started by undertaking the City Lit Writing for Children course with the wonderful Lou Kuenzler. I love the younger age of children’s writing, from picture books to middle grade. My first book, Chocolate Milk, X-Ray Specs and Me! – a middle grade book – was published with Scholastic in 2021. In 2022, I have a second middle grade book with Scholastic coming out and, with Walker Books, my first picture book.

Fantasy, Historical, Humour/Funny, Action/Adventure

I love a vivid fantasy world, ideally with real world problems. Humour always keeps me turning the pages, and I want characters who both delight and infuriate me! I like to take ideas and sent them off at weird tangents so stories which make me think are always winners. My novels are historically based and I am well aware of the challenges in trying to give readers enough information to create a compelling sense of time and place, without drowning them in facts and figures.

@weldoncat

Cat Weldon is a children’s author who writes funny, Middle Grade fantasy stories with a particular interest in off beat fairy tales and world mythology. Her hilarious Viking Series, How To Be A Hero is published by Macmillan Children’s Books. With a master’s degree in Scriptwriting and a background in Children’s Theatre, Cat now splits her time between teaching, writing and trying to round up her collection of delinquent chickens.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I love fast-paced adventures with quirky humour. Fantasy and science fiction alway grab my interest, and anything dealing with myth, legend and folklore.

@clairefayers

Claire Fayers writes funny fantasy mash-ups for 9-12 year olds. Her first book, the Accidental Pirates, was Waterstones Book of the Month. Since then she’s won the Tir na nOg prize, and her latest book, a collection of Welsh myths and legends, has been nominated for the Carnegie award. She teaches creative writing and works as a freelance editor. She’s currently working on her 6th book, a mash-up sci fi and Greek myth.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel

I’m looking for MG that is magical, supernatural, mysterious or downright creepy. I’m open to a wide range of genres and especially to stories that blur the boundaries between categories or put a fresh spin on old tropes. Some of my recent favourites are Ghost Squad by Claribel Ortega, Show Us Who You Are by Elle McNicol, Fledgling by Lucy Hope, Aarti and the Blue Gods by Jasbinder Bilan, The Monsters of Rookhaven by Padraig Kenny, Ghost Cloud by Michael Mann, and the ‘Strangeworlds’ series by L.D. Lapinski.

I’m co-mentoring as part of two different partnerships this year, once with Lynn Grace Wong and once with Emily Randall, so please take a look at their wishlists too if you think I might be a good fit for your story.

@clareharlow

I write magical MG and twisty YA and am represented by Amber Caravéo at Skylark Literary. My stories have been long-listed for the Bath Children’s Novel Award and the Mslexia Children’s Novel Competition, as well as winning the Skylark ‘Fabulous Fiction’ competition and being selected for the SCBWI ‘Undiscovered Voices’ anthology. In 2020 I was a Write Mentor mentee and so was delighted to return as a mentor last year. Outside of writing, once upon a time I was an actor. Nowadays I work as an English tutor and am the loyal servant of the grumpiest cat in south-east London.

Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel

I’m interested in the gothic, the creepy, the warm, the magical and the mysterious. I love lyrical MG that doesn’t talk down to its audience, preferably with a twisty turny mystery at its heart. If you’ve anything like the following (my fave MG books) then please send! The Ghost of Gosswater by Lucy Strange, Aarti and the Blue Gods by Jasbinder Bilan, The Storm Keeper’s Island by Catherine Doyle, A Secret of Birds and Bone by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes. 

@emrandallwrites

Emily writes haunting middle-grade mysteries and is represented by Lucy Irvine of PFD. She is the winner of both the Mslexia Children’s Novel Award and the Times Chicken House Award, and is due to be published by Chicken House in spring 2023.

She was previously an actor, a Georgian princess at Hampton Court, and a Visitor Experience Manager for the National Trust. She now works for the amazing Write Mentor as Events Co-ordinator.

Fantasy, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

Latinx stories, please! Fantasy with a dark twist, fun adventure stories that leave you breathless, and stories portraying friendships I would want in my own life. 

@GinaGWrites

Gina Gonzales (she/her) is a Latinx kidlit writer who enjoys writing fun, quirky stories with a creepy twist. She grew up in Pueblo, Colorado nicknamed the “Home of Heroes” — the perfect place to develop a love of green chile, superheroes, and reading. She has worked as an entertainment Creative at Warner Bros. for over 10 years where she has lived out some of her nerdiest fantasies working with properties such as Lord of the Rings and DC Comics. When not writing, she enjoys running, making salsa, and way too much anime. She was a 2020 mentee for the WriteMentor program and is represented by Alice Sutherland-Hawes from Ash Literary.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

Since I specialize in MG horror, I want all the creepies and the crawlies. Bring me the CORALINEs—the SPLENDORS AND GLOOMS, GRAVEYARD BOOKs, and BLOOMs. I especially enjoy eldritch mysteries like THE MISSING PIECE OF CHARLIE O’REILLY, and bold, quirky characters like THE INK DRINKER. 

Even though I’m a house witch, I am completely open to all genres. I’m ravenous for a middle grade, but if you can wow me with your YA, go ahead and ping me. (My appetite is eclectic and insatiable.) SciFi, romance, contemporary, and even space opera—if your book stuns me, I want it, so don’t be afraid to send your alternate genres just because I’m a part-time ghost.

I eagerly accept any and all #ownvoices, so send me the book of your heart! I love historical, atmospheric settings and novels in verse.

If you have a creepy monster or a chilling cultural tale I’ve never seen before, I might just float straight through the ceiling. (Out of sheer happiness.)

Over the years, I’ve found that the best stories are the ones that make readers feel seen. Strong voice, tight storylines, and creative takes enchant me. Send me something GRIPPING. I’m talking SPUD, LONG WAY DOWN, ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO’S LIBRARY, THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, or THE TULIP TOUCH. Please, no empty characters or chosen ones being sent to magic schools. If I see another sexy vampire or tepid pseudo-heroine, I’ll shove pencils in my ears.  

I would die a second time to get my hands on a Grimm/Americana classic like Over the Garden Wall. Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, Castlevania, and Buffy are a few of my other favorite vibes. I’m also prone to squeeing for madcap adventurers like Dr. McNinja or the Lumberjanes. I’m currently in my “western phase,” so if you’ve got one of those, send it on over. 

@HannahKates1

Ever since being shanghaied into the secret society printing contraband pulp magazines from nineteenth-century catacombs, Hannah Kates has sworn to use her editing powers for chaotic good. As a ghostwriter, editor, story-seller, and traveling troubadour, she’s penned work everywhere from the strategic offices of the Pentagon to the haunted streets of Savannah—which are crooked due to all the rotting dead people.

With ten years of professional editing under her belt in both the traditional and indie spheres, Hannah provides bespoke, mentor-based editing services to writers in all walks of life—many of whom are now agented, published, and/or winning kick-butt awards. She encourages her authors to prends garde of their mental health and focus on processes rather than products.

Hannah loves editing because she knows a dirty little secret: Publishing is merely a matter of time. The real key is to keep falling in love with storycraft. Her original fiction is represented by Lynnette Novak of the Seymour Agency.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Horror, Action/Adventure

I’m always open to being caught by surprise, especially by something that is a little bit different, so don’t worry about genre too much. I’m looking primarily for an engaging main character that I want to spend time with – someone who has a big challenge ahead of them, problems to solve, friends to make and maybe villains to defeat too. There are a million and one permutations of that, though.

@EyersJonathan

I am the author of 5 books of fiction and non-fiction for children and adults. I have worked in publishing for 15 years and am now a commissioning editor at Bloomsbury (though please note I am participating in WriteMentor in a personal capacity). I have also been working directly with writers via the Cornerstones Literary Consultancy since 2015.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I’m happy to consider anything (though perhaps I wouldn’t be of much help with high fantasy). I particularly love contemporary stories, especially if they have a strong cultural vibe; humour; mystery; action/adventure. 

@LaCaWickham

My journey as a children’s writer began with a book I desperately needed but didn’t exist – so I wrote it myself.

Since then, I’ve been involved in a wide range of projects, both as an author and as freelance writer. 

I have recently signed with Rachel Hamilton at the Ben Illis Agency with my humorous MG novel set in Italy. The novel was long listed for the 2021 WM Novel Award and received an honourable mention at a SCBWI Slush Pile Challenge that year.

In 2019, I studied with Catherine Johnson on the Curtis Brown Creative ‘Writing YA & Children Fiction’ course, and, in 2021, I was selected for the 12-month industry-led ‘Writing for Children and Young Adult’ course at the Golden Egg Academy.
Each course has taught me so much, both in terms of skills as well as understanding of this fast-changing industry and I’d be thrilled to share what I’ve learned with a fellow writer. 

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

Any form of fantasy, especially if it has dark or creepy elements, like Lockwood & Co. I’m LGBT+ (biromantic, asexual, non-binary) and would love to see more queer rep in children’s fiction–especially if being queer is NOT a central issue or plot point (though insecurities is certainly understandable). Anything like Cattywampus would bring me joy! Give me the weird, the whimsical, the wild settings and gorgeous magic. Anything Ghibli-esque or cinematic would be right up my alley: if I can vividly picture it, it’s a world I’d love to dive into. Fierce female scientists; gentle boys who love to sew. Non-binary kids who are confident and comfortable in their skin. Ghosts and ghouls, magic schools; space rockets and cursed lockets. If it’s fantastical and/or totally gay, send it my way!

@laureneepersons

Lauren (they/she) is a non-binary woman who builds spaceships for NASA by day and writes queer, magical kidlit by night. They are a coordinator for the free, online writing conference, WriteHive, have been a mentee in the 2020 WriteMentor program and AuthorMentorMatch Round 8, and are a returning mentor from WriteMentor 2021 with their co-mentor Gina Gonzales. Lauren is published in the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets with the paper “Galactic Cosmic Ray Shielding Using a Spherical Field-reversed Array of Superconducting Coils.” After getting diagnosed with cancer in their 20’s, Lauren started to write kidlit as an escape into the fantastical. When not cosplaying, reading, or making music, they can be found in any number of local tea shops.

Fantasy, Contemporary, Mystery, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

Diverse voices and characters. I’d love the story to be bold and brave and adventurous, but the thing that makes my heart soar is a brilliant cast of characters. That no matter how fantastical they are, or their world is, that we absolutely and utterly believe in them and are willing them on, that they have truth. 

Stories are as old as time, tell me yours with passion, in a way that’s unique to your voice, your mind, your body, your world. 

Voice, that ephemeral thing that’s so hard to capture and explain what you’re looking for, but the thing that rises above plot and makes you stay up all night turning the page. 

A cracking character-led adventure story would be lush. Character to be at the absolute heart. To have a corker of an adventure, and a cracking plot, but all of this to be absolutely led and transformed by the characters within the story. To want to be friends (or enemies!) with these people, to believe they are real and their world continues when I close the manuscript.

Something where the writer’s complete and utter passion for the story they’re telling absolutely shines through.

I’d love to mentor disabled, chronically ill or neurodivergent writers, as I identify under those banners myself. People writing about characters and lives and situations that take up far less space than they should in publishing.

@lisette_auton

Lisette is an award-winning poet; the 2019 Early Careers Fellow for Literature at Cove Park; on the TSS Publishing list of Best British & Irish Flash Fiction; and winner of the Journal Culture Awards 2021 Performance of the Year for WRITING THE MISSING – A RIVER CYCLE commissioned by Durham Book Festival. Her debut middle grade novel THE SECRET OF HAVEN POINT was published by Puffin in February 2022.

Lisette’s work focuses on identity, curiosity and play, kindness and access. Disabled, neurodivergent and northern, some say she’s a word artist, she says she does stuff with words. She works as a solo artist, with collaborators, and alongside wonderful humans as a creative practitioner. Her work lives on the page and also often leaps off it as performance or installation. She’s an actor, writer, activist, poet, performer, film and theatre-maker. You’ll find Lisette’s work in galleries, online, in theatres and bookshops, as well as random places such as laundrettes and railway station waiting rooms.

https://lisetteauton.co.uk/

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I am a fan of accessible fantasy and sci-fi. By that, I mean those new-to-the-genre can easily pick up and read. I prefer books with a touch of humor. Super sad is not usually for me. I enjoy action and adventure, either in fantasy or the great outdoors.
Bring on the books that empower the curious young reader to want to be or do more.
Escapism. Yes, please.
A quirky character with a witty sense of humor? That is also for me.

@dreaminofanovel

Lorraine Hawley writes stories about tweens, teens, and fantastical worlds. While she has attempted to write non-magical stories, her characters refuse to stay reality grounded. Her debut, Curious World of Dandy-lion released on Nov 2, 2021. She is proud to be a 2019 WriteMentor mentee. 

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

If your idea is truly original, or it makes me laugh, or is simply intriguing enough to make me want to read on, I’m hooked!

@LuWrites

I’m a published writer, have an MA in Writing for Young People, and a long history working in the publishing industry. I also teach creative writing to both children and adults – and I love helping others to develop their writing on the long and often difficult road to publication.

Contemporary, Historical, Mystery, Action/Adventure

Anything real world, historical or contemporary. I’d love to see stories set in different countries or across cultures. Send me adventure, mystery or character driven stories with an MC I can really root for. Descriptive writing, metaphors, unique insights about the world and how we live in it, send them my way!

@lucilleemmeline

Roots and wings are what move me. What is ‘home’? Where do I belong? What does it mean to live a life on the move? These are the questions at the heart of my writing. 

I began my writing journey as a travel writer and blogger, and my creative non-fiction has been published in numerous anthologies on global mobility and raising multicultural kids on the move. I completed the Curtis Brown Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults course under the tutelage of Catherine Johnson. Shortly after, I signed with Thérèse Coen at Hardman & Swainson with my MG historical novel set in the Dutch East Indies during WW2. 

I was raised in Norfolk and South Africa, and have called Vietnam, Thailand, Turkey and The Netherlands home. I now find myself back in the English countryside not twenty miles from where it all began, and am a firm believer that life really does come full circle. 

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

My only real criteria is a willingness to take feedback and do the work! I love to edit collaboratively, so there will be a lot of back and forth as you make changes.

Genre-wise, my strongest suit is probably what I write —so contemporary, adventure or light magical realism — but I read and edit across all MG. Whatever the genre, I love stories that are driven by realistic, complicated characters, that deal with emotions that 9-12 year olds will find familiar, and that make you think. 

Some of my favourite MG books are:
Skylark’s War and Swallow’s Flight by Hilary McKay, 
Huntress Sea by Sarah Driver, 
The Way Past Winter by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Wolf Wilder by Katherine Rundell
and all the other ones I’ll remember in a minute!

@LucyAnnUnwin

I’m a freelance editor and children’s writer and my debut MG is due out in early 2023. It’s contemporary realism with a dash of the unusual and I can’t wait to announce it to the world! I love editing as much as writing, and I’m always amazed by others’ creativity and imagination. It’s such a privilege to get to read and help with the early stages of some amazing manuscripts and then be their top cheerleader as they go out into the world!

In terms of background, I spent many years as a music journalist at BBC 6 Music and I have a BA in English and Politics. I also volunteered for 3 years at writing charity 826 Valencia in San Francisco, where I tutored under-resourced middle school kids, helping them publish memoirs and personal essays.

I’ve lived all around the UK, as well as in California, and for a year in the beautiful Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. Now I’ve settled on the top of the Sussex cliffs, where I can gaze out to sea dreaming up stories or go hunting for fossils with my husband and two daughters.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel

I am drawn to strong narrative voices and stay for twisty plots. I like the unexpected and love a spooky vibe, so send me your mysteries, thrillers, and horrors especially if it’s got heart. I’d also love to fall for your diverse worlds, whether it be fantasy or contemporary to the likes of Adrianna Cuevas, B. B. Alston, Daka Hermon, Tracey Baptiste, Erin Entrada Kelly, to name a few. And if the setting is a character in itself, that would be amazing. Also, if your story fulfills my co-mentor Clare Harlow’s wishlist, I’m in! Thanks for trusting us with your story.

@lynngracewong

I write MG rooted in my Filipino heritage with a sprinkle of magic and I am represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary. I’m also a member of SCBWI and won the Austin SCBWI 2021 Creators of Diverse Worlds Scholarship. Last year, I was a WriteMentor mentee and my flash fiction, “To Fill or Not to Fill Your Coconut” was published in the WM Magazine issue on perseverance. When I’m not writing, I invest in our world’s future by helping run a girl’s leadership club or you can find me with my husband and five kids belting out goofy karaoke. 

Fantasy, Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I want to root for your mc, I want to scream at them not do it… and ache for them when they do. I enjoy being taken to unexpected places whether that be to whole new fantasy realms or parts of the world I’ve not been to. I love settings that have as much soul and character as your protagonist. I appreciate humour, especially when it’s used well in emotional scenes but I’m not necessarily looking for a laugh on every page. However, comic timing is part of my theatre craft and I can certainly help in that department, along with voice. I’m also passionate about dystopian fiction, especially for MG and even more so if it mixes different genres.

@TellTaleHeart 

Natasha is a northern writer agented by Megan Carroll at Watson, Little, Ltd. Her upper MG novel, The Angel of Grimsby, is currently out on submission to publishers and a 2nd LMG manuscript is in development. 

Her background is in children’s theatre: writing, directing and performing for the international touring company, Tell Tale Hearts. Her theatre work has given her a great understanding of character, dialogue, comedy and most importantly dramaturgical structure or narrative arc in book terms. 

Natasha still loves to play and make up stories, although nowadays she plays more with words than puppets. She was selected to take part in the Mumwrite pilot in 2020 and has had her experimental poetry and short fiction published by several online publishers and in the Mumwrite anthology. She is an associate artist at the award winning, Grimm & Co (the apothecary to the magical) and was previously mentored by Emma Finlayson-Palmer as part of the 2019 WriteMentor cohort. She also received an Arts Council England grant in 2018 to research a dystopian MG adventure, The Spies of Ornia, inspired by the fall of the Berlin wall and mentored by Liz Flanagan.

She is passionate about nurturing talent in others and absolutely loved her first experience as a WriteMentor in 2021.  
‘I couldn’t have hoped for a better mentor. You’ve been so insightful, focused, enthusiastic and kind! Just brilliant.’ – Catherine Prescott, Mentee 2021

Humour/Funny, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I’d love to read funny adventures with a lot of danger, terrible twists and happy endings. I’d love to see friendship, ingenuity, skill and narrators that don’t take themselves too seriously!

@philipkavvadias

I’ve written poetry, plays and short stories since I was a teenager. In the last few years I’ve focused on the 10-12 year old range, which offers incredible opportunities to stretch one’s imagination. Represented by Amber Caraveo of Skylark, my second book is currently out on submission.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I love haunting, creepy, Gothic stories, horror and ghost stories steeped in atmosphere: think Fledgling, The Haunting of Aveline Jones, Rebecca, The Dark is Rising. I’d also love to see some cli-fi and/or science & STEM stories with strong female leads, and historical fiction with characters of colour. I’m always partial to animal sidekicks! I’d also welcome stories by writers from marginalised groups, be it race/disability/LGBTQ+/working class/GRT. I’d especially love to see an authentic Roma, Showman or Traveller story: we definitely don’t have enough of these!

@PiuDasGupta1

I’m a British/Indian writer based in Paris, France, represented by Kate Shaw. I write poetry and prose and have two Gothic MG books coming out with a traditional publisher in 2023 and 2024. I am currently completing an MFA in Creative Writing for Children & Young People, including electives in teaching creative writing.This is my second year of summer mentoring with WriteMentor. Prior to that I was a WriteMentor Spark mentee, before landing my agent and publication deal. I also read regularly for WriteMentor and other writing competitions. If I mentor you, I will start off with a read-through of the complete manuscript and a detailed structural edit, followed by line edits, and a final copyedit plus advice on submission package. I maintain close contacts with my mentees after the summer, and am always on hand for further informal advice and guidance.

Thriller, Mystery, Horror, Paranormal

I would love to support diversity. I’d like to see horror, dark fantasy, paranormal mysteries, thrillers, Sci-Fi in the MG category. In these categories, I am open to very dark and scary ( or as dark & scary MG can go anyways), quirky or stories with a dash of humor.

@reenadeen8

Hi folks! I’m Reena, hailing from the too hot and humid shores of tropical Singapore.
I am a lover of all things spooky and literally worship horror. Put it this way, I would watch
any horror flick in any language (as long as there are Eng subs!) and yes that includes the bad ones too. When I was a teen, I read all the Stephen King plus any other horror books I could get my hands on. All the horror movie watching and book reading got me into writing
MG/YA horror & dark fantasy.

I was in the querying trenches for about 6 years before finally signing up with my
wonderful agent Tricia Lawrence. During my querying journey, I’ve been blessed to be
selected as a mentee for competitions like WriteMentor, Fall Fiction Fest, Pitch Madness and Pitch Wars. Because of my experiences, I totally understand a potential mentee’s struggles and hopes

Fun fact! I’ve been teaching for 20 years now (I know I don’t look my age, well at
least I hope not? haha) So I’m fairly good with guiding and mentoring. This is my second year as a mentor and once again I will be mentoring with my all round awesome
friend and fellow horror lover—Hannah Kates!

I am a big picture sort of a person. I rock at plot (plot holes, structure issues, pacing
etc wouldn’t stand a chance with me!), character arcs and voice! If you need help in these
areas, I can lend a hand! I would be the kind of mentor who’ll DM you to see how you are
feeling and worry about your stress level. I’m pretty organized and punctual with deadlines. I
am also comfortable with both zoom video discussions or just email ones.

Totally looking forward to working with one of you guys!

Contemporary, Historical, Mystery, Crime

I love mystery books of all types – anything with a really good puzzle to solve . I also love books with a historical setting. It’s the best way to travel through time and explore another world. Finally, send me your animal stories – I adore animals and love a story where the animal is the main character. 

@scraphamster

I am the author of the Max the Detective Cat series with Nosy Crow and the standalone timeslip adventure Arthur and Me with Firefly Press. I am represented by Skylark Literary. I love crime and mystery novels as well as historical adventures (I have a PhD in history and love books that transport me to the past) and animal stories. 

Sci-Fi, Historical, Thriller

I write sci fi thrillers, so MS in those genres are perfect, but I am also social media manager for a historical fiction book prize so enjoy reading that genre, too. Any MS where the writer wants to work on pace is a good fit for me, too.

sheilamaverbuch

Sheila M. Averbuch is a former journalist who’s interviewed billionaires, hackers and would-be Mars colonists. She writes fiction for middle grade and is bewitched by and suspicious of technology in equal measure. Originally from Massachusetts, Sheila
graduated magna cum laude from Harvard with a degree in American history and literature and earned a journalism MA at Stanford before moving to Ireland, where she covered the Northern Ireland troubles for USA Today and set up Ireland’s first technology news website. Her debut novel FRIEND ME is published by Scholastic Press New York.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Mystery, Horror, Action/Adventure

Things I have a soft spot for.

Well-written action sequences, both technically and conceptually.

Horror

Main Characters with interesting/uncommon powers

Fantasy/sci fi settings with new and nuanced things to say about our world

Main characters who are limited somehow and have to work around that

Mechs

@AlexFKoya

Children’s author Alex has been reading and writing since he was a teenager. His debut novel ‘Marv and the Mega Robot’ was inspired after Alex struggled to find superheroes in fiction who looked like him. He is also the co-writer of Marcus Rashford’s first fiction book ‘The Breakfast Club Adventures’. A previous winner of Spread the Word’s 2019 London’s Writers Awards for YA and Children’s, Alex lives in Walthamstow with his girlfriend and two cats.

Contemporary, Thriller, Humour/Funny, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

For YA: I would LOVE to see any sort of Paranormal stories – vampires, witches, werewolves, etc!

I love snarky MC’s whose voice just flows through the pages.

I love mind-exploding Thrillers! I want to be on the edge of the seat screaming I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS TWIST!

I really enjoy contemporary stories as well, anything coming-of-age that is totally relatable, makes me laugh, or even cry – total bonus points if you nail all three!

Magical Realism is my take on Fantasy – I’m not into the whole kingdoms, assassins, and rulers aspect but I love a touch of fantasy, something that is related to our world but has some fantastical elements – I just don’t want the entire story centered around this fantasy-land and aspects if that makes sense!

For MG:

Same rules apply, please send me any paranormal stories, I live to see them!

Any sort of action/adventure stories like a young Indiana Jones (but not the historical aspect), Goonies, or Home Alone (what I mean by this is, making a plan to stop the bad guys, etc).

Comedy – PLEASE, any sort of laugh-out-loud stories featuring realistic antics and moments tweens and teens go through on a regular basis. I love hijinx and comedy but I also love when it all correlates to a life lesson so if you can throw that in their too, that’s amazing!

Magical Realism – the same rules apply as above for YA

amandabadillo25

Hello future mentee! I am so excited to be a part of the WriteMentor Summer Programme for a second year! I had so much fun last year and cannot wait to pair up with another incredible writer and help to make your dreams come true!

To tell you a bit about myself, I am originally from the Bronx, NY but have resided in upper NY since I was a kid. I am Puerto Rican, Arabic, and Chinese and my pronouns are she/her.

Like you, I have been reading and writing since I was a kid. I fell in love with the world of paranormal when I was 5 years old thanks to my mom turning on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Since then, it’s all I obsess about!

I have my Bachelor’s Degree from Western Connecticut State University in Professional Writing and I also have a Distinction in Writing which was awarded to me by my university’s Writing Department. When I’m not writing, you can find me snuggling up against my two dogs, binge-watching Real Housewives of NY re-runs, or safely hanging out with either my mom, my fiancé, or my friends.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Dystopian, Paranormal, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

Broadly speaking, I love fantasy / supernatural adventures for older children – upper MG / Teen / YA. Within that, I’d love to see a fast-paced, cinematic story with a strong voice and a healthy dose of humour – and as a northerner myself, would always have a soft spot for a book set in the north of England (or a version of it)! My favourite authors are Jonathan Stroud, Frances Hardinge, Patrick Ness, V.E. Schwab – and some of my other favourite recent reads are The Monsters of Rookhaven (Pádraig Kenny), Rules for Vampires (Alex Foulkes), Bearmouth (Liz Hyder), the Nevermoor series (Jessica Townsend) and The Loop (Ben Oliver). If a story had any crossover with any of those, I’d love to see it! 

@becky_orwin

Becky Orwin has been writing escapist stories of magic, adventure and occasional jokes since she was a teenager. After thirteen years of querying, she signed with agent Camille Burns at David Higham Associates in 2021, having been a WriteMentor 2021 mentee, and taking part in the Writers’ Block North East programme. 

She holds an MA in Creative Writing from Newcastle University, has been shortlisted for the Northern Writers’ Awards three times, longlisted for the Mslexia Children’s Fiction Prize and the WriteMentor Children’s Novel Award, and has run Creative Writing workshops for young people through New Writing North. She lives in Newcastle upon Tyne with her partner. 

Contemporary, Humour/Funny, Historical Fiction, Action/Adventure

I’m mostly interested in contemporary YA and MG, especially funny stories. I’m not a great fit for fantasy.

Please see my website for a complete mentor wishlist: https://www.christinewebbauthor.com/write-mentor-2022

@cwebbwrites

I am a contemporary YA and MG writer. I’ve written about mental illness, space, and a lost dragon (though none of those were in the same book). When I’m not writing, I enjoy hanging out with my zoo: three goofy dogs, an evil cat, twenty nameless pigeons, and a friendly rat.

Thriller, Mystery, Horror. Paranormal, Crime, Humour/Funny

The creepy and the criminal.

@ellielockx

Writer of MG and YA, former Writementor mentor and mentee, gardening teacher. Three children and a French bulldog that looks like Yoda and farts like Darth Vader. 

Humour/Funny, Contemporary, Mystery, Historical Fiction

Anything in the vein of Frankly in Love, The Parker Inheritance, Ophie’s Ghosts, Truly Devious, The Inheritance Games, Never Have I Ever (Netflix), Tokyo Ever After. Really, I love it all. If it has mystery or puzzle components, hyphenated identity exploration, warm and fuzzy rom-coms, travel, food, mother/daughter drama, etc., I’m in!

@byjanaeaeads

Janaea Eads, an Indian-American adoptee, seeks to craft stories that celebrate and explore the adoption and Indian-American experience. She is represented by Paige Terlip at Andrea Brown Literary Agency and writes picture books, contemporary middle grade mysteries, and contemporary young adult fiction. She is a former bookseller with experience in youth development, is active in several writing communities that support marginalized creators, and lives in Cambridge, MA with her husband and their pit-mix rescue.

Contemporary, Historical, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel

Yes, yes, yes, plot is important but I’m all about the characters. I don’t mind if they’re ghosts, time travelling, funny or lost – I just want to feel like I could have sat down at a bus stop with them and started talking. I’m happy to work on novels in prose or verse, silly or serious. Just bring me some new fictional friends. Or enemies…

@J_H_Birch

Jess was a #WriteMentor Mentee 2020 when she was mentored by Louisa Reid on a YA Verse Novel Re-telling of Macbeth called “Lady Em”. She signed with agent Lauren Gardner in Oct 2020 and is currently working on a funny MG book in prose. Jess is a secondary English teacher from Lincolnshire and was a judge for the 2019 UKLA book awards. She lives with her husband and two small children. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @J_H_Birch.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Dystopian, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism

Hello from Team DDL!!! My co-mentor Jeff de Leon and I are thrilled to be mentoring this year. We’re both alums of the 2020 summer programme, so we look forward to giving back to our future mentee (rubs hands together). Below is a snapshot of what we’re looking for. Please check out Jeff’s entry to get a feel for his taste too. We look forward to seeing your submissions!Please send us:
– All the paranormal, but show us fresher takes on ghosts, witches, etc.
– A sweeping fairytale or mythology retelling, preferably through a non-Western lens.
– Fantasy or Science-Fantasy that take us to a kingdom in a galaxy far, far away.
– Light Sci-Fi with a character-driven space opera or a dystopian society.
– Settings and timelines that are underrepresented, or we haven’t seen before.
– Protagonists that undergo a complete transformation from start to end.
– Books that make us laugh, then cry, then laugh again.
– Inciting incidents that are out-of-this-world, stakes that are do-or-die, darkest hours that are bleak and hopeless, heroes overcoming all the odds, endings with satisfying twists.
– A romance subplot is a plus! (If you can turn any of the above into a rom-com my jaw will drop.)
– Diverse protagonists and casts.
– We strongly welcome authors from marginalized backgrounds.

We’re not interested in:
– Anything with unchecked racist, homophobic, transphobic, acephobic, ableist, Islamophobic, zionist, anti-Semitic, misogynistic, or fatphobic content.Please include *content warnings* especially if your story involves any sexual abuse on or off-the-page.

@daphnedador

Daphne Dador is a Filipino-American SFF author whose kidlit stories feature diaspora kids going on scary, fun adventures. Her stories can be found in upcoming anthologies ranging from gothic vibes to space heists. She was a mentee in the WriteMentor, Avengers of Colour, and Author Mentor Match programs. As a mentor, she’d love to see more diverse voices in genre fiction. Daphne is represented by Tara Gonzalez at Erin Murphy Literary Agency. You can find Daphne on Twitter and IG @DaphneDador.

Fantasy, Contemporary, Thriller, Mystery

YA contemporary, mysteries (especially long-buried secrets coming to light), thrillers (a group of people trapped somewhere and having to come together to escape is a particular fave trope), and YA contemporary fantasy (no high or epic fantasy, and I’m overdone on stories where Evil Corporations try to exploit people with powers or where people with secret powers are the only ones who can Save the World, ditto chosen ones). I particularly love stories that combine banter and humour with sock-you-between-the-eyes emotion, and stories that make me gasp and see the world in a whole new light. In all things, I’m very open to neuro-atypical authors, LGBQT+ authors, and other diverse identities.

Read more here.

@4greensquares

Deborah Bailey is a YA writer represented by Sera Rivers of Martin Literary Management.

She is graduate of the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop, Tin House YA workshop (2021 and 2022), and a 2020 WriteMentor mentee, whose mentored book has been longlisted for the Exeter Prize and Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize. A US expat in the UK, she is a former Chairperson of the Nottingham Writers’ Studio, where she championed writing as a means for social inclusion and emotional well-being. She loves stories that can make you laugh and cry and turn your understanding of the world on its head.

Historical, Contemporary, Mystery, Magical Realism

I’m looking for contemporary/historical YA or MG mystery/magic realism, but open minded. Above all I like character driven novels, where you can really invest in the MC’s predicament and laugh and cry along with them. A bit of humour doesn’t go amiss!Some of my favourite YA novels are A Swift Pure Cry by Siobahn Dowd, Revolver by Marcus Sedgwick, Orbiting Jupiter by Gary Schmidt, Chaos Walking by Patrick Ness, Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and Kes by Barry Hines. I have eclectic tastes! More recently I loved the MG novel Lampie by Annet Schaap (which was longlisted for the Carnegie).

@EdenEndfield

I have an MA (Distinction) in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and am represented by Veronique Baxter at David Highams Associates.
My first agented novel, a contemporary dark upper age YA love story, was inspired by my family connection to the East coast of America and longlisted for the Chicken House Children’s Novel Competition 2016. My next novel, a family drama also set in America, was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition 2018 and the Mslexia Children’s Novel Award in 2019. I am currently working on Adult Historical Fiction.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Dystopian, Magical Realism, Action/Adventure

I love main characters with lots of fight, angst, strong friendships, and pacy plots. My favourite genres are thriller, sci-fi, dystopian, superhero, speculative, and low fantasy, but anything with a hooky concept intrigues me. If it has high stakes, please send it my way! Romance isn’t particularly my thing, but if it’s a subplot, that’s fine.
As a writer from a working-class background, applications from those who may be concerned a low income might hold them back would be well received as I can offer some advice there. I also love to see working-class teens represented in fiction.

@GeorgiaGWriter

Georgia is a writer of young adult thrillers and speculative novels represented by Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary Agency. 
When not writing, Georgia works as a singing and music tutor in Suffolk, UK.
She was a mentee during the 2020 summer mentoring programme and is excited for the chance to return as a mentor this year. She is a fan of commercial genres, novels with a blockbuster feel, feminist themes, and dogs. Lots of dogs. 

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Humour/Funny, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

In young adult, I am all about books with romance, especially those which are more character-driven than anything else. From lol humor, to heartbreaking tragedies, I’m not picky… unless of course it doesn’t have kissing in it. 

With that being said, I am open to reading a lot of sub genres that have a central romance, including contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, thriller, mystery, magical realism, and more. (If you’re unsure, just ask!) 

Above all, I am looking to focus on stories this year written by under-represented writers (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disabled, neurodivergent, chronic illness…)

Read more here.

@hlvanfleet

Heather Van Fleet is a Midwestern-born author with a love of all things spontaneous road trips, TV shows that leave her questioning her morals, and book boyfriends. As a graduate of Black Hawk College, Heather took her degree in early childhood development, tossed it into the garbage, and is now living the dream writing books sprinkled with suspense and lots of kissing. 

She’s currently living out her own version of a happily ever after with her high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, their three hugely feminist daughters, and two fur babies with bad attitudes. When she’s not being a mom or writing books, you can find her drinking way too many energy drinks or crashing out on her sofa with a romance novel of some sort. Heather Is represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black of Andrea Brown Lit

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Dystopian, Horror, Paranormal, Magical Realism

I love helping to polish great writing into something even stronger. I am here to work with the novel you have poured your heart and soul into. I am looking for a novel that shows an underlying complexity and passion, more than I am seeking something that already fits into a perfect box for publishing. I would love to mentor you as an individual, in addition to focusing on the manuscript, and to help you plan future novels, and a career that includes self-care and work life balance.

I would love to read something like Brandon Sanderson’s adult fantasy targeted to teens. I want to see more novels that feature mental illness and disability in realistic or speculative settings. I am here for realistic depictions of trauma and its consequences, as well as healing and recovery. I love complexity, mystery, and wonder.

I generally enjoy a book more with even a hint of a romantic subplot. I love unlikely ships, love triangles– anything messy with love as long as it is handled with maturity and realism, not just done for the tropes or to artificially create conflict.

@JeffHdeLeon

Jeff de León is a Dominican-American husband, teacher, and author represented by Patrick Munnelly of the Bond Literary Agency. 

Jeff’s YA Science-Fantasy PRINCESS OF A FADING STAR was selected for the 2020 WriteMentor program by Sabrina Prestes and George Jreije. He holds a B.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Literacy from Touro University.

During his days, Jeff absolutely loves being a goofy middle school English teacher in a classroom where the novels are as diverse as his students. He lives with his best friend and wife, Julia, and a cat named Coco, which is short for Coconut. You can follow Coco on Jeff’s Instagram.

Fantasy, Historical

I love all things fantastical, dark, and twisty for YA fantasy and historical fantasy. I like my main characters morally gray, my stakes sky-high, and my tension so thick you can cut it with a knife. I am seeking stories in the fantasy genre that will make me laugh and cry and finally release that breath I didn’t know I was holding.

In YA fantasy, I’m drawn to unique magic systems, ensemble casts, and high-stakes plots. I’m particularly interested in stories told from an unusual perspective (i.e. Prince Charming’s younger sibling), and stories with diverse representation of all kinds, but especially queer and neurodiverse rep. I’m most interested in middle/high fantasy in a second-world setting, but the right urban/contemporary/low fantasy also grabs my attention. I love mythology and stories based on myth, especially when it’s non-western myth (see: most of my work is based on Eastern European Jewish mythology and folktales). I tend to gravitate towards upper YA, but am open to considering YA suited for younger readers. I would be interested in historical fantasy based in non-Western European settings and cultures. I am not a great match for straight-up historical fiction.

Books with snarky main characters who demonstrate grit and a will to survive against all odds are a particular favorite of mine (see: Lei in Girls of Paper and Fire, Maren in Shatter the Sky, Fie in Merciful Crow). Any manuscript with a main character that can make me both laugh and cry would be high on my list. I’m particularly drawn to manuscripts where I can help authors amp up character development along these lines, as well as manuscripts where I can help tighten up the plot and address pacing issues to make a story grab a reader and refuse to let them go. 

Some of my favorite YA fantasy authors include: Nina Varela, Leigh Bardugo, Tracey Deonn, Margaret Owen, Sabaa Tahir, Sarah J. Maas, Roseanne Brown, Rebecca Kim Wells, Audrey Coulthurt, Madeline Miller, and Natasha Ngan. Anything that comps to books by these authors is something I want in my inbox from potential mentees.

@LauraRSamotin

Laura R. Samotin is a PhD student in political science at Columbia University. She has published her research on international security with Georgetown University Press and Cambridge University Press, and in academic journals. She enjoys using her academic work on military tactics, power politics, and leadership to enliven and inform her creative writing. She has served as a 2021 #DVMentor mentor and a 2021 WriteMentor Summer Program mentor, and also runs the website query101.blog to help authors on their writing journey. She lives in New York City with her spouse, and when she’s not researching or writing, she relishes her role as a full-time cat servant.

Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Magical Realism

My co-mentor Noelle and I are open to a variety of YA genres, but in particular we would love to see:
• Mysteries and thrillers – give us your page turners and whodunits!
• Passionate, unapologetic, and unlikable protagonists who will fight for what they want
• Snark and wit
• Activism – we’re here for your good trouble making teen activists! 
• Contemporary and friendship books, especially with a dose of humor
• Dystopian or alternate histories (speculative elements that don’t dive too deep into Sci-fi)
• Romcoms 
• Diverse cast of characters
Unique premise a plus

LauraMWareck

Laura Wareck is a young adult author, writer and communications professional who loves heart-pounding and heartfelt stories about passionate teen protagonists who keep you glued to the page. As a child, Laura enjoyed channeling her inner Harriet the Spy, and you could often find her with a notebook, recording observations and creating stories on the fly. She completed her first story – “Teasing Chuck” – about her beloved mutt Charlie at the age of seven. 

A former competitive swimmer, Laura is a graduate of Kenyon College and earned an MFA in creative writing from Emerson College. She currently resides in Swampscott, Massachusetts with her cocker spaniel and two black cats. When she’s not writing you can find her swimming, paddle-boarding or strolling the beach.

Laura is represented by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black of Andrea Brown Literary Agency, and is on submission with her debut novel, Paper Girl.

@LauraMWareck

Website: http://www.LauraWareck.com

Contemporary, Thriller, Humour/Funny, Horror

Any teen books (aged 10+) with slice of life / humour / quirky / romance

@LadyGrimdark

I am a writer and photographer. I like to write slice of life fiction with a quirky edge (think Wes Anderson). Having a maths degree, I am also passionate about bringing a love of the subject to children through non fiction books and by celebrating it through intelligent fictional characters who also love it!
My debut book – Fig Swims the World – was published in April 2020 and I have written numerous books since, including Coming up for Air (Apr 22) and a non-fiction book about STEM maths (title tbc, Sept 22).

Contemporary, Dystopian, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel

I love contemporary stories with a speculative twist or a touch of magical realism. I’m up for heavy topics or heart-warming reads, spooky or strange. Above all I am drawn to unique characters, a strong voice and a passion that shines through.
Although I enjoy reading them, I’m sadly not best placed to help with high fantasy or sci-fi.

@loufinchwrites

Lou lives in South East England and works part-time in the charity sector. Her formal qualifications are in Art History and Human Rights and Development Management.
Lou was a WM mentee in 2020 and her debut YA novel, The Eternal Return of Clara Hart, is due to be published in August 2022 by Little Island. She is represented by Becky Bagnell of Lindsay Literary Agency.

Fantasy, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Paranormal, Magical Realism

Send Me:
-A bingeable read that’ll have me screaming into the void when I finish it
-Characters that make such messy decisions I’ll cringe while reading
-Manuscripts with BIPOC and LGTBQ+ representation at the forefront
-YA magical realism a la Aiden Thomas’s “Cemetery Boys” or Zoraida Cordova’s “Brooklyn Brujas”
-YA mysteries like Nancy Drew or Maureen Johnson’s “Truly Devious” series
-Literally anything that has to do with mythology from any culture (yes, I was the kid that wished Camp Half-Blood was real; yes, I would have been in Athena’s cabin)
-Meg Cabot is one of my all-time favorite YA authors and I’ll easily love anything in the same vein as “The Princess Diaries,” “Ready or Not,” and “All American Girl,” especially if it’s queer
-I’m open to novels similar to Ned Vizzini’s “It’s Kind of a Funny Story”, but please include a trigger warning if your novel deals with depression or suicide
-If your manuscript reads anything like “The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural,” or “Elite” send it my way
-I’m not ashamed to admit my love of a good old fashioned vampire novel with a to-die-for love triangle

Do Not Send Me:
-Rape
-Gun Violence
-School Shootings
-Abuse of any kind
-Cancer

@mtlajeunesse

Marilyn La Jeunesse is a Mexican-American YA and Adult author currently represented by Eddie Schneider of JABberwocky Literary Agency. A New York University graduate and journalist by trade, Marilyn has written for a number of award-winning publications including Teen Vogue, InStyle, People, Bustle, Allure, and BuzzFeed to name a few. Follow her journey on TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram, @mtlajeunesse.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Paranormal, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I’m looking for Speculative YA manuscripts. Think SFF, Dystopian, Post-Apocalyptic, Magical Realism, High-Concept action! Have a look at my novel, The Undying Tower, for an idea of how I write and whether I might be a good match for you. 

@melliver

Melissa Welliver writes Young Adult Speculative novels. She has a BA Honours degree in English Literature and History from the University of Leeds and an MA in Creative Writing from Manchester University. 
She runs her own programming and application business, Mabel Apps, and in the past has written for several gaming magazines as a reviewer. She is also a Jedi of the Writementor Order.
After graduating from university, Melissa went on to be published in two short story anthologies, one with a forward by Jeanette Winterson. Her debut YA novel, The Undying Tower, was published in 2021. The second in the trilogy will be published in 2022.
Melissa has completed the acclaimed Curtis Brown Creative Novel Writing Course for children under the tutelage of Catherine Johnson. She has been longlisted for the Bath Novel Award, the #BNAKids award, and Mslexia’s Children’s Novel Prize, and she was shortlisted for both the inaugural Hachette Children’s Novel Award in association with New Writing North, and the Wells Book for Children competition. 
She lives in the Northwest of England with her Bassetoodle, Zelda, and is represented by Lucy Irvine of Peters, Fraser & Dunlop. 

Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Thriller, Crime, Time-Travel

Some of my favourite books can be boiled down into “what if” scenarios. If you’ve written one of them, I would love to read it!

Send me your morally-grey characters, or characters who make questionable but justified decisions and who get lost down a rabbit hole of their own making. Send me your genre-bending beauty of a book. Send me that hooky, commercial thriller that keeps me turning pages.

@naomigwrites

Naomi Gibson is a thriller writer with a love for antiheroes and morally grey characters. Her debut novel, EVERY LINE OF YOU, was published by Chicken House in August 2021. It has so far sold to 12 countries and been optioned for a TV series. She is represented by the fabulous Joanna Moult at Skylark Literary.

Contemporary, Romance, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Humour/Funny, Magical Realism

A more in depth wishlist can be found at https://www.noellestrader.com/write-mentor
My co-mentor Laura Wareck and I are open to a variety of YA genres, but in particular we would love to see:• Mysteries and thrillers – give us your page turners and whodunits!
• Passionate, unapologetic, and unlikable protagonists who will fight for what they want
• Snark and wit
• Activism – we’re here for your good trouble making teen activists! 
• Contemporary and friendship books, especially with a dose of humor
• Dystopian or alternate histories (speculative elements that don’t dive too deep into Sci-fi)
• Romcoms 
• Diverse cast of characters
• Unique premise a plus

noelle_strader

Noelle Strader is a YA author and orthodontist who loves to infuse humor in contemporary teen romance novels. After settling into her dental career, she found herself juggling mom-hood (and not much else). Seeking out a hobby that would dually challenge and inspire her, she fell into the writing rabbit hole. Thanks to our digital world, Noelle was able to deepen her craft through podcasts, conferences, and critique partners. Having earned degrees from The University of Florida, Harvard University, and Boston College (holy debt!) she is particularly fond of East Coast settings. She’s been calling Orlando, FL home for over a decade, but rarely visits the big mouse. Chosen as a WriteMentor mentee in both 2020 and 2021, Noelle recently signed with Brianne Johnson of HG Literary, and is preparing her YA RomCom, The Pros and Cons of Dating Grey, for submission. When she’s not putting pen to paper, you might spot Noelle driving around in her glorified minivan (don’t hate) or wrestling socks out of her goldendoodle’s grill (also loves cats).

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Romance, Dystopian, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

As a writer and a reader, I have a huge love for the fantastical and the romantic. If your work fits either or both of those categories, I’d love to see it. Send me your magic, your fairytales, and your epic love stories, wherever they’re set across time and space. If you’re not sure whether your novel quite fits into any of the normal categories, there’s a good chance it’ll be right up my street.

As a queer author, I’d be a particularly good mentor for novels with queer heroes and love interests, and if you’ve got any ace-aro representation (especially in your romances) send it my way. It’s also worth saying that for me, a love story doesn’t have to be a traditional romance. If you’ve got a story about a deep bond of friendship, the relationship between family members, or anything about found families, I’d love to see it.

Also, on a personal note, I love sports stories and stories set in and around theatres, so if you have one of those – even if it doesn’t seem like a perfect fit with any of the above – please keep me in mind!

I really love puzzling out the structure and pace of novels, so if you think this is an area you need help, I may be a good fit for you. Equally, if what you’re looking for is someone to get stuck into line editing, strengthening character voices, or working on dialogue, those are also areas I’m strong in.

@torestoreamends

As a queer woman who didn’t truly understand her identity until her early twenties, Philippa’s ambition as a writer is to help populate YA and MG bookshelves with a rainbow of queer stories. Her writing is influenced by the training I received during her BA in Journalism – you don’t quickly forget a coarse Yorkshireman yelling at you that stories should be brief and moist! 
Philippa’s work was shortlisted for the 2021 Times/Chicken House Children’s Fiction Prize and the 2021 WriteMentor Novel In Development Award. She is represented by Abi Fellowes at The Good Literary Agency.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Contemporary, Mystery, Dystopian, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I love contemporary fantasy, contemporary, dystopian and low fantasy. Books with diverse characters, a strong voice and great world building are genius. I love anything weird! I enjoy books with heavy topics, but I don’t mind a happy or funny story too. If there is a book that plays with time, I want to read it. 

@RachelWithAn_E 

Rachel Faturoti is a British-Nigerian author, poet and freelance editor, committed to broadening the scope of authentic Black representation in YA and children’s fiction. She works as a sensitivity reader specialising in race and gender issues. Her debut MG and YA novels are out in 2022.

Fantasy, Historical, Magical Realism

Magical realism, fantasy, horror, gothic horror

Books I love:

The Bear and the Nightengale by Katherine Arden
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Morena-Garcia

@begunriv

Riv Begun is a fantasy writer based in Zurich, Switzerland. She is a POSSE Foundation alumni. She has been published in Format.Papier. Slippage Lit, and various Jewish publications. She writes strange things, weird short fiction, and Young Adult novels inspired by Jewish magic and folktales. She can be found on Twitter at @BegunRiv, Instagram at @RivBegun and at her website, rivbegun.com.

Fantasy

I adore fantasy, specifically second-world fantasy set in imaginative worlds. I love breaking the medieval European mold and going in a new direction, and I love new twists on old tropes. I love characters who jump off the page and feel like real people you want to hang out with (even if they make decisions you don’t agree with). I love humor and darkness, but whatever it is, it needs to be packed full of heart. I love genre bending and blending, and clear stakes, whether they be personal or galactic in scale, that drive the character deep along their arc. 

Anything epic, steampunk, gaslamp, science fantasy, sword & sorcery, superhero, alternate history, or dark (but not grimdark please) is right up my alley, but I’m not the best for contemporary (with a few exceptions), court intrigue, portal, or romantic. 

@kaeth_s

Ever since a college professor told S. Kaeth she’d have to eventually focus on just one thing, she’s been dead set on proving him wrong. 

From charging through the wilderness, wrangling alligators and snapping turtles, trapping and counting moles, or supervising prairie burns for college credits to doing research and training frogs, lizards, and a lungfish, she treats life as an adventure. She traded hikes, natural history interpretation boating tours, and creature encounters for the slightly-less-exotic-but-no-less-fun mammal training about the same time she began to get serious about her writing craft. 

You can find her teaching herself languages and lesser-known fiber crafts, hiking, or playing Capoeira when she’s not practicing the fine art of weaving a tale.

Fantasy, Dystopian, Action/Adventure

Send me anything magical, the quirkier the better. I love stories that include both darkness and humour, complex families, awkward or morally grey protagonists, and characters that put their necks on the line for each other. 

SMC_Scookie

Samantha Cook is a YA fantasy author of dark and twisty adventures. Her books contain a slice of magic and a questionable serving of humour, so bear that in mind before taking a bite. She’s also a freelance editor and an editorial assistant for medical books. If she’s not reading, writing, reviewing, or editing, she’s probably asleep, come back later.

Sci-Fi, Thriller, Mystery, Dystopian, Horror, Paranormal, Crime, Magical Realism, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I’m looking for YA novels set in strange worlds, whether it’s the future, the past, alternate timeline, post-apocalyptic, or a world inhabited by the supernatural. Send me your sci-fi, thriller, horror and fantasy. I like fast-paced novels, great cliff hangers, irresistible hooks, tight prose and snappy dialogue. A good villain will always get me reading on. 

@SarahDanBooks

Sarah Daniels is an ex-archaeologist who escaped academia and now writes stories from her home in the countryside. Her debut novel The Stranded will be published by Penguin Random House in July 2022.

Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Dystopian, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

I am drawn to:

– tightly paced stories that take place in richly imagined worlds;
– slow, suspenseful tales bursting with powerful prose;
– stories that can balance multiple genres well
– brave narrative choices that are more literary leaning

Books I’ve read recently that I’ve loved:

– Bad Witch Burning by Jessica Lewis
– These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
– Long way down by Jason Reynolds
– Forever ends on Friday by jason a reynolds
– Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray

oyemakindet_

Tomi grew up in London, before being uprooted at the age of 6 to head across the North Sea to the Netherlands. Going on to live in a further two countries across two continents, he was anchored by a scenic boarding school and fantastical stories – namely Richard Adams’s Watership Down.

Despite a love for stories and a desire to write, Tomi found that finishing was a lot harder than starting. But once he discovered the stories he wanted to tell, he couldn’t put pen to paper fast enough.

Now, Tomi is committed to crafting stories centred on Black protagonists thriving across genres, audiences & worlds.

When Tomi is not busy writing, he can be found daydreaming about his future dog (namely a Rottweiler named Pan) and geeking out over all things anime.

Fantasy, Romance, Time-Travel, Action/Adventure

Send me all the action/adventure stories, fantasy, enemies-to-lovers, rivals-to-lovers, morally gray leads, heists, girls with swords, villains you hate to love or love to hate, and stories with romance that make me desperately pine for them to kiss. Select favorite books include: Six of Crows, The Wicked King, People We Meet On Vacation, Queen of Shadows, The Shadows Between Us. Favorite TV/movies: Jumanji, The Mummy, Ever After, WandaVision, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Lord of the Rings, John Wick, Dark

More here.

valeriecnorton

Originally from sunny California, I graduated magna cum laude from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts in 2013, with an emphasis on film and television critical studies. I also studied abroad in Greece, focusing on history and archaeology.

I moved to Manhattan after college, seeking adventure and a career in the video games industry. Due to my film and video games background, my writing heavily leans toward high concept, commercial fiction, with a heavy splash of adventure and morally gray characters.

In April 2021, I was selected for the WriteMentor mentee program and signed with Bethany Fulk at Holloway Literary in December 2021. I’ll be going on submission in spring 2022 for my YA fantasy adventure.