Copy
View this email in your browser
I don't think there will be a newsletter for the next 2 weeks but we'll certainly be back the following week, if we don't get one out the next 2 Mondays.

Calendar of upcoming events

5th Sept: Picture Book course with Clare Helen Welsh
13th Sept: WriteRhyme with Catherine Emmett
23-25th Sept: WOWCON (keynotes are being announced on our social channels! One more to go!)

Free Content Reminder

Sometimes, with all we offer, we forget to promote and tell you about the plethora of free content available to writers on our website, blog, podcast and YouTube channel.

From Writer-in-Residence insights, to our Ask an Agent posts, our free PB and Novel writing resources, interviews with industry professionals and success stories, there's so much there for you and we encourage you to share those widely, especially in groups and with writing friends who are newer to WM!

Ask an Agent

Amber Caravéo, agent at Skylark, shares her insights.

Current hot publishing trend...

Amber: Young Adult, especially thrillers or romance – thank you BookTok

Submission turn on...

Amber: Anything high concept, fresh and different. In Young Adult, an unreliable narrator. In Middle Grade, a strong, quirky voice or a great mystery! And we still need more diversity and inclusivity in children’s publishing so that every reader can see themselves represented in the books they read, so I’m always pleased to see work by authors from under-represented groups.

Submission turn off...

Amber: Anything that opens with the protagonist getting bullied – only because it’s been done a little too much!

Current children's read...

Amber: When the World Was Ours by the marvellous Liz Kessler.

Biggest submission wish...

Amber: A Young Adult mystery/thriller with a great LGBTQ+ love story woven in. A Middle Grade protagonist with a really strong and distinctive voice and plenty to say!  More than anything, I just want fantastic writing that grips me from the very first page!

NID Award Update

Thanks for your patience as we read through these. I always get very stressed about this part, because I know what it's like to enter and wait. But someone gently reminded me this week that a top novel awards takes 8 months to judge and you're not allowed to disclose anything (if you're on the LL etc) until the very end, so at least we don't put you through that torture.

Do bear in mind we always work as fast as we can, and certainly don't keep you waiting a second longer than necessary, so while I know it can be hard, please stop sending us emails to ask when the feedback will arrive. We will let you know and send it as soon as it's ready.

Thank you again for your patience and the huge kindness so many of you show us all of the time.

For reference, all adult reading is done (except from one or two), and kids are about 55% complete. Their latest deadline was last week, but understandably many have had difficulty completing it, several have pulled out last minute, and others are just needing a bit more time.

To help you understand the logistics - if a child withdraws from reading, we have to reallocate those 10 entries and it's unreasonable to ask the willing child to read all 10 any sooner than 2 weeks - they have school, exams and lives - so hopefully this will enlighten. Ultimately we have a duty to the kids as well as to all the entrants, and we always do our best balancing those expectations.

We know the kid feedback is very important to many of you, and so I hope you'll accept that in order to get this, we all need patience. I will update you all via Twitter, when we're close, and with a likely date.

WM Novel and Picture Books Awards 2022

We are delighted to present the openings of all 12 shortlisted stories from our 2022 award here.

2 of our shortlist have now signed with agents, and the other 10 have now had their work sent off by us to our associated agents to be considered - sending them all good vibes!

Hub Calendar

Live sessions:

Mon 27th June: Idea Generating Workshop 7-9pm
Weds 29th June: Workshop with Rashmi 8pm
Thurs 30th June: Workshop with Marcus 7pm
Mon 18th July: Closing date for PitchHero judged by Rachel Petty
Thurs 21st July: Workshop with Marcus 7pm
Tues 26th July: Ness Wood, award-winning picture book, fiction designer and art director 6pm
Weds 27th July: Workshop with Rashmi 8pm
Aug 6-7th: Novel Conception Weekend

This is just a few of the many sessions/opportunities that happen every month in the Hub and are all available on catch-up if you join now.

Mentoring

WriteMentor Spark is a monthly, online one-to-one mentoring service. Working with a children’s author, you will receive ongoing developmental editing, writing advice, publishing insights, and direct feedback on your manuscript to help you elevate your writing craft to the next level.

Spark Mentoring is always available if you need extra help or support each month.

Alternatively you can join the waiting list for our group mentoring (PB, MG, YA) here.

If you'd like 1-2-1 PB mentoring, complete this form.

Magazine

WriteMentor Magazine Issue 9 out now!

Buy your copy here!

Catch up on past issues ⬇️

Podcast

We've got not one, but THREE podcast series for your ears to enjoy! All free-to-access, so grab a cup of tea and settle down to some writing & publishing insights. Our Podcast page is here. If you prefer watching, or would like closed captions, you can go to our YouTube channel. Latest episode: This Writing Life: Ep4 The Absolutely Best Thing
This Writing Life: Episode 4

Do you trust us?

We’re on Trustpilot!
Reviews help us reach new writers and grow the WriteMentor community, so if you can spare a minute or two, we’d be grateful for one on our new Trustpilot page https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/write-mentor.com

Final Word

As writers we learn from others in our writing community, from authors and courses. But as a disabled writer dealing with chronic health conditions, I’ve found myself having to reframe some of this advice. 
 
Common pitfalls and difficulties like imposter syndrome – may include extra aspects. For a disabled/chronically-ill writer it may become a battle against internalised ableism. Being harder on ourselves in an attempt to keep up with healthy and able-bodied writers. 
 
For me, this led to me fighting a losing battle to be something I can’t be. It encouraged mean self-talk, added to my exhaustion and sometimes made me sad.
 
This is something I’ve worked on in recent years. My conclusion is: by battling against what makes my perspective what it is, I risk losing my personal writing voice.
 
Plus, it’s a huge drain on my limited energy.
 
I wish I’d realised this sooner. Not that I’ve got it all sorted – I’ve still plenty to work through. It helps to have other disabled and chronically-ill writers who inspire me.
 
My latest challenge is to stop apologising too much for not being able to do things. It’s nice to say sorry when I’m late or have to pull out of something but no need to berate myself and apologise profusely.
 
This stems from my fear of letting people down. I don’t want my inability mistaken for lack of enthusiasm or commitment. But to honour my writing voice and perspective I must stop feeling bad for being unable to alter things out of my control. 
 
Every stage of writing – from finding the initial energy to finding an agent or publisher – requires extra management. For instance, when drafting a WIP – pacing is necessary. And if an agent (I live in hope) wanted to meet me in London I’d need to organise help from a carer or personal assistant.
 
In the past I was afraid to declare my struggles. But how will the publishing industry realise our needs if we’re not open? Declaring my difficulties may rule me out of consideration by some agents and publishers. With lots of good writers submitting already – why bother adjusting for those who can’t work in the expected ways? Luckily there are agencies and publishers who realise the answer to this. That authentic perspectives lead to truthful books that readers can empathise with and relate to. 
 
It’s not just the publishing world which benefits from new ways of working – we can too. Our writing lives can be happier and more productive when we find healthy ways to approach our work. For me, this happens best when sharing ideas and learning from others. With this in mind, I’ve been talking with our Jedi Master (aka Stuart) about ways to help chronically-ill and disabled writers. To be clear, this includes everyone who identifies no matter how mild or severe they judge their struggles to be. It’s all about how we as individuals identify and not about any specific label. 

There are many common hurdles we all face. I struggle with physical disabilities; my daughter is autistic, and friend has crippling low self-esteem. Yet we’ve discovered we share multiple stumbling blocks and barriers. 
 
What would help you? 
 
What about hearing from writers with experience of these varied challenges?

Would interviews, podcasts, articles, zoom check ins, or a hub channel where we can share helpful links be useful? We’ve many ideas. But as magical as all the Jedi working at Write Mentor are – they still have to cope with wrangling time and cost, so no promises.
 
I know – shocking because it does seem they are constantly delivering beyond our wildest dreams!
 
We’d like to hear your helpful thoughts to gauge the need and want within our lovely community. Please DM me (Katina) or/and Stuart on the hub. Or express your input via Twitter tagging in @writementor and #CIDwriters.
 
Find a way to write which works with, not against, your individual abilities and needs. 
 
Don’t apologise for or disregard what is part of you and your writing voice. 
 
Fight for your unique voice – it’s likely to be invaluable to future readers. I know for some of you this is hard to believe. But I put it to you – what if your perspective is the one readers out there need?
Writing can be lonely, but it doesn't need to be.

May the Force be with you!

Stuart, Florianne, Melissa and Emily
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Copyright © 2022 #WriteMentor - for all writers of children's fiction, All rights reserved.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
 
 Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp
https://login.mailchimp.com/signup/email-referral/?aid=19c04afb4a731dc9bb358cd7e