Seek expert advice, tackle creative blocks and prepare your manuscript for publication with creative writing mentoring from National Centre for Writing
Looking for advice? Need feedback on your writing? Creative writing mentoring is an opportunity for one-to-one exchange between you and an expert writing mentor, where you can receive in-depth advice on taking your work forward, wherever you are in your writing journey.
Mentoring is tailored to your needs, focussing on your writing priorities, and can either be delivered in a single session or over a more sustained period, depending on your challenges and budget.
Writers of all kinds often face challenges, from finding the time to write and tackling creative blocks to preparing manuscripts for publication. This is why we have developed flexible mentoring packages through which writers can work individually with an experienced mentor to overcome all kinds of obstacles.
Our mentors are uniquely placed to help writers of all levels, from the finer details of a specific project to the bigger picture of your life as a writer. Working one-to-one, each session is focused on how best to help you, wherever you are in your writing journey.
What is mentoring?
Creative writing mentoring consists of an hour-long, one-to-one session with an experienced writer mentor. Your session will focus on how best to help you, whether you are at the start of a project and seeking ways to develop your craft; working on a manuscript and needing advice on a particular issue; or are seeking feedback on a finished piece of work and wondering about next steps. One of our mentors is also well placed to assist with creative funding applications and practical career advice.
To get started, we advise you to book an introductory session with the mentor of your choice. Together, you will talk through your project and the main obstacles that you’re facing.
Mentoring works best as a sustained relationship over a period of time. If you’d like to commit to a longer period of structured feedback and support, take advantage of our bundle discount and secure several sessions over a period of weeks or months. Develop a professional relationship with your mentor and together you can refine your manuscript, work on a funding application or implement an action plan to improve your creative practice.
We currently offer online mentoring sessions for writers of poetry, fiction, creative non-fiction, children’s and YA literature, developing your creative practice, and much more.
Browse our mentoring packages below, or read on to learn more about the benefits of mentoring and whether it is right for you.
Which option is right for me?
Single or introductory mentoring session
£95 for one, one-hour session
Trying mentoring for the first time? Seeking help for a particular challenge? Book a single, hour-long session with one of our experienced mentors and receive in-depth advice on taking your writing forward.
Single mentoring sessions are great if:
- You are new to mentoring and would like a taster of what the relationship can offer;
- You would like an introduction to your chosen mentor before embarking on a sustained period of support;
- You have a particular challenge or area of advice you would like to address.
If your one-off mentoring session is a success, we recommend booking our ‘Aspire: mentoring package’ of three sessions or more.
Aspire: mentoring package (three session minimum)
From £285 (save 10% when booking three sessions or more)
Dedicate time to improving your craft and overcoming obstacles in your writing life with a bespoke package of support from an experienced writer mentor.
Develop a long-term, professional relationship with your mentor and together you can refine your manuscript, work on a funding application or implement an action plan to improve your creative practice — whatever it is that will help you to achieve your writing goals.
A mentoring package of three sessions minimum or more is great for writers who:
- Have drafted a manuscript and would like feedback and suggestions for improvement;
- Are ready to publish their work and would like advice on how to pitch to agents or find a publisher;
- Are at the early stages of a piece of work, or perhaps aren’t working on a particular project, and would like regular guidance and feedback on how to improve elements of their craft;
- Want to apply for funding, development opportunities, or find ways to create new avenues for income as a writer.
Your mentoring sessions will be tailored to your individual needs, so you can bring any creative challenges to the table.
Book three or more sessions in one transaction with the same mentor and receive a 10% discount on your total purchase. This discount will be automatically applied to your basket.
Meet our mentors…
Mentoring with Heidi Williamson
Explore Heidi Williamson’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing your poetry.
Dates between Wednesday 20 December & Wednesday 20 March
Mentoring with Julia Bird
Explore Julia Bird’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing your creative practice and providing industry support.
Dates between Friday 26 January & Friday 22 March
Mentoring with Chip Colquhoun
Explore Chip Colquhoun’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing your children’s and Young Adult fiction, and improving your story structure, voice and character.
Saturday 16 December
Mentoring with Kate Worsley
Explore Kate Worsley’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing long-form writing, whether that be fiction, non-fiction or somewhere in between.
Dates between Tuesday 9 January & Tuesday 4 June
Mentoring with Katri Skala
Explore Katri Skala’s mentoring offer, aimed at developing your fiction, drama or creative non-fiction.
Dates between Thursday 14 December & Wednesday 20 March
