Introduction
A healthy writing community thrives on the mentor/mentee relationship. Workhorse, in partnership with the James Baker Hall Foundation, would like to help facilitate the growth of young writers by providing a formal process for connecting writers at the beginning of their careers with established and well-published writers. Apply to be a mentor here.
Program Summary
Thanks to a generous grant from the James Baker Hall Foundation, young writers and their mentors can apply for a one-time stipend to facilitate their mentor/menteeship. These mentorships would begin in August and end in May.
Program Objectives
- Foster collaboration and connection among the writing community’s developing and established writers.
- Help young writers transition from their writing programs/classes into the professional world of writing and publishing.
- Provide financial support to the work of the numerous mentors throughout the state.
Program Requirements
Mentor Requirements
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Be an established writer with notable publications in their chosen genre(s)
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Provide a background check, if working with minors/school students
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Complete appropriate volunteer forms for minors/school students
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Complete mentorship application
Mentee Requirements
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Be over 16 years-old at start of mentorship
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Be enrolled in a school program, course, camp, with writing expectations and outcomes
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Complete mentee application
Program Expectations
Mentor Expectations
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Fill out application to be mentor (August)
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Accept a student who contacts you if you are genuinely interested in their work (September)
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Provide some initial guiding feedback and reading recommendations (October/November)
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Maintain regular contact with your mentee (October-March)
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Provide feedback to a first draft (March)
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Fulfill student’s program requirements for mentors, i.e., performances, banquets, thesis defenses, etc. (April/May)
Mentee Expectations
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Seek out a mentor and request to work with them (August)
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Send your program’s expectation and writing ideas to mentor (September)
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Attend Mentor/Mentee Luncheon (October)
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Maintain regular contact with your mentor (October-March)
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Work on projects and reading list (October-March)
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Send first draft of project to Mentor (March)
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Submit a revised piece or excerpt to cohort publication
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Fulfill your program’s expectations (April/May)
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Attend cohort dinner and reading (May/June)
Program Pay
Mentors receive a $400 dollar stipend.
About the Program Coordinator, Christopher McCurry
Having a mentor can change a life. At a time when I wanted to pursue writing but had no financial means to pay for a class or mentor, Katerina Stoykova helped me grow as a writer and individual in the writing community. Her mentorship and now friendship, continues to enrich my and my family’s life. This program is designed in her honor.