Art by Taylor Barron
Look for information about the 2025 Queer Kidlit Mentorship in November 2024. Sign up for the newsletter below to get updates on the 2025 program or if you would like to learn more about being a mentor or applying to be a mentee.
The #QueerKidlit mentorship is for prepublished (yet to be published in traditional publishing), not-yet-agented, LGBTQIA+ children's literature creators (writers and/or illustrators) who would like guidance on a specific kidlit project for a period of three months from more experience, traditionally published kidlit creator.
An amazing group of authors and illustrators have agreed to volunteer as mentors! Mentors will connect with mentees at least once per month for a three-month period. This may be via email, phone, or video chat, depending on what works best for individual people involved. Mentors may help you with your submission materials, offer advice on the publishing industry, or work with you on craft. Our mentors are busy professionals who are volunteering their time. They are able to communicate with you about the work you submit to the mentorship, but not your novel in full.
Who can apply?
The Queer Kidlit Mentorship program is for traditionally prepublished, not-yet-agented LGBTQIA+ kidlit writers and illustrators. Having up to two self-published projects is allowed. Priority will be given to those who can demonstrate advanced progress on their projects. People with intersectional queer identities that have been historically marginalized in children’s publishing are encouraged to apply. There is no application fee or charge for for the mentorship. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
Application Process
Each mentor has a separate application. You can apply to up to three mentors. The applications are accessible from from the mentors' profile pages. To find this, go to MEET THE MENTORS and click on a mentor's name. There is also a list of application links at the bottom of the page. Each mentor will only be mentoring one mentee even if they are listed as mentoring different kidlit projects.
Our kidlit project categories are:
Application Questions That Require Longer Answers
Since people can apply to up to three mentors and the program uses an online forms for the application, it is highly recommended that people prepare their answers to the following questions in a document so you can cut and paste the answers into the application form(s). (Applicants can apply to up to three mentors). The application will have additional questions, but these questions require longer answers. The applications will be reviewed by the program coordinator and the mentor. Please write with the prospective mentor as your primary audience.
Writer Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
Illustrator & Writer/Illustrator Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
[Website will be updated for 2025 Mentorship Match in November 2024.]
For more information see our Mentorship FAQ and our list of 2024 Mentors.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact Meghan at queerkidlit @ gmail.com.
The #QueerKidlit mentorship is for prepublished (yet to be published in traditional publishing), not-yet-agented, LGBTQIA+ children's literature creators (writers and/or illustrators) who would like guidance on a specific kidlit project for a period of three months from more experience, traditionally published kidlit creator.
An amazing group of authors and illustrators have agreed to volunteer as mentors! Mentors will connect with mentees at least once per month for a three-month period. This may be via email, phone, or video chat, depending on what works best for individual people involved. Mentors may help you with your submission materials, offer advice on the publishing industry, or work with you on craft. Our mentors are busy professionals who are volunteering their time. They are able to communicate with you about the work you submit to the mentorship, but not your novel in full.
Who can apply?
The Queer Kidlit Mentorship program is for traditionally prepublished, not-yet-agented LGBTQIA+ kidlit writers and illustrators. Having up to two self-published projects is allowed. Priority will be given to those who can demonstrate advanced progress on their projects. People with intersectional queer identities that have been historically marginalized in children’s publishing are encouraged to apply. There is no application fee or charge for for the mentorship. You must be at least 18 years old to apply.
Application Process
Each mentor has a separate application. You can apply to up to three mentors. The applications are accessible from from the mentors' profile pages. To find this, go to MEET THE MENTORS and click on a mentor's name. There is also a list of application links at the bottom of the page. Each mentor will only be mentoring one mentee even if they are listed as mentoring different kidlit projects.
Our kidlit project categories are:
- board book/picture book manuscript
- board book/picture book dummy
- chapter book
- illustrator portolio
- graphic novel (script)
- graphic novel (pages)
- middle grade
- young adult
Application Questions That Require Longer Answers
Since people can apply to up to three mentors and the program uses an online forms for the application, it is highly recommended that people prepare their answers to the following questions in a document so you can cut and paste the answers into the application form(s). (Applicants can apply to up to three mentors). The application will have additional questions, but these questions require longer answers. The applications will be reviewed by the program coordinator and the mentor. Please write with the prospective mentor as your primary audience.
- Please introduce yourself. (Up to 200 words)
- Pitch the project you're submitting or describe your work if submitting your portfolio. (Up to 100 words)
- Please share how you've developed your craft and industry knowledge so far. (Up to 200 words)
- Regarding the project you submitted, what do you hope to further develop or work on if you're selected as a mentee? (Up to 200 words)
- When getting feedback on your work, what type and style of feedback is a good match for you? (Up to 200 words)
Writer Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
- Your manuscript, formatted with standard formatting rules and saved as a Word document.
- Picture Books: entire manuscript
- CB, MG, GN script, or YA novel: first 10 pages + synopsis
- Name the file with this convention: Title_Firstname_Lastname.doc
- Include your name on the first page of the manuscript, but no contact information
- Upload your manuscript in your application(s). (You many apply to up to three mentors.)
Illustrator & Writer/Illustrator Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
- Submit a pdf of your PB dummy, GN pages, or portfolio (please include your name on the first page of the submission, but no contact information)
- Picture Book Dummy: .pdf of entire picture book dummy
- Graphic Novel pages: synopsis & 5 pages with at least 1 fully rendered
- Portfolio: 7-10 images, saved as one .pdf file
- Name the file with this convention: title_Firstname_Lastname.doc -OR- Portfolio_Firstname_Lastname.doc
- Fill out the submission form and upload your application(s). (You may apply to up to three mentors.)
[Website will be updated for 2025 Mentorship Match in November 2024.]
For more information see our Mentorship FAQ and our list of 2024 Mentors.
If you have any questions or suggestions, you can contact Meghan at queerkidlit @ gmail.com.
