#QueerKidlit mentorships are on pause.
Please check back September 2023 for information on upcoming mentorships.
Please check back September 2023 for information on upcoming mentorships.
The #QueerKidlit mentorship is for prepublished (yet to be published in traditional publishing), queer writers and/or illustrators who would like guidance on a specific project for a period of three months.
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The #QueerKidlit mentorship is for traditionally unpublished LGBTQ+ kidlit writers and illustrators.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
The application period is May 15 - June 15, 2022.
Check out our amazing mentors!
Our categories are:
Writer Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
Illustrator Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
For more information see our Mentorship FAQ and our list of 2022 Mentors.
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The #QueerKidlit mentorship is for traditionally unpublished LGBTQ+ kidlit writers and illustrators.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
The application period is May 15 - June 15, 2022.
Check out our amazing mentors!
Our categories are:
- Writing: Picture Book Text, YA or MG Novel
- Illustration: Picture Book Dummy or Kidlit Illustration Portfolio
Writer Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
- Your manuscript, formatted with standard formatting rules and saved as a Word or Google document.
- Picture Books: entire manuscript
- YA or MG 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
- Fill out the submission form and upload your manuscript. Click here for entry form
Illustrator Submission Guidelines
What and how to enter:
- Submit a pdf of your dummy 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
- 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 file - Click here for entry form
For more information see our Mentorship FAQ and our list of 2022 Mentors.
