SCBWI

Society of
Children's Book Writers
and Illustrators

Creative Coaching Groups: 6-Month Mentorship Program for Kidlit Writers and Illustrators

This 6-month mentorship program, available only to SCBWI members, will connect you with a published mentor author or illustrator who will provide detailed written feedback on your work each month and conduct monthly online small group meetings that provide support, brainstorming, and community. You will also have the opportunity to improve your craft through peer critiques. Each cohort will be capped at 3-6 participants.

Each Creative Coaching Group centers around monthly mentor critiques: You will submit your work for critique each month and receive a detailed written critique from your mentor, for a total of 6 critiques. (See submission details below for each cohort.) It’s up to you whether you want to submit new work each month, or revise your work and resubmit for another pass. Illustrators will also have the option to follow targeted illustration prompts. The pricing of our cohorts is based on the cost of the monthly mentor critiques.

Bonus features:

  • -Monthly peer critiques: You will complete a monthly written peer critique for each of the other members of your cohort, and receive written critiques from your peers each month. (See cohort details below for maximum numbers in each group.)
  • -Online group meetings: You’ll meet with your mentor and cohort for seven 60-90 minute meetings. (See groups and dates below.) These live online meetings will be a chance to ask questions, brainstorm, get clarification about critiques, and receive craft and career guidance tailored to the needs of the group.
  • -Email group: Your cohort will connect via an email listserv facilitated through Google Groups. This will be your place to share resources, ask questions, and connect with your cohort.

Upcoming Sessions:

January to June 2023 Program Details – general registration opens December 1, 2022.

Scholarships are available and applications will be accepted through November 15, 2022.  Find out more about scholarships here.