Michelle Begley Mentorship Program

The window to apply for the 2024-2025 Michelle Begley Mentorship Program has closed. Please check back next September/October to apply for 2025-2026.

History:

The Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI wants its membership to succeed! It was in that spirit that Michelle Begley spearheaded the effort to create and coordinate a local mentoring program. The program was named in Michelle’s honor after she passed away in 2015 and true to Michelle’s vision, it continues to inspire and elevate participating writers and illustrators.

The Mentor Program is designed for writers or illustrators who have put in time in their craft and feel that working one-on-one with a mentor could help take their work to the next level.

Our participating mentors are as generous as they are talented. They want to help you find success in the exciting and sometimes crazy world of writing and illustrating for children. They’ve been through the rigors of revision and rejection. They know the frustration of pouring your heart and soul into a project that doesn’t find a publishing home. And in spite of their busy schedules and deadlines, these mentors are offering their time and expertise to help you hone your craft.

The Mentor Program is not a promise you’ll be published. But at a minimum, if you work hard and give the mentorship your best effort, you will learn and your craft will improve.

If you are new to getting feedback, know that it can be a challenge! Read this blog post for suggestions about how to receive and incorporate feedback.

Eligibility

RMC-SCBWI full members (including self-published), associate members, and PAL (Published and Listed) members. We will also accept applications from SCBWI members who have connections to our chapter.

What to Expect

When you apply to the Mentor Program you will select one or two mentors to whom your work will be submitted. If selected, your mentorship lasts six months (see Mentorship Timeline) beginning with your original submission directly to your mentor after acceptance. During the mentorship you will communicate with your mentor at least once per month via email, phone, Zoom, or in-person as decided by you and your mentor. You will also set goals for the mentorship. The work you do will be informed by mentor feedback and expect to work hard on your portfolio or manuscript(s). Be open to constructive criticism and prepared for intensive critique. Each mentorship is unique -- we look forward to seeing what you will accomplish!

NOTE: This is a blind application process and mentors will not know whose work they’re reading. Your name will appear ONLY on your application form, and you will be assigned a number for your work sample, synopsis, and artist statement. Mentors select mentees based on the application, artist statement, and manuscripts or illustrations they have received.

2024-25 AUTHOR, ILLUSTRATOR, & AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR MENTORS

Please click here to review the list and bios for our 2024-2025 Mentors. The document includes the projects and genres they are open to mentoring.

Cost

The cost of the program is $540.

We are excited to share that the Writing Roosters are offering a scholarship for the Michelle Begley Mentorship Program! If you'd like to apply, click here for information and deadlines.

Questions?

Email our Mentor Program Coordinators, Coral Jenrette and Laura Perdew, at mentorprogram.rmc.scbwi@gmail.com.