Mentoring
Applications
Mentoring
Get focused one-to-one help as you write your novel, memoir or non-fiction project.
Length
6 monthsLocation
ZoomWriting Goal
Develop your writingWork on your manuscript with a mentor from our team of experienced author-tutors. We’ll match you with a mentor based on the genre and style of your book. Your mentor will help you to develop your craft and troubleshoot issues in your manuscript as well as keeping your writing momentum high, sharing feedback on up to 10,000 words of your work-in-progress each time you meet.
Mentoring is perfect for writers seeking targeted, detailed one-to-one feedback. Our programme comprises three one-hour sessions that take place over the course of three, six or nine months depending on the pace you’re working at. Each session will focus on how best to support you – whether you are working towards a finished manuscript, embarking on an edit, or looking for advice on next steps or guidance as you begin a new project.
We have expert mentors for those writing the following:
- Novels written for adults
- Novels written for children (older than 7) or young adults
- Collections of short stories
- Memoir
- Narrative non-fiction
Huge thanks for sending Emily (Barr) into my writing life, we get on brilliantly – she ‘gets’ the book – and me – which is the most wonderful gift
Former mentoring student
How does it work?
- Discuss three extracts of up to 10,000 words across three one-hour video call meetings.
- Work with your mentor at the pace that suits you. Choose to take your mentoring across a three-, six- or nine-month timeframe.
- Receive 500 words of written notes from your mentor after each meeting.
Your mentor will read up to 10,000 words of your work before each session and then provide valuable and constructive feedback verbally and by giving you 500 words of notes each time. You can also use a mentoring session to have an in-depth discussion about plot issues by sharing a synopsis plus an 8,000-word extract instead – or just a synopsis and a sheet of issues and questions to put to the mentor. If you’re writing non-fiction, you can choose to use a session to discuss your draft proposal and sample material (together comprising up to 10,000 words).
The sessions take place on dates to be agreed between you, for one hour. Usually mentoring takes place over Zoom – but where logistically possible, and where it’s preferable and workable for both parties, the meeting may take place in person. The three sessions should be spread so that they happen at even intervals across your agreed upon timeline (i.e., once a month for three months, every two months across six months or every three months across the nine-month period).
Schedule
This is a bespoke service, and you'll work with the CBC team and your mentor to tailor the programme to your needs. You can sign up for mentoring at any time.
You must submit your 10,000-word extract at least two weeks ahead of your planned date for meetings, to give your mentor ample reading time. The three mentoring sessions should be spread evenly.
A six-month June 2025 to December 2025 mentoring programme would look like this:
Mentoring Session 1
Jun - Aug 2025Mentoring Session 2
Aug - Oct 2025Mentoring session 3
Oct - Dec 2025
Fees & discounts
£1,700 (inc VAT), payable in full before mentoring starts, or via three agreed instalments of £566.66. Please note that writers seeking a three-month mentoring plan must pay the full fee upfront.
Alumni of our selective three- or six-month Writing Your Novel courses are eligible for a £100 discount (paying £1,600). Email students@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk for more alumni discount information.
Ready to apply?
Please apply with a 3,000-word extract from your opening alongside a one-page synopsis (both need to be in the same document, as you can only upload ONE file) or short summary of the book you’re writing and do let us know if you have a preferred mentor in mind (see the list below).
Each mentor only has limited spaces, and they are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so get in touch as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. If we can’t match you with your first-choice mentor, we will endeavour to suggest a suitable alternative.
Your answers to the application form and your manuscript extract will help us select the right mentor for your book from our experienced team.
You can apply at any time. After we receive your application, we will be in touch to discuss suitable mentors within seven working days.
Alumni of our selective-application courses are guaranteed access to our mentoring programme.
If you have any questions about our mentoring or available mentors, please email students@curtisbrowncreative.co.uk
Mentors
All our mentors are published authors or industry professionals with significant teaching experience.
Craig Barr-Green
- Award-winning children's author
- Lecturer at Falmouth University
- Available for mentoring, submission reports & full manuscript reports
- Genres: YA, Children's, Middle Grade
Genevieve Fox
- Renowned feature journalist
- Acclaimed memoir writer
- Available for mentoring, submission reports & full manuscript reports
- Genres: Memoir
Abbie Greaves
- Shortlisted for the RNA Debut Novel of the Year Award
- Author of two novels
- Former Curtis Brown literary agent's assistant
- Available for mentoring, submission reports & full manuscript reports
- Genres: Women's fiction, Romance, Suspense, Reading group
