Become a Mentor
The Mentor application deadline was March 17, 2023.
Please check back in early 2024 for information on next year's program.
Mentor Guidelines
Eligibility
RWA members who are
General PAN,
PAN-Eligible,
PAN Provisional or
PAN-Equivalent, are eligible to apply to be RAMP Mentors. Mentors will be selected by RWA Staff.
Mentors will participate in a four-week period of reviewing of mentee applications to select one or two mentees to work with followed by a sixteen-week period where they will work with their mentee(s) on a manuscript revision, a 50-word pitch, query letter, synopsis or back cover blurb, as well as answer questions about the business of writing.
Minimally, we expect mentors to:
- Perform one edit round on the full manuscript and provide feedback to the mentee in a mutually agreed upon format
- Perform one edit round on a 50-word pitch, and either a query letter, a synopsis, or a back cover blurb, depending on mentee's preference
- Answer questions about the business of writing, publishing, and reaching their indie-author or traditionally-published goals.
Optionally, mentors may want to perform a final read-through of their mentee's manuscript before the showcase begins.
The Process
Once selected, mentors’ wish lists and link to their “about page'' on their website will be posted for potential mentees to view. After the close of the mentee submission period, mentors will receive a link to a folder containing the applications of the mentees who wish to work with them. Mentors have four weeks to review the applications and submission materials, which includes a 250 word or less story summary and the first three chapters of a completed manuscript, and choose who they would like to work with.
Mentors will work with their mentees over the course of sixteen (16) weeks to revise the full manuscript, a 50-word pitch, and either a query letter, synopsis, or back cover blurb, and answer questions about the business of writing.
The goal at the end of the program is for the mentee to have a manuscript and collateral materials that are ready to submit to an editor or agent, or ready to go to a proofreader before self-publication.
If you have questions, please contact
RAMP@rwa.org or check out our Mentor FAQs below.
What's in a Wish List?
A wish list contains all the information potential mentees will know if you are the right person to whom they should submit their manuscript. A wish list will help them get to know you, what your strengths are, what you’re looking for in a manuscript, what you’re not looking for in a manuscript, and maybe a little about the type of mentee you think you’d work well with.
Some information you can include:
- Link to website's "About Page"
- Subgenres I’m Looking For
- Subgenres I Do Not Want
- Themes and Tropes I Love
- Themes and Tropes I Stay Away From
- My Mentor Style
- Writing Craft Strengths
- Publishing Strengths
- Mentee's Ideal Publishing Path
And anything else you feel would help connect the right mentee to you!
RAMP Mentor Forum
Each mentor will be subscribed to a dedicated forum to interact with fellow mentors, sharing advice and encouragement during the run of the program.
Selected 2023 Mentors will have access to their forum beginning March 30, 2023.
RAMP 2023 Community Forum
Each mentor and mentee will be subscribed to this dedicated forum to receive RAMP specific announcements. Mentors and mentees will be subscribed to the community forum beginning June 12, 2023.
Important Mentor Dates for RAMP 2023
February 20: Mentor applications open
March 17: Mentor applications close
March 31: Mentors announced
May 6: Zoom meeting with mentors
June 2: Select a mentee
June 9: Mentees announced
June 10: Zoom meeting with mentors and mentees
June 12: RAMP 2023 begins
July Date TBA: Pen2Paper/RAMP Mixer at RWA Annual Conference
September Date TBA: Free registration to RWA U Class
September 30: Last day of 16-week period
Why Mentor?
Mentor FAQs
Do I have to be an RWA member?
Yes. Eligible mentors must be RWA members who are General PAN, PAN-Eligible, PAN-Provisional or PAN-Equivalent.
Do I have to be agented or have prior mentor experience to apply?
Being agented or having prior mentor experience are not required.
What if I am not interested in any of the mentee submissions I receive?
All mentors will have access to a 2nd Chance folder where they can review mentee applications and submission materials that were not selected by a mentor. If you cannot find a mentor in that folder, contact RAMP@rwa.org.
Can I request more information from my mentee applicants?
Yes, you will be able to request more materials or ask questions by sending the name of the applicant and your request or question to RAMP@rwa.org.
What if I choose the same mentee as another mentor?
In the event mentors choose the same mentee applicant we will check the application to determine the order in which the mentee lists each mentor (i.e. 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice). The mentor who placed highest on the mentee’s list will mentor that mentee.
What if I am selected and can't complete the mentor requirements?
Contact RAMP@rwa.org immediately so we can attempt to reassign your mentee.
What if I can't get in touch with my mentee or am having other issues?
Contact RAMP@rwa.org .