RWA and the RAMP Committee are proud to announce the RAMP 2025-2026 Mentor Cadre!
This year, the Mentee application requires prospective Mentees to submit a query letter tailored to their top choice of Mentor, similar to how writers may approach querying agents and editors.
RAMP Mentors have provided information on the romance subgenres they would like to work with, their wishlist for their ideal Mentee, and additional information about themselves to help prospective Mentees identify the top three Mentors they would like to work with.
Please note: Only your top choice of Mentor is required to be addressed in your query. For more information on how to assemble your materials, check out our Querying Resources.
For all other questions on the submission process, contact the Committee using the Contact Us form.
DON’T Randomly choose a Mentor.
DON’T Choose a Mentor whose interests don’t align with your manuscript.
DON’T Send a generic query letter.
DO Research which Mentors best fit your publishing goals.
DO Make sure they have experience with your sub-genre.
DO Tailor your query to let them know why you’d like to be their Mentee!
Mentor Name Socials
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Subgenres
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Wishlist
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- Science Fiction
- Fantasy
- Paranormal
- Romantasy
- Erotic
- Dark Romance
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I'd love to mentor someone with a sci-fi, futuristic, urban fantasy, or paranormal romance. Sweet to erotica heat levels, and I've no issue with things blowing up—In fact, oftentimes, I prefer it.
I’m traditional, digitally and indie published, and have 23 books under my belt. I’ve won a bunch of awards and contests, and placed in more.
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- Historical
- Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
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I write at sweet/clean and steamy heat levels, have a copy editing background, and have won and finaled in chapter contests. |
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- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Historical
- Paranormal
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I look for fast-paced stories that don't get too bogged down with descriptive narrative, characters that are believable and relatable. |
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- Contemporary
- Historical
- Paranormal
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantasy
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I am pretty open to most stories. I published my first Historical Romance in 2017 and have been regularly publishing since then.
I love stories with adventure and action and good pacing. I am not a great copy editor. I spend more time with my mentees talking plot and story and all things that go with it.
I can assist someone considering traditional publishing, as I did my share of pitching and sending out proposals before I made the choice to go indie.
I am only published in Historical Romance, but I read widely, so I am familiar with the formats of several romance sub-genres.
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- Contemporary
- Erotic
- Historical
- New Adult
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
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I've enjoyed working with RAMP mentees in previous years and serving as a guide for P2P and Paper2Polished.
I'm drawn to romantic suspense with the mix of love, twists, reversals, and danger. But I also enjoy contemporary romance with some spice, and historical romance.
As an indie author, I've waded through various resources to improve my writing and promotions, and learned another side of the business this year working with a small publisher.
I'm mostly looking for a mentee who's passionate about the writing and publishing process. If you gotta do it, I got your back.
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- Contemporary
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- New Adult
- Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
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Prefer stories featuring strong, contemporary women who don't take the traditional marriage/baby route as gospel but like to leave their futures open.
Heat levels range from closed door intimacy down to sweet. I do not like gratuitous sexual scenes.
Overall, I'm passionate about stories with themes as the guiding element and characters who exemplify reality. My strong points are scene description and dialogue.
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I have a degree in education, so teaching is sort of my thing. I can deliver critique effectively and honestly without stomping all over the author. I read every day and have a good grasp of the genre. I think I'm decent with dialogue, and honestly, I just like helping people.
In a mentee, I'm hoping for someone who is a good communicator and wants to get the most out of this experience. I can be pretty direct sometimes, so if that scares you, I may night be the right fit.
My strong suit is historical romance, but I read a lot of contemporary as well and would be most comfortable with those specific genres, though I'm open to others.
I do not like books with a lot of violence and would have a hard time working on that. Definitely not dark. I'm a Hallmark junkie, after all! All spice levels are fine. I like characters you want to root for, not so much the alphahole type, they tend to just make me angry, lol.
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- Contemporary
- Fantasy
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- New Adult
- Paranormal
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
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I'm always excited to see manuscripts that celebrate MM romance and romances featuring diverse characters.
My strongest areas are romantic suspense, contemporary romance, and romcoms, since those are the genres I've written and published in the most. Because I work with college students every day, I also have a solid understanding of new adult romance and what resonates with that audience.
I also have a personal love of cozy mysteries and urban fantasy, so I'd enjoy working with a manuscript that blends those elements into a strong central love story.
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- Contemporary
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- Romantic Comedy
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I'd like to work on a short to mid-length contemporary (50-75K). I love touches of humor and characters that surprise me.
When mentoring, I focus on the positive, while pointing out weak areas and brainstorming solutions that work for the author.
My strengths are amping up conflicts and character motivations. I'll do everything I can to help you on your road to publication.
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- Contemporary
- Erotic
- Historical
- Paranormal
- Romantic Suspense
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I'm an avid reader of romance across multiple sub-genres. However, my writing expertise (in decreasing order) lies particularly in contemporary, historical, and paranormal romance---both M/F and M/M---and romantic suspense.
I want stories where the characters drive the plot. Plot-heavy stories do not engage me as well as character-driven ones do.
Also, I'm no prude, but gratuitous sex is a turnoff for me. Erotica may contain open-door sexual activity, but that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a central story that comes to a satisfying conclusion.
If you're willing and able to commit to weekly virtual meetings and can stay the course, no matter what, we'll work well together. I do my best to be fair, honest, and kind in my appraisals and suggestions, with the understanding that the work we will do together is for your benefit. I prefer responses to my comments that will help me to better move you toward outcomes that will increase your chances of success.
We are each on a unique writing journey, but I hope that using my knowledge as an editor and my experiences as a published author will help you find your own path.
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- Contemporary
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- New Adult
- Romantic Comedy
- Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
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I love romance, especially romantic comedy and holiday stories. Movies, books, you name it, I've seen it or read it.
I've been in the industry a long time, and I'd like to mentor to share my lessons learned--both in the traditional and indie spaces.
My ideal mentee would have a great sense of humor, a desire to learn, and a willingness to at least listen to feedback (not necessarily make every change). I love to help writers find the best of their voice.
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- Contemporary
- Erotic
- Fantasy
- Futuristic
- Historical
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- Paranormal
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantasy
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I will always pick up a book with a unique premise and atypical main characters, particularly LGBTQ+.
If you only have some of these things, I might still grab it if the skill is evident in clear, engaging writing. I've been reading a lot of characters lately who are just a pile of quirks. Seems many think "giving" some character a quirk or two, or saying they were "burned by the last one," is sufficient groundwork, but the totality of *history* creates the character of today. Show me some thought went into how your character got that way, and we're golden.
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- Contemporary
- Paranormal
- Romantic
- Suspense
- Romantasy
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I'm an easygoing person, so I believe I can work with anyone. I've been a member of RWA for 32 years, so I can provide you with a little experience (lol) to tap into.
I would like to work on a 'clean' manuscript. No POV shifts in the same paragraph (only Nora is Nora), correct manuscript formatting, etc.
I'm looking for the things that should be in a manuscript: voice, characterization, conflict, and plot. But we can work together on all of them to make your story better.
I believe everyone can achieve his/her goals. So, in whatever capacity I'm needed, I'm here to help you do that.
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I love story structure, voice, strong characters, and vivid conflict, and I would love to help you amp those up in your writing. All steam levels from hand-holding to erotic are welcome, as are all romantic pairings (stories with more than two romantic partners are welcome, too, I just have no experience writing them).
I am a historian by day, but don't worry, that doesn't mean I will judge your historical accuracy--it means I can help! Historical fiction set on any continent and in any time period makes my heart sing.
I am happy to work with writers who plan to go indie or traditional (or aren't sure), but my personal experience is all with indie publishing.
Are you willing to dig in and work hard to make your manuscript the best it can be? So am I!
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- Contemporary
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
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I consider myself very fair and open-minded when it comes to life - and romance books! I was first published professionally at 55, so I spent many years trying to perfect my craft - and you know, practice makes perfect, right? LOL
I have been told that I am an excellent writer of dialogue, which I attribute to being a very nosy person. I will talk to anyone about anything, and because of that, I can easily mimic the cadence and speech of people in my writing.
I am also a plotter because of my nursing background, so that tells you I am always organized and have a great understanding of linear writing. Having said that, I truly marvel at the pantsers in the world.
If you are a plotter or a pantser, I would love to work with you to get you to a publishable manuscript.
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- Contemporary
- Historical
- Romantic Comedy
- Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
- Romantasy
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I love multicultural stories where readers learn about other cultures and explore other ethnicities. I also enjoy historical settings, especially medieval England.
If your story features castles, palaces, or royal court settings — count me in. If you're writing a historical piece, I would like to provide my feedback based on your research work. (I'm a history buff).
If your story revolves around traveling, I would love to read it. I am also an art lover, so if your story highlights art (especially Renaissance), I am in.
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- Fantasy
- Historical
- Paranormal
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantasy
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A great romance novel offers the chance to escape the monotony of daily life. I love to laugh, and live for clever phrasing, characters I want to hang out with after the book is finished, and situations/set-ups that are off the beaten path. |
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- Historical
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- Romantasy
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In addition to my 20+-year career as a published author (traditional and indie) I am also a certified book coach, and have worked with dozens of writers over the last five years.
My favorite focus is storytelling and character work. I love the big-picture elements, but I have also designed several online courses that have to do with smaller craft elements.
I am kind but honest. I will not tell you something is wonderful if it's not, but I will always explain why and offer concrete suggestions without writing for you!
Although I am relatively new to the romance genre, I've made a deep study of it, and my series has garnered excellent reviews.
My ideal mentee will be open and accepting, understand that my critique comes from a place of knowledge and experience, but it is still just one person's opinion.
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- Contemporary
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- Paranormal
- Romantic Comedy
- Romantic Suspense
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I have always enjoyed reading suspense and thriller stories. I also enjoy books with some magic or supernatural elements. I want the stories I read to make me suspend disbelief, that keep me guessing and hoping for a positive outcome.
I want stories that will pull me into the world and make me want more. These are all the things I strive for with my own stories, and my goal as a mentor will be to help you get there as well. I will always be upfront and honest with you.
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- Contemporary
- Historical
- Mainstream with Romantic Elements
- New Adult
- Paranormal
- Romantic Suspense
- Romance with Religious or Spiritual Elements
- Young Adult
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I'm open to many different styles and POVs--and while I haven't published historical fiction or romantic suspense, I've edited many manuscripts in those genres, and I'm a member of our Hearts Through History chapter.
Heat levels can vary, although I'm not drawn to hardcore erotica. I'm a more spiritually oriented person than religious, but have edited manuscripts that included a variety of faith communities and paths.
Being a ghostwriter and editor means that I edit with the intention to respect and bring out the author's voice, but not edit it away! I'm sensitive to social issues that can seem controversial to some, including addiction, abortion, divorce, race, same-sex marriage, diverse environments, and so on.
I've coached many people, so I'm honest but uplifting, and I try to highlight writing strengths and turn weaknesses into strengths. This might seem obvious, but I prefer a mentee who is looking to develop a writing career for the long haul. I'm happy to share my experience as a long-term, full-time author.
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