Do You Need A Writing Mentor?

Filed under Get Published, Improve your book.

Did you know BubbleCow provides writing mentors? No? Well, Ok we do…

I just wanted to get that out of the way before talking about mentors. This post is not about our services, instead I wanted to share some of our advice as mentors, together with the feedback we have had from writers who have been through our program.

So feel free to ignore the bits about BubbleCow and take away the non-partisan advice!

The last few years have seen a plethora of authors popping up and offering mentoring services to writers looking to get published. As with everything else it is up to the writer to look behind the flashy offers to see the real value – if any!

What Is A Writing Mentor

A writing mentor is a person who will work closely with a writer to advise them on their book and future career. As a rule of thumb, mentors should be published and experienced authors with a huge knowledge of the industry. This is just a starting point, the best mentors have two additional factors. The first is that they can teach and the second is that they can edit.

Being a writing mentor is much more than reading over someone’s work and providing comments. It is an intense, long term relationship that will, ultimately, benefit both the writer and the mentor. A writer should be looking for a partner who will listen carefully when they have problems, advice openly and honestly, whilst carefully improving the writer’s skill and craft as they progress.

Is A Writing Mentor Suitable For You?

Writing mentors are not cheap! For example, our service will cost a writer just over £1200 and we consider ourselves to offer the best value for money on the market. But, money aside (if that is even possible), not every writer is ready for a mentor. We have a policy of talking with a writer and seeing their work before agreeing to work with them – why?

Because we need to be sure we can add value.

A writer should be very wary of any potential mentor that is promising a route to publication – this is just dangerous nonsense. The only person that can offer that kind of promise is a publisher. Not even an agent will promise they can place your book!

As a writer you should not consider a mentor unless you can answer YES to these three questions:

  • Is producing a published book your burning desire?
  • Can you absorb and learn from brutally honest feedback?
  • Are you prepared to emotionally commit to getting your book published?

How To Pick A Writing Mentor

Picking a mentor should be a carefully considered process. Though it is not essential that the mentor is published in your particular genre, the mentor needs to at least have a working knowledge of the genre. You should check out the mentor’s credentials – are they as impressive as they seem? Who published their books and how well do they know the industry?

Then, look closely at the structure of the mentoring package. Is it well defined? Is it clear what you are going to get for your money? Is it value for money? Does it fit your needs? Will it help you fulfil your writing goals? Will it add value to your writing?

As a parting comment, I would like to say that a writing mentor can be a life changing moment in an unpublished writer’s career. They can provide invaluable support and advice. However, I urge you to think carefully before taking the plunge.

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  • Sarah Callejo

    I guess it would be like having private classes so the expense is justified. However, I don’t know how a mentor works, but wouldn’t he/she be moulding the book to his/her own taste? And wouldn’t it be more advisable to find a mentor who specializes in your own genre, the same way that you’ll seek a reader who favours the genre you’re writing?
    Having been published will give the mentor insight about the editing/agent process, but knowing the ropes doesn’t always mean they know how to teach them. (We’re back to all the writing advice/rules). It must be difficult to choose one, but also worthwhile when you find the right one.

    • garysmailes

      A good mentor will work hard to keep their views away from your book. Their job is, in the first instance, technical. It is all about plot and structure. Since your work comes to a mentor almost fully formed, the hope this that any advice builds on the writing.

      In respect to genre I don’t think it is that vital. Clearly, if the mentor has zero experience in your genre then they will probably not be right for you, but it is all down to goals. Mentors are not providing plot ideas etc. They are offering guidance in how to make the best of what you have. They may suggest their own ideas, or direct you towards writer’s you have not read, but on the whole the ‘rules of writing’ are pretty much the same for most similar genres.

  • Sarah Callejo

    I guess it would be like having private classes so the expense is justified. However, I don't know how a mentor works, but wouldn't he/she be moulding the book to his/her own taste? And wouldn't it be more advisable to find a mentor who specializes in your own genre, the same way that you'll seek a reader who favours the genre you're writing?
    Having been published will give the mentor insight about the editing/agent process, but knowing the ropes doesn't always mean they know how to teach them. (We're back to all the writing advice/rules). It must be difficult to choose one, but also worthwhile when you find the right one.

  • garysmailes

    A good mentor will work hard to keep their views away from your book. Their job is, in the first instance, technical. It is all about plot and structure. Since your work comes to a mentor almost fully formed, the hope this that any advice builds on the writing.

    In respect to genre I don't think it is that vital. Clearly, if the mentor has zero experience in your genre then they will probably not be right for you, but it is all down to goals. Mentors are not providing plot ideas etc. They are offering guidance in how to make the best of what you have. They may suggest their own ideas, or direct you towards writer's you have not read, but on the whole the 'rules of writing' are pretty much the same for most similar genres.