All Stories mentors underrepresented writers
Posted on Friday, September 3, 2021
Category: News
All Stories, a mentorship programme for underrepresented children's book writers, has announced its first cohort of mentees
A group of 14 aspiring authors who cannot afford to pay for editorial support will receive mentorships from expert editors, as part of an All Stories programme funded by Arts Council England and ALCS.
The inaugural group of writers (pictured) are from a range of underrepresented backgrounds, including BAME,
LGBTQ, living with a disability and socio-economically marginalised. Their work covers a range of age groups and genres, including picture books, comedies, middle grade mysteries and YA thrillers - often inspired by their own background.
Each writer will be mentored for six months by a freelance editor, starting this month. The writers will attend webinars by top in-house editors on topics including voice and accessing the industry as an underrepresented writer. They will also receive a year's membership to SCBWI.
The writers and their mentors are: Melissa Abraham (picture books), mentored by Jon Appleton; Dawn Amesbury (middle grade), mentored by Jon Appleton; Tracy Curran (picture books), mentored by Natascha Biebow; Jo Dearden (picture books), mentored by Helen Mortimer; Alison Dunne (middle grade), mentored by Jenny Glencross; Hannah Ekekwe (young adult), mentored by Genevieve Herr; Rebecca Ferrier (young adult), mentored by Tilda Johnson; Ikuko Ishiwaki (picture books), mentored by Niamh Mulvey; Suad Kamardeen (young adult), mentored by Emma Roberts; Mitchell Kamen (middle grade), mentored by Lucy Rogers; Lily Kerfoot (middle grade), mentored by Sara Grant; Reba Khatun (middle grade), mentored by Kathy Webb; Tasmia Tahia (young adult), mentored by Nicki Marshall; Thomas Thomasson (middle grade), mentored by Catherine Coe.
All Stories' founder, children's book editor Catherine Coe, said: "The industry reaction to the launch of All Stories in March was incredible - huge thanks to everyone who has supported it. My hope is that the programme helps to break down long-held barriers of privilege and background in the industry, improving the diversity of authors and representation in books for young readers."
Author and patron Patrice Lawrence said, "The quality of entries was so high, such a strong reminder of how many talented writers just need that little bit of extra support to help them into publishing. Congratulations to everyone!"
