Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorship Program 2015-2016
Frequently Asked Questions
CONTENTS
Program background
Eligibility
Determining your genre category
Preparing your application
Nominating mentors
Assessment process and outcomes
We recommend that you read this document in its entirety before preparing your
application. If you have queries, please check this document carefully before contacting
the ASA on 02 9211 1004.
The Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorship Program
is supported by Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund.
Program background
How many applications do you receive?
We received 362 applications in 2011, 205 in 2012 and 262 in 2013, 242 in 2014
Eligibility
How do you define ‘book’?
A book is a print publication that has an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or
a digital book with an ISBN or a number assigned by the site through which it has been
published, e.g. an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number).
How do you define ‘published’?
Published means printed or produced for distribution and sale. If a work is under
consideration by a publisher or contracted to a publisher but not actually published, it is
considered unpublished.
Why can’t I apply for a mentorship if I’ve already sent my manuscript to a
publisher?
Because the mentorship program is for writers and picture book illustrators whose work
hasn’t reached the point where it is ready to be submitted to a publisher. Also, if a
publisher accepts your manuscript, it puts the mentor in a difficult position where they’re
working with you and your editor – or they’re essentially doing the editor’s work for the
publisher.
If you have been offered a publishing contract from a publisher and you have decided not
to accept it, you will not be eligible to apply for a mentorship. This is because your work
will have already reached a publishable standard.
If I’ve withdrawn my manuscript from a publisher’s submission process, can I
apply for a mentorship?
Yes, but you’ll need to notify the publisher in writing that you are withdrawing your
manuscript from them. Please keep a copy of your withdrawal letter, along with any reply
you receive from the publisher. If you are selected for the mentorship program, you’ll
need to provide copies of your correspondence with the publisher as proof that your
manuscript wasn’t under consideration.
To be eligible, I must not have published a full-length literary work. How do you
define ‘full-length’?
We use Australia Council’s definition of full-length literary works for adults:
 fiction and literary non-fiction of 30,000 words or over, or
 poetry collections of a minimum of 36 pages.
For young adult literature, children’s novels and picture books, we define full-length as:
 a book of 20,000 words or over, or
 a children’s picture book.
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Does that mean I’m still eligible to apply even though I’ve published a 35-page
poetry chapbook, or a novella that’s less than 30,000 words or a children’s novel
that’s less than 20,000 words?
Yes.
What if I’m working on a collection and some of the poems or stories have already
been published individually? Or a novel and an extract has been published? Can I
still apply for a mentorship?
Yes, you can apply for a mentorship. Most poetry and short story collections include
previously published poems and stories as well as new ones. And if you have a
previously published poem, story or extract from a novel, it will probably change before
it appears in a finished collection or novel.
What about children’s educational books? Are they considered literary works?
No. Books created for primary, secondary and tertiary educational purposes (including
children’s books that are purely educational) are not considered literary works.
I’ve published a non-fiction book, but I’m not sure if it is literary non-fiction. How
do you define ‘literary non-fiction’?
We use Australia Council’s definition of literary non-fiction – autobiography, biography,
essays, histories, literary criticism or analytical prose.
Excluded from this definition of ‘literary non-fiction’ are:
 textbooks and other works created for primary, secondary and tertiary educational
purposes
 local and oral histories
 military studies
 instruction manuals, handbooks and how-to guides
 academic theses or course work
 bibliographies, dictionaries and encyclopaedias
 professional reference titles
 travel articles and guides
 self-help, lifestyle, sport and hobby books
 translations
 works of physical or natural sciences, theology, psychology, cooking, medicine or
law
 works in languages other than English.
What if I’ve self-published my manuscript?
Self-published authors who meet Australia Council’s eligibility criteria for a New Work
grant (including the publication quota criteria) are not eligible to apply for a mentorship,
unless they’re working in a new genre.
If your book has distribution in all states and territories or via a website and has at least
one review in an established literary journal, nationally distributed magazine or
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newspaper, or has been reviewed or referenced on mainstream media, you will not be
eligible to apply for a mentorship.
What you do mean by a substantial work-in-progress?
A substantial work-in-progress is one that could eventually be published in book form – a
novel, novella or collection of short stories; a history, biography, autobiography/memoir
or collection of essays; a collection of poetry; a young adult work; a children’s novel,
chapter book or the text for a children’s picture book; or the pictures and text for a
children’s picture book. This list is not exhaustive.
What does ‘one full draft’ mean?
It means that you have a complete first draft with a beginning, a middle and an end. You
may have some gaps in the narrative, or sections that you need to rework, but you
essentially have a completed draft.
Why do I need to have a completed first draft before I can apply?
There are a few reasons. Firstly, the aim of this program is to assist writers in bringing
their work to a publishable standard. If you haven’t finished your first draft yet, it’s
unlikely that working with a mentor will help you reach this aim within the context of the
program.
Secondly, mentorships are excellent ways to get guidance on elements of a manuscript
that are sometimes difficult to address in writing groups or short courses, like structure,
theme and character development. In order to understand if these elements are working in
your manuscript, the mentor will need to read a complete draft.
If you haven’t completed at least one full draft, you should keep working on your
manuscript and consider applying next year. If successful applicants are subsequently
found to have not completed one full draft, they may have their mentorship cancelled.
I have applied for the program before, but was unsuccessful. Can I apply again with
the same work-in-progress?
Yes, of course! We particularly encourage writers and illustrators who have further
developed their work to apply again.
Determining your genre category
I’ve written a verse novel. Should I apply under ‘poetry’ or ‘novel’?
Please apply under the novel category.
I’m not sure whether my picture book should be classed as children’s writing or
picture book illustration (PBI).
If you’re a writer and someone else will illustrate your story, then you should apply in the
children’s writing category. Children’s writing also includes chapter books and novels for
children.
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If you're writing and illustrating the story, you should apply in the picture book
illustration category.
What if I’m illustrating someone else’s text?
If you’re an illustrator working with an author or writer, you should apply in the picture
book illustration category. You should make it clear in your application that you have not
written the text however. You will need to ask the author/writer’s permission to use their
text both in your mentorship application and as the basis of your work-in-progress.
If I’m writing a non-fiction children’s book or picture book, which category should
I apply under?
If you’re the writer but not the illustrator, please apply under the children’s category. If
you’re the illustrator, or the author and illustrator, please apply under the picture book
illustration category.
What if I’m an illustrator working with an author who’s contracted to a publisher?
You are not eligible to apply for the mentorship program if a publisher has approached
you, or contracted you, to illustrate a book they are publishing. However, if an author has
approached you to illustrate a work they have under contract, you may still be eligible to
apply. If you find yourself in this position, please contact the ASA office on 02 9211
1004 to discuss your eligibility.
I’m writing a graphic novel but someone else will illustrate it. Which category
should a enter under? You should enter under the category which is appropriate
to your readership. E.g. if you work is aimed at teenage readers, you should enter it
under YA. If it’s for adults, you should enter it under fiction, or non-fiction,
depending on what you’re writing.
Preparing your application
What will I need to submit?
The guidelines will ask you to submit a 10-page sample of your work-in-progress, a 300word statement and a literary CV. More information about this follows.
Each application must be for one work-in-progress only, and needs to include a separate
entry form, statement and CV. Entry is free for ASA members or $55 per entry for nonmembers. Multiple applications may be posted in the same envelope.
Can I submit more than one application?
Each applicant may submit up to two applications in the same genre. Applicants may
apply in as many genres as they choose.
How should I set out the sample of my work-in-progress?
Your sample should be no more than 10 pages, typed, double-spaced, on single-sided
white A4 paper. Number the pages of your application so we can tell if any pages are
missing. Please don’t submit more than 10-pages, as only the first 10 pages will be
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considered. Any extra pages will be removed from your application before it’s given to
the assessment panel. Don’t waste paper by including cover pages etc, as these will be
removed from your application too.
Poets should submit 8 to 10 poems, in any format (single-spaced, pineapple shaped,
whatever you like), up to 10 pages.
Children’s book writers should set out their work as if it were a short story, even though
it will probably only come to one or two pages. Please don’t write each sentence on a
separate sheet of paper.
Picture book illustrators should submit a story outline or draft or manuscript, a rough
storyboard or dummy for book and a sample of the illustration technique and style you
intend to use. Your storyboard/dummy should show that you have completed a first draft.
Please submit copies of your illustrations, not originals, as your application will not be
returned to you.
Graphic novelists should submit a storyboard and a complete draft of the text plus 4 to 6
sample illustrations.
Does the 10-page sample of my work-in-progress need to be one continuous piece?
The sample doesn’t have to be one continuous piece, but the judges will be interested in
seeing how you develop themes and ideas, – so avoid putting in more than two extracts.
What should my statement cover?
Your 300-word statement needs to provide the assessors with details of:
 the genre of your work and its intended audience (if required)
 its current stage of development i.e. your word count and the number of drafts
you’ve written
 what the story is about
 why a mentorship would be useful to you at this stage of your manuscript’s
development, and what you would work on with your mentor, if you were a
successful applicant.
Should I include a separate synopsis?
No – please include a few sentences in your statement which cover what your story is
about.
What should I include on my literary CV?
You should include a list of your publications, any prizes, awards or fellowships you’ve
received, any writing courses or seminars you’ve attended and relevant professional
memberships. You don’t need to include any information that doesn’t relate to writing.
If you’ve nothing to put on your literary CV then just write ‘Nil’, so we know you
haven’t just forgotten to include a CV.
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Should I put my name on each page of my application, including the sample of my
work?
You can include your name on the sample of your work, but it doesn’t matter if you
don’t. The judges will receive your full application – your literary CV, statement, and the
sample of your work-in-progress.
Can I include a letter of support from a publisher/a manuscript appraisal?
No. Your application will be assessed on your project description and the 10-page sample
of your work. Any other material will be removed before the judges see it. If you’ve
received feedback from a publisher or editor, you might like to use this information to
explain what you’d like to achieve through the mentorship program.
If I’m an illustrator, can I submit just pictures?
You need to submit a story to go with the pictures as well. It can be a draft, an outline or
just an idea, but it has to be a story. The mentorship program aims to assist illustrators to
develop a publishable picture book, rather than just a portfolio of illustrations.
How should I submit my application?
We can only accept hard copy applications. Applications must be post-marked on or by
the closing date in order to be considered. We cannot accept applications which have
been faxed or emailed.
Please do not use plastic folders, binders, or sheet protectors. If your application is
successful, we’ll need to photocopy it. If it’s unsuccessful, we’ll recycle the paper
securely. Either way, we’ll need to remove any plastic and it will end up as landfill.
Please use a single bulldog clip to hold your application together, not a paperclip, as these
tend to fall off or get tangled with other applications. If you’re sending a cheque, please
secure it to the front of your submission with the bulldog clip, so that it doesn’t go
missing. The ASA will not be responsible for lost cheques that have not been properly
secured to their applications.
My work-in-progress is a cross-platform project with digital components. Can I
submit materials electronically?
If your project has digital components that can only be accessed via a computer then yes,
you can submit them on a USB or disc. Do not email them! Include your USB/disc with
your hard copy entry form, 300-word statement and CV. Make sure you label your
USB/disc with your name, so we know which application it belongs to.
Nominating mentors
How do I decide which mentors to nominate?
Consider what you’re hoping to achieve through the mentorship program and try to find a
mentor on the list that specialises in that area. For example, if you find structure difficult,
look for a mentor who particularly enjoys working on structure.
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Have a look at the mentor’s list of publications/editing projects to find out what their
interests are. Visit their website if they have one. Consider how you prefer to work. If
you like working face-to-face, try to find someone who lives in the same area as you.
Remember that if you’re successful, you’ll have the opportunity to reconsider your list of
preferences.
Should I ask a mentor from your list if they would like to work with me before I
nominate them?
No, please don’t approach mentors from our list unless you know them personally. If
your application is successful we’ll contact you to discuss your mentor preferences and
then contact your first choice.
I want to nominate a mentor who isn’t on your list. Should I approach them first to
see if they’d like to work with me?
You could mention it if you know them personally, otherwise best not to. First, the
mentorship program is very competitive and your application may not be successful.
Second, for whatever reason, the mentor may just not relate to your work and it puts them
in a difficult position if you’ve approached them directly and they (or you!) later decide
that they’re not the best mentor for you.
Assessment process and outcomes
How do the judges assess literary merit?
Judges consider the applicant’s writing ability, focusing on style, appropriateness of
form, skilled use of language, clarity of expression and sustained development of themes
or ideas.
What happens if my application is successful?
We’ll contact you to check your mentor preferences and then contact your first choice. If
they are available, we’ll send them a copy of your application – the description of your
writing project and what you would like to achieve from the mentorship, the sample of
your work and your literary CV. We don’t send them a copy of your entry form. If
they’re interested, we’ll arrange for the two of you to have a preliminary discussion about
the mentorship – what you want to achieve, what they see as their role, and how the two
of you would work together. After that discussion, either of you can opt out. If you’re
both happy to proceed independently, we’ll send out the paperwork and the mentorship
can begin.
If I’m successful and working on a co-authored project, will my mentor work with
my co-author?
No, the mentorship is for you as the successful applicant. Your co-author is welcome to
apply to the program, if they meet the criteria.
If my application is unsuccessful, can you help me arrange a private mentorship
with one of the mentors on your list?
Yes. The ASA offers a Paid Mentorship Program, which may be taken at any time of the
year. You can decide how many hours you’d like to spend working with your mentor.
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The mentors’ registers are the same for both programs. For information about costs and
how to apply, please see https://www.asauthors.org/paid-mentorships
Thank you for your interest in the ASA’s Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorship
Program. If you have any other questions, please contact Jane Coulcher
jane@asauthors.org.
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