Develop writing craft, receive critique on your work from peers and kid readers, pitch your manuscript to agents, and learn from and network with industry experts through monthly workshops, webinars, and chats. Most importantly, foster life-long friendships with fellow writers.
Become a member of WriteMentor’s Community Learning Hub, an online platform for children’s writers at any stage of their writing and publishing journey. Open internationally!
Monthly Hub Schedule
First week of the month: Pitching contest
Pitch your book to a literary agent who is on the lookout for new, exciting stories. By the end of the month, winners are announced and general feedback shared from the guest agent. In the lead up to the pitching contest, share your pitch with fellow Hub writers to receive informal feedback, and offer your own.
Last week of the month: Agent Q&A
The guest agent for the following month pitching contest shares their advice, insights, and industry knowledge in an interactive, one-hour Q&A. Ask general questions to an industry insider about writing and publishing, gain advice on your writing projects, and find out more about the agent and their wish list in preparation to pitch to them.
First Monday of the month at 8pm: Writing catch-up with author Melissa Welliver
Catch up with author Melissa Welliver and your writing pals while we celebrate the highs and commiserate the lows of publishing – because writing can be lonely, but it doesn’t need to be! All done remotely over zoom so you can join in from the comfort of your sofa.
First Tuesday of the month at 7pm: Young Adult chat with author Melinda Salisbury
Join bestselling Young Adult author Melinda Salisbury every month for an hour of conversation about all things Young Adult. From general writing advice, focus on the latest publishing trends and insider info, how to choose comp titles, crafting log lines and synopses, to how to pitch to agents and connecting with fellow authors – we cover it all! Recording for the first 45 minutes for Hub members to catch up on, the last 15 minutes of each chat is unrecorded, offering the chance to talk off the record about your publishing and writing questions.
Second Tuesday of the month at 7pm: Picture Book chat with author Rachael Davis-Featherstone
An informal monthly chat for writers at all stages of their picture book writing journey hosted by Rachael Davis-Featherstone. Sessions typically start will a round-up of how the previous month has been, celebrating highs and offering support for the lows followed by a discussion on a picture book topic. Members can suggest topics and we’ve covered everything from structure, to rhyming schemes, query letters and book fairs. The second half of the session is not recorded and may include workshopping members stories.
Second Thursday of the month at 7:30pm: Middle Grade chat with author Vashti Hardy
A monthly session with Hub members to talk about Middle Grade writing craft and writing life in general with host Vashti Hardy – it’s very much a dialogue with flexible topics, where the Hub community can ask questions about aspects of the craft, or bounce around any specific story issues in a supportive environment. There’s always fruitful learning!
Writer’s toolkit
Expand your writer’s toolkit via a one-hour interactive workshop and Q&A covering a wide range of writing and publishing topics, from marketing your book to managing your income.
Further membership benefits
Modules on writing craft, from initial ideas to post-publication
From that very first spark of an idea, to building up a career and a living as a published writer, we have dynamic and interactive modules that cover a broad range of writing craft and publishing insights – and we continue to add resources to this clear, continuous pathway for your writing development. These resources include content from top published authors including: Alex Sheppard, Aisha Bushby, Catherine Emmett, Clare Helen Welsh, Emma Read, Lauren James, Lindsay Galvin, Liz Flanagan, Marisa Noelle, Maz Evans, Melinda Salisbury, Simon James Green and agent/author Chloe Seager. All the modules are on this website and are accessible when logged in with a Level 1 or 2 membership.
Supportive critique groups
These will follow the WriteMentor guidelines, which will be distributed and applied at all critique group meetings. You will be split into a critique group channel on Slack where you can post extracts, return feedback and arrange meeting times to host the Zoom feedback session (once a month).
Q&As with industry experts
Ask industry professionals about life behind-the-scenes in the publishing world. Guests include editors, publishers, illustrators, booksellers, publicists, and more.
Weekly writing sprints
Everyday author Melissa Welliver, our Community Manager, hosts a fun and accessible writing sprint, with word count accountability as an option.
Monthly community catch-up
Author Melissa Welliver, our Community Manager, hosts monthly Zoom sessions where you can pop in and have a chat about how things are going with your writing, or anything else you’d like to chat about. As a published author, and with much experience of the writing journey, she will be able to offer you a shoulder to cry, or motivate you to keep going, or answer any questions or worries you have, as well as just being there to listen to you all and how your writing week has gone.
Community beta reading
Find a beta reader among fellow Hub members who can give feedback on your writing.
Writing conferences
Members-only conferences focused on children’s writing, for example, 2022 Picture Book and Novel weekends, where guest authors and industry professionals lead talks, workshops, and panels.
Face-to-face meet-ups
Join online groups organised by regions to facilitate real-life meet-ups with fellow writers in your area.
Support channels
Join Hub groups to gain support, encouragement and advice in various areas of children’s writing and publishing: Advice: Ask for general advice about writing and publishing. Traditional publishing: Get advice and support on the publishing process, particularly for already agented or traditionally published authors needing help with the next steps. Self publishing: Find out more about the process of self publishing your book. Celebrations: Celebrate your writing successes and those of fellow Hub members, big or small. Competitions and opportunities: Discover the latest competitions and opportunities in the children’s writing world. Goal setting: Set yourself monthly goals to keep yourself accountable.line groups organised by regions to help facilitate real-life meet-ups with fellow writers in your area.
Over 50 hours of video content…and counting!
Every month, Hub members can access live events included in their membership, from Q&As with agents and editors to workshops on writing tools. These events run at different times during the week to enable our members across different time zones to attend.
All events are recorded and uploaded to our video archive, which Hub members can rewatch whenever they want. We don’t want our new members to miss out – when you join, gain instant access to over 40 hours of video content, listed below.
Spot an event below you want to watch? Join the Hub to access our video archive.
Q&As with published authors
Manjeet Mann
Alexandra Page
Holly Bourne
LD Lapinski
Catherine Doyle
Hannah Gold
Aisha Bushby
Rachael Davis
Q&As with agent and editors
Chloe Davis, Darley Anderson agent
Tegen Evans, Nosy Crow senior editor
Bella Pearson, Guppy Books founder
Callen Martin, Bell Lomax Moreton agent
Hannah Sheppard, HS-LA agent
Industry insights
‘Insights from a bookseller’ with The Children’s Bookshop owner Sanchita Basu De Sarkar
‘Understanding BookTube’ with author Amy Mccaw
‘The work of literary scouts’ with Netflix Creative Developer Clara Oeyen
‘Running a book blog’ with author Jo Clarke
‘Insights from a publisher’ with Guppy Books founder Bella Pearson
‘Creative writing & craft workshops’ with author Eve McDonnell
‘The work of a cover designer’ with illustrator Ness Wood
‘Running author PR campaigns’ with marketer & publicist Liz Binks
‘Understanding BookTok’ with author Rosie Talbot
Writer’s toolkit
‘How to use Canva’
‘Newsletters as a marketing tool’
‘Pros and cons of working with a small publisher’
‘How to stand out in competitions’
‘Writer mental health and wellbeing’
‘How to write short stories’
‘Managing an author income’
‘Theatre techniques in storytelling’
‘Using social media’
‘Preparing for a debut’
‘Starting a writing business’
‘Public speaking skills’
‘Marketing & publicity tips’
One-off events
Chapter Book workshop with author Emma Finlayson-Palmer
Book Process, maps and many, many drafts!
Justin Davies: Book Club May 2022
Ideas workshop
Plotting workshop
Hub success stories
Hub member Arden Jones is represented by Molly Jamieson of United Agents
Hub member Melissa Kay Valente is represented by Alice Williams Literary
Hub member Aerin Apeltun’s The Amethyst Talisman is published by SmashBear Publishing
Hub member Jessica Mae Shelley is represented by Madeleine Milburn Agency
Hub member Nazima Pathan’s book Dream Hunters is acquired by Simon & Schuster.
Hub member Caroline Murphy is represented by Rachel Petty at The Blair Partnership
Hub member Zoe Arena is represented by The Catchpole Agency
Hub member Kristina Rahim is represented by Silvia Molteni of Peters Fraser + Dunlop
Hub member Becky Wilson is now represented by Rachel Mann of Jo Unwin Literary Agency
Hear from our Hub writers…
“I love the Hub. It’s a great community. Supportive and inspiring. The events are great – the workshops are an incredible gift. Highly recommend being a member.”
“Finding WriteMentor has been a revelation to me. The Hub opens many doors and friendships I never had before. The Hub offers an excellent variety of courses and the monthly cost is outstanding value. I don’t know if the team at WriteMentor realise how fantastic they are. They are like fabulous fairy godmothers and fathers, sprinkling magic and making dreams come true every day.”
Michelle R.
“The Hub is a wealth of amazing resources. I’ve learned from craft webinars and had my work critiqued by Writers in Residence. My pitch was been sent to an agent who gave feedback on what worked well. Plus the regular writing sprints have encouraged progress on a new book. All this and a fantastic community of writers to share the writing journey with.”
Marie D.
“The WriteMentor Hub has become an indispensable addition to my writing toolkit. Packed with enthusiasm, knowledge, experience and wisdom, it inspires and encourages me daily.”
Ian J.
“WriteMentor offers so many incredible opportunities to writers at all stages of their journey. Support, advice, education, fun and much much more! A true virtual community.”
Tara P.
“The WriteMentor Hub is such a warm, friendly and supportive place to be, with lots of opportunities to connect and learn from each other, as well as from industry experts. There’s so much going on you feel spoilt for choice.”
Elizabeth F.
“The WriteMentor Community Hub is one of the best resources out there for writers, no matter where you are on your journey. I would be lost without the support and camaraderie of the Hub, and I’m so grateful to the team and community!”
Vicki M.
“The WriteMentor Learning Community Hub provides a wealth of craft and industry advice. I’ve also found it to be an incredibly kind community of people keen to help and support others at every stage of their writing journey.”
Alex A.
“The WriteMentor Hub has been an invaluable aid to my writing and wellbeing. Being able to connect with a community of writers and have access to learning opportunities without having to leave my house has been a life changer as a chronically ill disabled writer who is housebound much of the time. Thank you for helping me feel part of life and a wonderful community.”
Katina W.
“The Writementor hub supports writers at ever stage of their writing journey and there is something for everyone. I can dip in and out of modules as and when I need to and there is always lots of support, advice and encouragement from the whole community.”
Jenny C.
“WriteMentor is the most inspiring, exciting, useful, friendly, supportive and KIND community for writers there is – I would be lost without it!”
Claire L.
The WriteMentor Hub is the perfect forum to make connections, to ask for help and give guidance. It’s an incredibly supportive community.
Tracy B.