Writing Mentors and Book Coaches
Find your writing mentor today
Work one-on-one with expert writing mentors & book coaches
We know life gets busy, and finding time to write can be tough. That’s why our team of experienced mentors—accomplished authors across various genres and publishing professionals—are here to help you.
Dedicated to helping you find your unique voice, our mentors have graced bestseller lists and guided hundreds of writers. With most based in the UK, and others in the USA and Australia, we’re able to support you across time zones, whenever and wherever you need it. Our mentors provide clear, actionable advice with warmth and encouragement.
How mentoring works
We’ll match you with a mentor who’s the perfect fit for your needs—no awkward blind dates here, we promise!
Depending on the package you choose, your mentor will dive into your work with the right level of support, whether it’s a one-off power session or ongoing guidance. While most of our writers are at the work-in-progress (WIP) stage, we’re also here for those needing help with submission packs, book proposals, or navigating the querying process.
Expect calls or video chats filled with good vibes, real-time advice, and no robots in sight! You’ll receive honest, constructive feedback (the kind that helps you grow, not break down) and practical tips to keep your project moving forward.
What our writing mentors offer you
One-to-one attention
Accountability
Work with a genre specialist
Work at your own pace
Increased motivation
Flexible scheduling
Flexible packages to suit your needs
Our mentoring service is like a choose-your-own-adventure for writers. Pick a package that fits your needs, and use your hours however you like. Each package includes your mentor’s reading, editing, and any calls or video chats. Note: Mentors generally won’t read your entire manuscript—if you need that, check out our Manuscript Assessment or Developmental Edit.
Find your writing mentor
At Jericho Writers, we’re a team of authors, just like you. Four of us are published by the Big 5, while others are deep in the writing process, honing our craft alongside the writers we support. We work with expert book coaches and carefully chosen mentors, selected for their ability to guide writers through every stage of their journey. It’s this approach that has helped countless authors launch their careers, sign with top literary agents, and even become Sunday Times Bestsellers.
Why writers trust our mentoring
Our mentoring program is like a GPS for your writing journey—helping you navigate the twists and turns toward success. Writers have gone from “just an idea” to “published author” and even landed spots on the Booker Prize longlist. But the real win? Realising the world needs your story (because, let’s face it, who else can tell it like you?).
Apply for mentoring
To apply for our Mentoring Service, you will need the following information ready:
- Your Writing Background and Ambitions: Briefly share your writing experience and goals.
- Project Summary: Describe your project, including title, genre, and progress.
- Writing Sample: Submit up to 1,500 words
- Desired Mentoring Hours: Choose between 10, 20, 30, or a shorter block of 1-9 hours.
- Mentoring Objectives: Explain what you aim to achieve.
- Preferred Mentor: Select a mentor based on their expertise. Unsure who to choose? Explore our mentors’ areas of expertise here.
No pressure—filling out the form doesn’t commit you to anything. We’re just here to make sure our Mentoring Service is the right fit for you and your writing adventure!
Frequently asked
questions
Which genres are accepted?
We work with mentors who have experience across the full range of fiction and non-fiction genres—basically, if you can write it, we can mentor it!
How far along do I need to be to work with a mentor?
You can be at any stage of your writing journey. Whether you’re just starting out with a fresh idea or you’ve already completed a manuscript, our mentoring service is here to support you and help you take the next step—wherever you are in the process. Although our Mentoring Service is bespoke to you and your needs, generally, it’s worth noting that mentors typically won’t read an entire manuscript. This is because there might not be enough time for your mentor to read your entire manuscript and offer feedback/guidance. If you are interested in receiving a written editorial report on your entire manuscript, you might want to consider our Editorial Services such as a Manuscript Assessment or Developmental Edit.
Where is this service available?
Our mentoring service is available to writers worldwide. While many of our mentors are based in the UK, we also have mentors located across the globe. No matter where you are, we’re here to offer support and guidance to help you with your writing.
Which mentors do you work with?
We work with a team of award-winning authors and publishing industry professionals, each with decades of mentoring experience and a knack for turning good writers into great ones. They’ve been hand-picked for their expertise, quality, and—let’s be honest—because they’re awesome.
How much does one-to-one mentoring cost?
The cost depends on the mentor and how many hours you need. We’ll discuss your specific needs upfront, including calls, editing, or feedback, and confirm pricing before moving forward. Get in Touch with us directly and we’ll tailor a quote just for you. Let’s make your writing shine!
How will I get editorial changes returned to me?
You’ll work directly with your mentor online, and they’ll send any editorial changes back to you through email or shared documents. It’s all seamless, so you can focus on improving your work without any hassle.
How does it fit around my work-life?
The mentoring process is super flexible! You and your mentor can discuss a schedule that works around your other commitments, so you can get the support you need without the stress. We make it work for you.
What if my work needs more attention than this service offers?
In that situation, we’ll tell you. You’ll fill in an application page before you start, so we know you’re ready for all that mentoring brings you.
Will my editor respect my own personal style and voice?
Yes. That’s very important to us. As writers ourselves, we know that we can’t just impose a house style on your prose and expect that to be okay.
What if I don’t agree with the changes?
If there are areas your mentor think need changes, it’s up to you to make up your own mind. It’s about your decisions, not your mentor’s.
Will my mentor read my full manuscript?
Although our Mentoring Service is bespoke to you and your needs, generally, our mentors won’t read your entire manuscript. This is because there might not be enough time for your mentor to read your entire manuscript and offer feedback/guidance. If you are interested in receiving a written editorial report on your entire manuscript, you might want to consider our Editorial Services such as a Manuscript Assessment or Developmental Edit.
Will my mentoring hours expire?
Each mentoring purchase is subject to an expiry date, to ensure you use the hours within a timely manner to make the most of your mentoring.
Please see the limits assigned to each order below:
- 10 hours or less: All the hours need to be used in 12 months or less.
- 11-20 hours: All the hours need to be used in 18 months or less.
- 21-30 hours: All the hours need to be used in 24 months or less.
If, at the end of the allotted time, you fail to use all your purchased hours, the remaining hours will expire and be non-refundable.
Any extensions to these expiry dates will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and we will only grant these extensions with your mentor’s approval.
To request an extension, you should send a written request to both your mentor and Jericho Writers (mentoring@jerichowriters.com).
Can I book less than 10 hours of mentoring?
Absolutely! We recognise that our mentoring applicants have all kinds of requirements, and offer a flexible booking service to accommodate this. This is perfect for writers that wish to pay as they go per hour, or those that have smaller-scale mentoring requests (for example, a couple of hours to work on a synopsis). Simply select the number of hours you’re looking for on your application. If you’re unsure how many hours you might need, we also offer a ‘Not Sure’ option on the form – just select that, and we’ll be happy to recommend what would work best based on your needs.
How do I choose my mentor?
In your application, you’ll be able to select a preferred mentor. We recommend looking at the genres that our mentors specialise in, and seeing if any of their profiles especially resonate with you. If you’re not sure, that’s no problem! You can select ‘No preferred mentor’, and our team will match you with our top choice for your project.
How are my hours tracked?
As mentoring is a fully bespoke service, by booking, for example, 10 hours with your mentor, you’ll be booking 10 hours to work with them. This means that any time it takes for your mentor to read and review your work will be deducted. Our mentors keep a time sheet to ensure that you receive the full amount of hours you’ve booked in for. If you’d ever like to ask how long it will take to read a section of your work, or for an update on your remaining hours, your mentor will happily let you know!
I’m not sure how to spend my time with my mentor?
If you’re interested in booking a larger block of mentoring, such as 10 hours, you can discuss this with your mentor ahead of time. This could be as structured as an ‘action plan’ with regular meetings, or as flexible as a simple agreement that you’ll check in with your mentor as and when you meet hurdles in your writing. Otherwise, if you’re interested in booking only a couple of hours, feel free to email mentoring@jerichowriters.com, and we’ll advise you on how mentoring could work for you.