The Book Links Mentorship is open to all member of Book Links residing in Australia.
Applicants are invited to submit a synopsis and the first two chapters or first 6000 words of a work of fiction for junior fiction, middle-grade or YA readers, or two picture book manuscripts.

2024 Entry information

The mentorship will provide the winner with the opportunity to develop their early draft manuscript to a publishable standard with a professional mentor. Applications are assessed on literary and artistic merit and developmental potential.

• The mentorship is valued at $1000.

• The mentor is Dr. Robyn Sheahan-Bright.

Additional offer

This year we are offering some extra support to some of the shortlisted authors. Dave Lowe will offer a 90-min session (either face-to-face or over Zoom) to all the JF / MG shortlisted books (not including the winner, if a JF/MG wins).  This will be limited to the first three chapters / 6,000 words of the manuscript.

Eligibility

• You must have a completed manuscript which is not under consideration by any publishers.
• Open to current financial members of Book Links Qld Inc.  If you are not a member and would like to join,  click here for 2024 membership.
• Writers are eligible to apply who have not yet published in book form, or who have published no more than two manuscripts via traditional publication (does not include indie-published).
• We also accept applications from those who may have books published in one genre e.g. picture books, but now wish to publish junior fiction, middle grade or YA and feel a mentorship would support this change in direction.

How to apply

• Pay the $25 application fee via Trybooking (+ .50c booking fee) APPLY HERE through Trybooking
• Entry closes 26 July 2024
• Submit your work via email as per the submission instructions below

How to submit

Please submit the following in a single pdf or Word document, via email to mentorship@booklinks.org.au with the Subject line MENTORSHIP2024

A synopsis and the first two chapters or the first 6000 words of a work of fiction for either junior or YA readers, or 2 picture book manuscripts.

Include a cover page with Full name, address, phone number, email address, Trybooking ID (Found on the booking confirmation page)

Applications must be received by 11pm, 26 July

A shortlist will be published prior to the winner being announced at the Book Links StoryArts Brisbane Conference (BSAB) on Saturday 19 October. Following the announcement, the mentor, Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright will read the entire work(s) written by the successful applicant and write an appraisal. She will engage with the applicant by phone, email or face-to-face for approximately 12 hours in order to offer advice regarding the development of the manuscript. She will offer advice not only on the manuscript but also on publishing prospects and avenues.

The Mentors

Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright AM has operated justified text writing and publishing consultancy services since 1997, and is widely published in children’s literature, Australian fiction and publishing history. She has judged literary awards, mentored and offered editorial advice to writers, lectured in writing and publishing courses, and assessed post-graduate creative writing theses for several universities. She writes both teachers’ notes and reading group notes for major publishers. She was inaugural director of and is a Life Member of the Queensland Writers’ Centre, and was co-founder of Jam Roll Press. Her publications include Paper Empires: A History of the Book in Australia (1946–2005) (2006) co-edited with Craig Munro. She is President of IBBY Australia Inc, and Deputy-Chair of the Board of the Australian Children’s Laureate Foundation. She was recipient of the CBCA (Qld)’s Dame Annabelle Rankin Award in 2011, CBCA’s Nan Chauncy Award in 2012, and of the QWC’s Johnno Award in 2014. In 2021, she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Dave Lowe is the author of 13 books, published in seven translations around the world, including his ‘Stinky and Jinks’ series about a boy and his genius hamster, and the award-winning ‘Incredible Dadventure’ series. Dave’s latest two books are Rocket, about a 12-year-old girl who dreams of playing for the Matildas, and Pixies vs Fairies, the first in a new series with Welbeck, aimed at younger readers. Dave has written four plays and is also a writer for the TV series ‘Bluey’.