Book Links Mentorship 2023
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 either junior or YA readers, or two picture book manuscripts.
The winner of the Book Links mentorship was announced at the Book Links AGM on Saturday 7 October 2023 by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright who reported that “This year an increased number of entries were submitted and the standard was consistently high. Junior Fiction, in particular, was difficult to judge given the calibre of the manuscripts. I produced a longlist and then a shortlist from which the winner was selected.”
The Winner is Bethany Loveridge for The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
After being told that she was the winner, Bethany sent in this response:
“Isn’t it amazing how these things come when you most need encouragement? I couldn’t make the AGM last weekend, where the 2023 Book Links Mentorship was being announced, but I was actively checking social media for updates. When I hadn’t heard or seen anything by 1pm, I sadly put my phone aside. Take a big breath, Betty. Onwards. Five minutes later, I got a text from Zewlan Moor, saying I’d won! I was surprised and then very thrilled to confirm with several other Write Linkers that I did indeed win (I was 97% sure Zewlan wouldn’t prank me). I’m still feeling elated, nearly a week on. Winning the Mentorship means I’m okay at writing. Maybe even very good at writing if they were being honest about the quality of submissions this year. This is fabulous news, as writing is my all-time favourite thing. I’m excited to be guided by Dr Robyn Sheahan-Bright to work on my junior fiction project. I’ve got some curly publishing questions, a head full of ideas and a big dream to chase, so I hope she’s ready for me. Thanks again to Book Links and the incomparable Jenny Stubbs for a wonderful opportunity!”
We wish you the best with this mentorship and hope it helps you on the way to publication.
:
The Shortlist for the Book Links mentorship (in alphabetical order) is:
Debra Hudson Fox Finch and the Pet Pampering Salon (JF)
Bethany Loveridge The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
Jemima Parker What’s for Breakfast? (PB)
Allison Rocca The Little People of Woogaroo Creek (JF)
Ali Rutstein Fred and Dog – A Tale of Friendship, Adventure and Chocolate (JF)
Jemima Shafei-Ongu Zaatar (PB)
The Longlist for the Book Links mentorship (in alphabetical order) is:
Jenny Catalano: Leaving Motherland (PB)
Norah Colvin: Grandpa’s Toolshed (PB)
Margaret Gibbs: This is the House (PB)
Debra Hudson: Fox Finch and the Pet Pampering Salon (JF)
Bethany Loveridge: The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
Alison McCaffery: Theo-Dino (PB)
Liane McDermott: Where Strangers Hide (JF)
Jemima Parker: A Cloud for Cleo (PB) and What’s for Breakfast? (PB)
Allison Rocca: The Little People of Woogaroo Creek (JF)
Ali Rutstein: Fred and Dog – A Tale of Friendship, Adventure and Chocolate (JF)
Jemima Shafei-Ongu: Zaatar (PB)
Marianna Shek: Love in the Age of Time Travel (YA)
Steve Tyrrell: Ten Pound Pommy Kid (JF)
From the Shortlist, I selected a Winner:
WINNER: Bethany Loveridge The Mega Division: Joey Macropod (JF)
This is the first story in an adventurous chapter book series for 6+ readers. When a Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat called Ursula shows up in 8-year-old Joey’s backyard, Joey hopes her lifelong wish for a pet has finally been granted. But what comes next is a real surprise! This third person narrative is introduced and interspersed with comments by a mysterious narrator speaking directly to the reader. Based on environmental themes, it has undoubted appeal to middle grade readers, and this fast-paced and nuanced writing indicates a very gifted and original author to be nurtured and encouraged further.
I congratulate Book Links (QLD) for their on-going encouragement of emerging writers via this program, and thank you for once again inviting me to judge and mentor. Robyn Sheahan-Bright
