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AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program

The AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program matches emerging writers and published authors for a three-month series of modules on topics such as craft, revision, publishing, and the writing life. Mentors volunteer their time for this program. Potential Writer to Writer mentees must be members of AWP, but it is free to apply to and participate in the program.

Note for new members: If you purchase a new membership just before applying, be sure to log out of our submission portal by clicking Log Out on the left-hand nav, and then log back in using your AWP credentials, in order to give the system a chance to reset and update your membership status accordingly. Reach out to programs@awpwriter.org with any questions.

Mentees

Mentee applications for Season 22 will be open July 1–31, 2025; the session will take place September 15–December 5, 2025.

The AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program is open to all AWP members who identify as emerging writers, but we particularly encourage applications from those writers who have never been associated with an MFA program, and those writing from regions, backgrounds, and cultures that are too often underrepresented in the literary world.

Season 22 begins on September 15, 2025, and will consist of six lightly structured modules over a three-month period, concluding on December 5. You and your mentor will make a commitment to the process—and to each other.

FAQ

If I have already been a mentee with W2W, can I apply again?

While you are welcome to apply an unlimited number of times before being matched, we only allow individuals to participate in the program as a mentee once.* We receive a high volume of applications each season and do our best to match as many individuals as possible.

*In the case of extenuating circumstances such as personal or health issues, we make every effort to rematch mentees who must withdraw from the program. However, this is up to staff discretion and depends on the availability of volunteer mentors.

Can I submit in two different genres?

While we do allow multiple applications, please note that you can only be matched with a mentor once; so, if you have a strong preference for one genre over the other, we advise you to apply only in that genre. If you do choose to apply in multiple genres, please indicate that on your application.

Can I submit work that has already been published?

We encourage you to submit a writing sample that gives the best sense of who you are as a writer, and what you will be working on with your mentor. While you are welcome to submit a published piece you are proud of, we encourage you to submit a sample of your work in progress, particularly if you are seeking manuscript review.

How are mentees selected?

We take your interest in connecting with a mentor seriously. After our reviewers read all mentee applications, we send a selection of potential matches to our participating mentors, who ultimately choose their own mentee. They tend to choose mentees based on shared goals and interests, and whether they feel they can help that person at the stage they are in now. Our mentees come from all backgrounds and levels of experience; to ensure that we make the best possible matches this season, we ask that you be open and honest about your goals, your background, and where you are now with your writing.

Should you be chosen to participate, your mentor will review your writing, listen to your concerns, and help you work toward your writing goals. AWP’s membership team will also be there to support you, every step of the way.

Make a connection that can last a lifetime. Applications are welcome July 1–31, 2025.

Mentors

Mentor applications are open year-round. Learn more about mentoring with AWP.