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AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program

AWP’s mentorship program, Writer to Writer, matches emerging writers with established authors for a three-month series of modules on topics such as craft, revision, publishing, and the writing life.

Now, for the first time ever, we are inviting volunteer W2W participants to apply to review applications and help us find the perfect matches among the season’s applicants.

We are so excited for this new opportunity for Writer to Writer participants to help a new cohort of mentees find their ideal mentor. This is a great way to stay connected to the W2W community—particularly for those who are not quite ready to mentor themselves, or those who want to stay involved but are unable to dedicate the full twelve weeks to the program.

Please review all the terms and conditions below before applying.

Reviewers

A crucial step in preparing a successful season of Writer to Writer is selecting matches that are aligned in goals, values, and communication styles. Using questionnaires filled out by the season’s mentors as a guide, volunteer reviewers will read the applications in their selected genre and send a ranked list of five to seven potential mentees for each mentor to AWP staff. Rankings should take into account the goals of the mentee applicants, as well as the expertise of the mentor; any personal values the mentee applicants and mentor share (as expressed in their applications); and any other factors, including writing style, that lead you to believe that the mentee applicant and the mentor would make a successful match.

Based on reviewer recommendations, AWP staff will pass along a selection of applicants to the mentors participating in a given season. The mentors will ultimately choose their own mentee.

Terms & Conditions

If selected, you will be asked to adhere to the following terms and conditions:

1.        All details of the review process must be kept confidential from any individuals outside of AWP staff. This includes the content of the applications, the names of the individuals who apply, and your selections and rankings.

2.        This is an entirely volunteer-based position.

3.        At this time, only those who have participated as a mentor and/or mentee are eligible to serve as reviewers.

a.        Anyone who is mentoring in a given season cannot review applications for that season, but may apply to review applications for a different season.

4.        AWP staff will assign applications to you as they come in. Selections/rankings should be sent to AWP staff no later than two weeks after mentee applications close. (For Season 22, for example, applications close on July 31, 2025, so selections should be sent to AWP staff by August 14, 2025.)

5.        While we will take your selections and rankings into strong consideration, please remember that the final decisions are made by the mentors themselves.

If selected, AWP staff will reach out to you with more details, including tips and suggestions for application review. If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact programs@awpwriter.org.