2027 WNDB Mentorship Program
About the Event
The WNDB Mentorship Program matches aspiring children's book writers and illustrators with experienced children's book creators for a year-long, one-on-one partnership. Over the course of the calendar year (January to December), mentees work closely with their mentors to edit their manuscripts, receive feedback on drafts or portfolios, and learn about navigating the competitive publishing industry.
Mentorships are awarded across four categories: Picture Book Text (PB), Middle Grade (MG), Young Adult (YA), and Illustration (IL). Writing mentorships are available to writers who have completed a full draft of a manuscript for children or teens featuring a diverse main character or diverse central subject matter. Illustration mentorships are open to artists with a completed portfolio and several sample illustrations. The mentorship is free, completely virtual, and open to international applicants, with all correspondence conducted in English.
Mentors
Illustration Mentors: Nadia Salomon, Mars Lauderbaugh, Sophie Li.
Picture Book Mentors: Jackie Morera, Leslie Stall Widener, Courtney Pippin-Mathur, Reem Faruqi.
Middle Grade Mentors: Shifa Saltagi Safadi, Wendy Xu, Tracy Badua, Ari Koontz.
Young Adult Mentors: Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, Chatham Greenfield, Sonido Reyes, Alex Land, Joy McCullough, Alvina Ling.
QueryTo's Take
Since 2016, this highly prestigious and life-changing program has paired over 100 creators with established professionals, leading to numerous agency signings and major book deals. It is one of the most substantial and effective career-development programs in the industry, offering deep, year-long craft and industry mentorship completely free of charge. Aspiring diverse storytellers should seriously consider applying.
Insider Tip
You are eligible to apply regardless of your publishing history (including being agented or traditionally published), but you must address your industry status and explain why you need the mentorship in your application essay. Note that your submitted manuscript must be previously unpublished in any form (including self-publishing). Also, applicants seeking to work on a graphic novel manuscript with Wendy Xu are only required to submit a pitch package (outline, character sheet, sample pages) instead of a full manuscript draft.
Participation Rules
- For writing categories, the draft must feature a diverse main character or a diverse central subject matter as defined by WNDB's inclusive definition of diversity.
- Applicants must be 18 years of age or older by the time of application.
- Open to US and international creators, but submissions must be written in English and applicants must be able to communicate easily in English
- Previous recipients of a WNDB Mentorship (general program) are not eligible to apply. Alumni of other WNDB programming (e.g., Black Creatives Mentorship) are eligible.
- Applicants may only apply to ONE of the four mentorship categories (Picture Book, Middle Grade, Young Adult, or Illustration). Multiple applications will result in disqualification.
- For writing mentorships, the submitted manuscript must be a completed, unpublished (including self-published) draft for children or teens. For illustration, a portfolio and several sample illustrations are required.
- Writers may submit a maximum of one manuscript. Anyone submitting more than one manuscript or application will be disqualified.
- Collaborative manuscripts are eligible, but only one author can work with the mentor as the designated point person.
- No generative AI may be used for any aspect of the submitted project or materials.
- To ensure fair opportunity, applicants are encouraged to think carefully about their level of need, and must address their publishing status openly in their essay if already published or agented.
How to Participate
Research the 2027 mentors listed for your category
Research the 2027 mentors listed for your category to decide which category and mentor best suit your work (applicants can specify a mentor preference in their application, though matches are not guaranteed).
Prepare your submission materials
For writing categories, prepare the first 25 pages of your manuscript (up to 2,000 words; back matter excluded) and a full story synopsis. For graphic novels with Wendy Xu, prepare a pitch package (outline, character sheet, and sample pages); for illustration, compile your portfolio and several sample illustrations.
Fill out the form
Access and fill out the official application Google Form during the application window from September 1 to September 30, 2026. Submit under your real name for contact information, and state your pen name in the body of the application form if applicable. Ensure no identifying information is present on the manuscript or illustration files.
Monitor your email inbox
Monitor your email for notifications. WNDB first-round judges will select finalists, and the 2027 mentors will choose their mentees from the finalist pool based on merit, compatibility, and readiness.
Event Schedule & Admission
Who Should Attend
- Networking
- Craft Development
- Query Strategy
- Marketing & Platform
Participating Agents
Format & Venue
Official Website
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