MENTORING
When it comes to writing, there’s a huge amount of information and advice out there, but often it’s too general, or lacks the personal touch. A session with a mentor, however, is like a creative writing surgery; it will give you the opportunity to discuss your writing one-on-one, and receive tailored guidance and support from a professional.
Our mentoring service may be for you if…
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You intend to write a book and would like help developing a plan or outline before you begin.
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You have already started writing a book and would like regular guidance and feedback as you go along, in order to talk through any issues that may arise and keep writer’s block at bay.
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You would like some general advice about your creative writing; to talk to someone who can identify the strengths and weaknesses of your work, help build up your confidence, and make suggestions on how to advance you writing career.
Whatever your project or situation, Invisible Ink’s mentoring service will provide personalised support specifically aimed at you and your writing. Our friendly and knowledgeable mentors are all professional writers or editors (often both), and available for either a one-off session, or several sessions over a longer period of time.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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Introduce Yourself
If you think our mentoring service might be for you, get in touch. Once we are more familiar with you and your writing, and know approximately how many sessions you would like, we can match you with a mentor and book a session for a time that's convenient for you.
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Mentor Session
Our mentors can speak to you on the phone, over Skype or in person. The consultation will last for about an hour, and how that time is spent is up to you. You may want to prepare a list of questions for your mentor, or send them an extract of your writing or a novel outline in advance. Or you may wish to have an informal chat about the status of your project and your writing generally.
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Report
After the session, your mentor will email you a brief report summarising what was discussed. The contents will be dependent on the project, but it may include a summary of your progress, a list of any resources mentioned or details of any targets set for the future. A further benefit of this report is that it isn't necessary for you to take notes during your mentoring session.
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HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
One-Hour Mentoring Session: £40.
Discounts for multiple sessions can be negotiated. Please note, if you would like your mentor to give feedback on a substantial amount of your manuscript, you will be charged for reading time at the hourly rate.
INTERESTED?
Get in touch! We can't wait to hear your ideas and plans, and help you progress in your writing.
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STILL NOT SURE?
If you're an individual or organisation looking for someone to teach creative writing or lead writing workshops, you might want to try Teaching and Workshops.
If you're looking for feedback on a complete or partially complete writing project, you might want to try Manuscript Assessment.
If you’re looking for a professional author to write, co-write or rewrite your manuscript, you might want to try Ghostwriting.
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Amanda Block is a crucial element of our production chain. With great creativity, insight and expertise she has successfully guided our authors, editors, designers and printers for many years. She is an uncommonly gifted writer and particularly adept at helping authors plot and structure their work.
- Joe Murray, Manager of Arcadian Lifestyle Publishing
As someone who works on other people’s books for a living, planning my own first novel from scratch still felt like a daunting endeavour—as a mentor, Amanda helped me shape what felt like scattered thoughts into a coherent, book-shaped whole. She is tremendously skilled at showing you the potential your ideas had all along, and coaxing you along the road to bringing them to life. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone nervous about the start, middle or end of their project.
- Elodie Olson-Coons, The Second Pen