Please do not pay for the mentorship until you receive a formal acceptance notification via email.

Click HERE to Apply Now. Early applications are encouraged as space is limited.

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We are very excited to offer a limited enrollment one-on-one 3-Month Open-Genre Creative Writing Mentorship: “From Inspiration to Completion & Publication”  with Albert Flynn DeSilver, author of several books of poems, the memoir Beamish Boy (one of KIRKUS Reviews “Best Books of 2013” and the popular nonfiction book for writers Writing as a Path to Awakening from Sounds True/Macmillan, which BUSTLE magazine called “A Must Read!,” and  Poets & Writers magazine chose as one of their “Best Books for Writers” in 2018.  Albert has published work in more than 100 literary journals and magazines including ZYZZYVA, Chicago Review, New American Writing, Hanging Loose, Writer’s Digest, Adventure Journal, and elsewhere. Albert has taught and shared the stage with many bestselling authors including Cheryl Strayed, Elizabeth Gilbert, Maxine Hong Kingston, and many others. He has taught at various Colleges, Universities, institutes and writing conferences nationally for more than 25 years. 

"Albert Flynn DeSilver is a gem, a joy to work with, and puts together amazing workshops." -Cheryl Strayed, Best Selling Author of WILD & TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS   

This is an immersive one-on-one mentorship-based course designed to encourage committed writers, to identify blocks and hindrances, to work on transcending fear, doubt, worry and comparison mind, to regroup with solid strategies around healthy practice, constructive feedback, and strategies for completion and publication. We will also discuss getting clarity around the next steps for their individual project (writing, revision, querying agents, publication, etc). 

The ideal applicant is a committed writer working or interested in memoir, fiction (all genres), nonfiction (how-to), poetry, and essay or long-form journalism. You should be willing and interested in actively reading books in your genres of interest and have a spirit of willingness to receive and consider feedback to make your work as strong as it can be. While applicants of all experience levels are welcome, this program is best for writers who have been consistently writing (whether you have published or not) and are not sure how to take their work to the next level or writers who have completed projects in the past but feel stuck or unsure about their new project. Applicants should have a goal for the 3-month program when applying.

Whether you are still working on your idea or are well into writing it, this mentorship will meet you where you are and motivate and inspire both beginning and advanced writers. Writers accepted into the program will already have a basic knowledge of the tools and craft of writing in their genre of interest and are looking for an intensive experience without the cost of a graduate program. Interested applicants will understand that growth in craft requires critique, consistent work, and an eagerness to grow. Accepted applicants will agree to be punctual in the submission of work. 

How It Works:

-Upon acceptance into the mentorship program, you will schedule an initial one-on-one call with Albert to discuss your project and goals, allowing Albert to get a sense of your previous experience and preferences around feedback. Together, you’ll create a work plan for the next three months. This is largely an email-based mentorship, with periodic one-on-one check-ins, ideal for writers who need a flexible, accommodating program.

-As you commit to a project and for those of you who are working on a specific project, revision will be a key part of the mentorship. Writers will be expected to revise at least once over the 3-month mentorship program. The bulk of the mentorship will consist of Albert giving personalized feedback and advice around writing practice and process with ongoing support and encouragement. There is also the opportunity for more advanced participants to get feedback within the manuscript itself, as well as via follow-up emails that will develop organically. The critique will include feedback on what’s working well and what could be clarified or improved, particularly focused on story structure, coherence, character, plot, voice, dialogue, and POV. Albert will recommend additional resources that she thinks will benefit the writer.

-The number of pages due for each packet will depend on the writer and their project and will be worked out in the initial conversation. With each packet submission, you will also send an informal reflection where you can note areas of concern and success during that month, as well as any questions you may want Albert to particularly focus on addressing. Sharing your own sense of success is as important as sharing the areas of challenge.

This Three-Month Mentorship Consists of the Following:

• One-on-one check-in via Zoom or email, up to once a month 
• Personalized calendar for achieving your project goals
• Accountability
• Access to mentor via email for three months
• Three critiques of new pages (up to 1,000 words), including big-picture notes and questions (done in Microsoft Word using Track Changes)
• Personalized readings and assignments based on your specific development needs
• If applicable, access to optional networking (via email or Zoom) with other mentees in the program

Mentor’s Input:

• Emails that discuss individual monthly goals and progress
• In-line comments and critique on submitted manuscript pages
• When applicable, mentor will suggest new readings or exercises to aid in growth
• Available to answer questions and provide encouragement via email

Mentee’s Responsibilities:

• Send pages in a timely manner to mentor based on individual project goals negotiated with mentor
• Process-reflection letter discussing achievements and areas of growth for the month
• Read materials mentor may assign to aid growth in specific areas
• Participate in email conversation with mentor to review individual progress and areas of growth

General Dates for 3-Month Writing Mentorship “From Inspiration to Completion & Publication” with Albert Flynn DeSilver:

• Month 1
• 1-8th: Initial consults scheduled
• 22nd - Submission 1 due
• Month 2
• 5th - Latest you’ll receive feedback from Albert on Packet #1
• 5-12th: (Optional) Consults scheduled
• 26th - Packet 2 due
• Month 3
• 5th - Latest you’ll receive feedback from Albert on Packet #2
• 5-15th: wrap-up consults scheduled

Application Process:

Click HERE to Apply Now.