All Stories selects 10 writers from underrepresented groups for mentorship scheme

All Stories has selected a second cohort of mentees for its free initiative for underrepresented writers, with this year’s 10 authors all writing for either YA or middle-grade readers. 

Numbers of applicants for the 2022-23 All Stories programme continued at similar levels to the debut year in 2021-22, and 75% of applications were deemed to be of a standard ready for mentorship, with the mentors finding it difficult to choose between the high-quality submissions.

All Stories’ founder, children’s book editor Catherine Coe, said: “The industry cannot rest in the drive to improve diversity in children’s books.

"I am delighted All Stories is able to continue to support writers from underrepresented groups who’d otherwise be unable to afford such opportunities, thanks to funding from Arts Council England and the Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society.

“The 10 selected mentees are all incredibly talented and dedicated to their writing, and I’m excited to see how they develop over the next nine months.”

This year’s mentorship programme, with a specific focus on supporting middle-grade and young adult writers, means the mentees will receive ever more tailored support through additional craft-based webinars on aspects such as plot and voice, alongside audience-specific industry advice to complement their monthly one-to-one mentoring, the organisation says.

Mentorships have been extended from six months to nine, to further support the mentees. All Stories will continue its partnership with the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, which is offering a year’s free membership to each mentee.

The mentees include: Shuna Beckett, to be mentored by Genevieve Herr; Cabbi Charles, to be mentored by Emma Roberts; Habon Jama, to be mentored by Nicki Marshall; Olivia La Bastide, to be mentored by Jenny Glencross; and Taslin Pollock, to be mentored by Emma Young.

Also selected are: Olivia-Savannah Roach, to be mentored by Tilda Johnson; Kenechi Udogu, to be mentored by Nicki Marshall; Scar Ward, to be mentored by Catherine Coe; Laura Warminger, to be mentored by Clare Whitston; and Elinora Westfall, to be mentored by Kathy Webb.

In addition to the new mentorships, All Stories is focusing on developing its outreach, aiming to encourage people from underrepresented groups to consider writing for children.

It is establishing further partnerships to offer additional opportunities, such as with arts organisation Metal in Southend. This includes one-to-one mentoring sessions with editors Libby Hamilton and Lucy Rogers, and a talk aimed at secondary school and sixth-form students about entering the children’s book industry, presented by Eishar Brar, editorial director at Knights Of.