Applications are now open:
Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme 2025
Calling all writers! Are you looking for feedback on your writing? We are delighted to be sponsoring a writer from County Kilkenny to take part in this year’s Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring Programme.
The National Mentoring Programme is an exciting opportunity to receive sustained creative and professional mentoring from an established Irish writer of your choosing.
The opportunity is available to writers of:
- Fiction
- Creative non-fiction
- Children’s / Young Adult fiction
- Poetry
Each mentorship consists of three meetings with an experienced writer over a period of approximately 6–8 months. The mentor reads up to 10,000 words / 180 lines of poetry in advance, and will give creative feedback at each meeting. They may also provide professional information and advice. All mentees will avail of the relationship for free.
Application deadline: Sunday 2 March 2025 at 5pm
Full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Irish Writers Centre website: https://irishwriterscentre.ie/national-mentoring-programme/
“My mentor, Colin Barrett, has been generous and knowledgeable in answering my questions, from the mundane to the philosophical. Having a mentor gives me a sense of accountability in producing new work, and seeing my stories through Colin’s lens has been hugely helpful.”
Eimear Arthur
Mentored by Colin Barrett, National Mentoring Programme 2024
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“The National Mentoring Programme offered me a fresh perspective on my work, and I learned so much from my mentor, Betsy who worked with me to develop scenes, clarify structure, and strengthen characters. She encouraged me to write the story I wanted to write, instead of what I thought others wanted, and set ambitious targets that forced me out of my ‘perfectionist’ mentality that was blocking progress. I would recommend the programme to any emerging writer. It is a very enjoyable and productive step towards fulfilling your dream.”
Rachael O’Brien
Mentored by Betsy Cornwell, National Mentoring Programme 2024
