What is Writing with the Stars?
Writing with the Stars is an opportunity for aspiring picture book writers and illustrators to win a free, three-month mentorship with a published author or author/illustrator. Mentors will help mentees further develop their craft and share invaluable advice and insight into the publishing world.
When is Writing with the Stars?
WWTS is closed for 2019. The 2020 mentor class will be announced December 2019.
The application window is from January 9, 2019 through midnight January 13, 2019 EST. Winners will be announced on Twitter (@T_Luebbe) and on my blog on January 31, 2019 at 11:00 am EST, and the mentorships themselves run from February 1 through April 30, 2019.
For official rules click here.
Why Writing with the Stars?
In 2014, I jumped into the world of kidlit and started writing picture books with my sister Becky. I educated myself on the industry, joined SCBWI, found critique partners, and attended conferences. I was starting to get positive feedback from critiques and contests, but I needed something more. I knew the answer was a mentor. I looked at the few options, but could not find a mentor that was the right match for my weird, quirky humor. Then fate intervened and I saw that author Stacy McAnulty was running a contest to find a mentee. And, amazingly, it was free! She wrote funny books … just like me. I won and we worked together for six months. Soon after, I signed with an agent and sold my first books. Stacy’s only requirement was that I pay it forward and take on my own mentee when I was able.
I know personally the immense value of a mentorship and the difference it can make. I firmly believe that no one makes it in this business without help from others. The generosity and kindness of the kidlit community blows me away. So instead of mentoring one writer, I created this contest so I can pay it forward in a bigger way. And I’m thrilled it was a hit and that this is the third year of Writing with the Stars.
Behind these dressing room doors are industry superstars willing to donate their time and knowledge to some very lucky mentees.
Good luck,
Tara Luebbe
Ready to apply? Click here for Application Cover Page.
You can see a list of previous mentors here.
Meet The Stars
Dev Petty – Bio
Tammy Sauer – Bio
Deb Pilutti – Bio
Lindsay Ward – Bio
Melissa Iwai & Denis Markell – Bios
Jason Gallaher – Bio
Laura Gehl – Bio
Adam Lehrhaupt – Bio
Pam Calvert – Bio
Catherine Bailey – Bio
Diana Murray – Bio
Tim McCanna – Bio
Andrea Wang – Bio
Deborah Marcero – Bio
Carter Higgins – Bio
Cate Berry – Bio
For a list of previous mentors, click here.
See our blog for interviews with the mentors.