QWF’s Youth Mentorship Program is a Big-Sibling-style partnership designed to help young writers gain confidence and develop their writing skills. The program pairs experienced professional writers with promising young writers aged 14–21. Each pair meets either online or in person on a weekly basis for 15 weeks during the school term. The young writer is expected to devote an additional hour each week to working independently on their writing.
Each mentee receives one-on-one guidance and individualized support from a professional writer, who helps them polish their work and/or generate new material. The mentor also offers guidance on how to prepare and submit work for publication or to writing contests, including submitting to QWF’s new journal for young writers, Quist. Every writer who submits to Quist receives gentle written feedback, and successful submitters receive professional editing and an honorarium.
After the mentorship period ends, the mentees will have an opportunity to read from their work to a live audience.
The program prioritizes youth who are BIPOC, 2SLGBTQI+, or neurodivergent, as well as those living with socioeconomic or familial challenges or in other challenging situations. Alumni of our Writers in the Community program are particularly encouraged to apply. To submit an application or to nominate a student, use the form below.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a youth mentorship, writers must be:
- Between 14 and 21 years old
- Willing to devote two hours every week for 15 weeks (one hour to meet with the mentor and another to work on writing independently)
Writers between the ages of 14 and 17 must have the cooperation of an educator, who will be asked to arrange for supervision in a school or group home setting for the weekly meetings.
Educators may nominate a student for a mentorship by completing the form below.
How to Apply
Applications to the QWF Youth Mentorship Program are open year-round. Two participants will be selected for the fall term and two for the spring each year.
Young writers may apply themselves, and educators may nominate their students.
If you are not an educator but wish to nominate a student, please contact us.
Applicants should be prepared to upload a writing sample (1–5 pages, which can be either one piece of writing or a collection of shorter pieces) and to answer the following questions:
- What kind of reading and writing do you like to do? (100–150 words)
- Why would you like to have a professional writer as a mentor? (100–150 words)
Educators should be prepared to write a brief introduction of themselves and the student they wish to nominate, including their relationship to the student and why that student would be a good fit for the mentorship (max 200 words).
Submit Now
To apply for a mentorship, or to nominate a youth, complete the form below.
Past Mentorship Pairs
2026
Aisha Nyerere, mentored by Emily T. Jones
Lily Jolie Valdez Hausknost, mentored by Liana Cusmano
Asbesteous, mentored by Su J. Sukol
Zoey Morin, mentored by Raquel Rivera
2025
Elixir Pootoogook, mentored by Ryan Barnett
Thaia:iake Lazare, mentored by Erin Vollick