Children's Books North 2023 Mentor Scheme

 CHILDREN'S BOOKS NORTH 2023 MENTOR SCHEME 



Our annual CBN mentor scheme for aspiring publishers is back for 2023!
 
This year we're delighted to be expanding the scheme as we're joined by three more CBN publishing professional mentors, allowing us to offer mentor scheme places to six new mentees for 2023. Read on for details of how to apply.


Joining Children's Books North co-founders, Emma, Tilda and Liz, as mentors this year will be:


Ashley Thorpe

Based in Manchester, Ashley is Senior Editor at Storymix: the inclusive fiction studio. Ashley has worked in publishing since 2008 and is a children's writer in his own right.



Alice Bartosinski

Based in Kendal in Cumbria, Alice is a Senior Commissioning Editor with Nosy Crow and works on picture books. Alice has previously worked with Egmont and Simon & Schuster.


Tom Ashton-Booth

Based in Doncaster, Tom is children's book designer with Oxford University Press, working on picture books and young fiction. Tom is also a published children’s illustrator and was previously a prop maker and set dresser.



The 2023 CBN mentor scheme will offer places to six aspiring publishing professionals living in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland.

Mentoring will work on a 1:1 basis.


Applications are open to anyone interested in beginning a career in publishing. 

No previous experience is needed. 


What is involved?


An introductory 1-hour online meeting, followed by three 1-hour online meetings focused on:

          • Improving your CV & social media profile

          • The importance of networking

          • Interview & assistant role expectations


In between these four meetings, there will be regular email interaction.


How long will the mentor scheme last?

The mentorship scheme will last 4 months, starting April 2023. 

After the scheme ends, we will put you in contact with the other CBN mentees from your year so that you can create a support network moving forward. Once a year, we will gather all our mentees together for a social gathering.


How to apply?

Applications are OPEN NOW and will close on Tuesday 14th March.

Click here to complete the application form.

See document here for a list of different departments within publishing.


If you have any questions, please take a look at our FAQs or feel free to contact us at childrensbooksnorth@gmail.com


We will leave the last word to our cohort of 2022 mentees for a flavour of what to expect on the Children's Books North mentor scheme:

 

        “I wasn't sure what to expect when I was selected as a mentee for the Children's Books North mentoring programme but what I received was a huge amount of support, brilliant industry connections and an incredibly useful insight into the publishing world from the wonderfully inclusive, open-minded and forward-thinking team at Children's Books North."  Joanna Ruffell, 2022 mentee

         “[the Children’s Books North Scheme] has taught me so much about the publishing industry in the four sessions we’ve had together and I’ve also got to attend some great events and met lots of authors and illustrators. I’m still looking for the right opportunity, but I’m definitely more knowledgeable and confident about applying for a role within children’s publishing when the right job comes up."  Helen Varley, 2022 mentee

         “Each of the sessions was engaging and helpful, tailored to questions I had, and I came away from our conversations wanting to explore more. I learned lots about the various roles in publishing, interview skills, and the importance of building an online presence. I'd recommend the scheme for anyone looking to make their first steps in the industry.”  Luke Power, 2022 mentee


Good luck!

Emma, Liz and Tilda


Email: childrensbooksnorth@gmail.com

Twitter: @books_north

Instagram: childrens_books_north

Hashtag: childrensbooksnorth

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Mentor Scheme 2024 - Applications Open

Image
Children's Books North 2024 Mentor Scheme Applications Open! Applications are now open for the Children’s Books North Mentor Scheme! The scheme offers twelve aspiring publishers living in the North West, North East, Yorkshire and Scotland four hours of mentoring with a publishing professional over four months, with the goal of demystifying the industry for new talent. Mentoring will work on a 1:1 basis and mentees will be matched with a mentor that suits their interests and experience, whether that’s editorial, production, design, marketing, sales or agenting. For more info on publishing roles, see document here for a list of different departments within publishing. Applications are open to anyone interested in beginning a career in publishing. No previous experience is needed and we also welcome applications from those looking to change career path. The only essential is a love for children’s books and to be based in the North of England or Scotland. Scroll to the ‘How to Apply...
Read more

Northern Highlights - Jenny Bloomfield

Image
NORTHERN HIGHLIGHTS Jenny Bloomfield    Where do you live, and how would you sum up the place in three words?   Leeds - Urban, Dales, Evolving   What is special to you about creating children's books, and what is your favourite part of the process?  Children's books are mini-works of art and a favourite book will be looked at hundreds and hundreds of times - not many books get this much attention from their audience! I am always drawing (I've drawn every day since 1st September 2014 - you can see every single day on my instagram @Jennybloomfield ) so I love being able to transfer my sketchbook observations and ideas to a living breathing story. For instance,  The Worry Jar , has some scenes at a swimming pool and I was able to go back to all the drawing I did sitting on the side of the pool while my kids were having lessons.   Jenny's sketches by the pool The Worry Jar, Oxford University Press, 2022.       Tell us about your upcomin...
Read more

Looking North: The Children's Books North Directory

Image
Looking North:  An indispensable di rectory of Children's Books North members We are delighted to be launching our Directory of Members, which lists published children’s authors, illustrators and publishing professionals based in the North East, North West, Yorkshire and Scotland.   Tilda Johnson said: ‘ The Directory is a key resource in our aim to connect the children’s book professionals living in our regions, to promote our members' work, and to champion the importance of regional diversity in children’s books and the publishing industry.’ Members are listed along with their details, short bios and recent covers, enabling booksellers, librarians, schools, festivals, literacy organisations, agents and publishers to easily get in touch. The Directory is also a valuable resource for authors and illustrators looking to connect with other creatives working in their region and to forge new networks. Our plan is to update the Directory annually, as the network grows. It wi...
Read more