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

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