Meet One-On-One with a GrubStreet Instructor
Since 2023, GrubStreet has offered a Mentorship Program that offers writers 25-minute appointments where they can meet one-on-one with a GrubStreet instructor to ask focused and specific questions about the writing craft and a writing career. These appointments are tuition-free and open to all writers at any level, with an additional focus on community members with financial needs and from historically under-represented groups.
“Questions about Writing? Ask Us Anything!” (Zoom Event)
We are kicking off the 2024 Mentorship Program with a Zoom event featuring instructors Jennifer Crystal and Yu-Mei Balasingamchow. Come and ask them anything – anything at all! – about writing or the Mentorship Program. This event is free and will be on Thursday, May 16, 6 to 7pm ET. Click here for more details and to register for the Zoom link.
Mentorship Appointments Schedule 2024
Mentorship appointments are now available from mid-May to mid-July 2024. See the upcoming schedule, registration info, and frequently asked questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost for a Mentorship appointment?
Thanks to our generous donors, Mentorship appointments are free to students. We also hope to grow this program in the future. As we are compensating mentors for their time, it’s important that students turn up for their appointments. If you can’t make it for an appointment after signing up, please email [email protected] so that we can release the appointment and someone else can use the time.
Where will Mentorship appointments be held?
Mentorship appointments take place either in person at the Seaport or remotely on Zoom. You will receive a reminder email 3 to 5 days before your appointment.
If you have an in-person appointment, it will contain details about the classroom location and parking or transport reimbursement. If you have a Zoom appointment, you will receive two emails: the reminder email, and an email with the Zoom link 15 minutes before the appointment begins.
What’s the best way to use these appointments?
We suggest that students prepare a list of questions in advance. It’s best to keep your questions focused and specific, like: “I am having X challenge with my plot/protagonist and have tried these things without breaking through. Do you have suggestions for how I can try to resolve this?”
Students will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance to help their mentor prepare. This is optional during the registration process but highly recommended, as it can make the meeting even more productive.
Please note that the 30-minute appointments are actually 25 minutes; the last 5 minutes are to allow time to transition from one appointment to another.
Can I use my appointment time to get on-the-spot feedback on manuscript pages?
If you choose to use your time for this, sure! However, given that the appointment is for 25 minutes, it may be challenging to get meaningful feedback within this structure. The mentor is not being compensated for any outside work before or after these appointments, and we don’t expect or require them to complete any projects outside of the appointment times.
You might want to consider another program that might be better suited for manuscript reviews. Consider a Muse & the Marketplace Manuscript Mart appointment where you submit work ahead of time for feedback on several pages. Scholarships are available! There are other manuscript consultation programs available at GrubStreet as well.
How many appointments can I sign up for?
Please sign up for only ONE appointment. If you would like a second appointment, please check the schedule one week before that particular appointment. If it is still available then, you may register for it.
What if I miss my appointment or arrive late?
If you know you can’t make your appointment, please email [email protected] and let us know. We will release the appointment and another person can use the time. Last-minute cancellations or no-shows cannot be rescheduled. If an unexpected emergency arises, we’ll do our best to reschedule, though we can’t make guarantees.
If unfortunately, you miss your appointment, remember that more Mentorship appointments will be offered later this year, and you can sign up again.
What if I have a suggestion or feedback about my appointment or the Mentorship program?
Everyone will receive a survey within a week of their appointment. If you would like to submit feedback outside of a survey, please write to [email protected].