In 2022, RAWI launched the first round of a six-month mentorship program for emerging Arab and SWANA writers based in the United States as well as abroad, funded by community donations. We are currently revitalizing the program and seeking funding. Consider contributing here.

Goals

• Foster connections among emerging SWANA writers.

• Create the opportunity to dialogue with an experienced SWANA writing mentor about navigating the publishing industry, via monthly one-on-one meetings.

• Mend gaps in networking and publishing knowledge caused by systemic discrimination against writers of color, including Arab and SWANA writers.

How It Works

Mentors and fellows talk about publishing, building careers as writers, creating and fostering community with other writers, and other industry-related topics. Mentors and mentees are free to define their goals flexibly together. Some examples of topics that mentorships may cover might include: whether/how to choose an agent, writing a cover letter, red flags in a first book contract, how to apply for residencies and fellowships, how to submit to literary magazines, or how to set up a good work-life-balance in the year following publication.

At the end of each round of the mentorship program, a virtual mentor-mentee reading is held; in addition, an event at the biannual RAWIFest festival will showcase the work of RAWI mentees over the previous two years.

What to Expect

A gentle reminder to applicants that this is not a creative workshop-based program. Conversations will be focused on publication-related questions rather than craft questions related to how to improve any creative works in progress. Fellows are kindly asked to refrain from asking mentors to read, evaluate or share feedback on your work, as this is outside of the intentions and commitments of RAWI’s mentorship program.

In the past, two fellows were chosen in each category, fiction and poetry. We hope to expand these offerings in the future. For their time and labor, mentors are offered a $500 honorarium.