This mentorship program will support emerging writers & artists who are women of colour (WOC) and other BIPOC of marginalized genders across Canada.
We’ll connect emerging and industry professionals through a series of online mentorship sessions in 2023. The aim is to provide a free, low-barrier, and accessible way to connect with arts professionals while building a community of creatives.
We welcome participants who are exploring their cultural identity, searching for community, and integrating concepts and narratives related to culture, race, sexuality, and gender into their artistic practice. The program aims to build a meaningful community by supporting those who are feeling isolated, and facilitating a safe space for racialized women, transgender, and non-binary individuals to candidly explore ideas of identity and share their experiences of navigating spaces where they are minorities.
Our program is opened to refugees, immigrants, those of African, Asian, Latin American, Middle Eastern descent, and mixed racial heritages. As well as, including non-binary, trans, queer, and those who have been historically disadvantaged as a group and discriminated based on colour, culture, race, sexuality, and gender in a colonized and patriarchal society.
Eligibility: Participants must be 18 years or older by December 12, 2022, Canadian resident, no experience necessary but must have a keen interest in writing & arts. This is open to women of colour (WOC) and other other BIPOC of marginalized genders across Canada.
KEY INFO / DATES:
- Call for applicants open December 12, 2022 and deadline closes January 9, 2023 at 11:59 PM (PST).
- We will aim to accept 10-15 participants.
- Participants will be notified January 14, 2023.
- Sessions will run from January 23 to February 15, 2023.
- Speakers list and bios are here!
- This program is free!
Fine print:
- Each participant will receive an honorarium of $500 at the end of the program.
- All mentor speakers will be paid the CARFAC rate of $335 for each session.
- All sessions will be hosted at 3 PM (Pacific Standard Time) via Zoom. Sessions will be approx. 90 mins long (3:00-4:30 pm)
- Accessibility requests (ASL Interpretation, captions) can be provided upon request by participants.
Workshop Sessions
Monday Jan 23 — Introductions with group
Introduction with cohort and program team (Michelle & Kristin). Discuss any accessibility needs and community agreements.
We’ll discuss what we want to learn from this program, what we’re excited about, any challenges/gaps, and general ‘get to know each other / ice breaker activities.
Wednesday Jan 25 — How to pitch book proposals
First session is how to pitch book proposals as a writer. Mentor and speaker will discuss their journey from draft, proposal and then finally the coveted publishing deal.
Speaker: Doretta Lau, Leanne Dunic
Monday Jan 30 — Works in Progress #1
We’ll be developing our own chapbook with an open call for submissions this Spring. This session will be an opportunity for members of our cohort to discuss and have their works in progress workshopped. Very flexible and casual session with no speakers, just our group!
Wednesday Feb 1 — BIPOC in the publishing industry
We’ll meet with a virtual roundtable of published authors about what it’s like as a Black, Indigenous, Person of colour in the publishing industry. We’ll have an opportunity to ask questions and make connections!
Monday Feb 6 — Mental health Check-in Sessions
A break in the middle of the program. A check-in to see how we are doing with the program so far.
Wednesday Feb 8 — Works in Progress #2
This session will be a continuation of the January 30th session. An opportunity for members of our cohort to discuss and workshop their works in progress. Very flexible and casual session with no speakers, just our group!
Monday Feb 13 — Grant Writing / Marketing
We’re almost wrapping up our sessions! In this session, we’ll be talking about making money and sharing our works to the public. We’ll discuss and demystify grants (how to get money and how to spend money!) and general discussions on getting your work out there through marketing and social media.
Speakers: Megan Lau, Leanne Dunic, and Kristin Cheung
Wednesday Feb 15 — Wrap up Session
Virtual Cake, champagne, confetti (woo!) ???
Let’s celebrate with a big wrap up session. Let’s meet and chat about how we’re doing, how we’re feeling after the program.
Cohort will develop a chapbook to be published by March – April 2023.