MENTORSHIP
Each year, Books That Help run a free mentoring opportunity for aspiring writers writing books with important and powerful messages.
The mentorship is run in conjunction with Little Tiger Press.
MEET THE TEAM
Perry Emerson
(Senior Editor at Little Tiger Press)
Clare Helen Welsh
(Founder of Books That Help)
‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTORSHIP 2025-2026
Books That Help are excited to announce that the Books That Help mentorship is BACK for one writer or writer-illustrator.
We're sure you'll agree this is another fantastic opportunity.
The Books That Help mentorship is for aspiring writers in partnership with children’s publisher, Little Tiger Press.
One mentorship will be offered to an unagented writer or writer-illustrator with a draft of a picture book that fits with the Books That Help agenda: stories that can help when the words are hard find. The mentorship will begin in Spring 2026 and will involve a series of virtual sessions with Clare to support the development of a picture book for 3-7yr olds.
On behalf of publisher Little Tiger Press, Senior Editor Perry Emerson will help to shortlist the mentees from applications received and will offer feedback on the chosen text. The Little Tiger team will then take a first look at the completed manuscript at the end of the process.
Perry said, “The path to getting published can often seem a daunting one, and so to have an author as talented, wise, and generous as Clare offering her support and guidance will be an invaluable experience for a new writer. I’m delighted to be involved with this mentorship, and I am very much looking forward to reading the inspiring stories that will be submitted.”
To help you prepare your story for submission and to talk you through the application process, there will be a live webinar with mentor, Clare Helen Welsh, and last year’s mentee, Abigail Kikuchi on Wednesday 19th November at 7pm, after which mentorships applications will open and stay open until midnight on 31st December.
Many thanks to Write Mentor for supporting us with the administration and for hosting the webinar!
WATCH THE WEBINAR
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE MENTORSHIP
TERMS
Who can apply?
Unagented, traditionally unpublished writers of fiction for children can apply for this Books That Help mentorship. Writers of all experiences are encouraged to send their work, including those who identify as a member of unrepresented groups. You must not be previously published in PB, non-fiction, chapter books, MG or YA with a traditional publisher or be currently agented. You do not have to live in the UK to enter. The mentorship is open to writers worldwide.
What do I send?
Please send your manuscript (800words max) double spaced, 12pt font in a word document or pdf. At the top of your document, please add your name, email address, word count and a maximum of 500 words about you, your text and why you are passionate about it. You can include brief illustration notes if essential. Please put these in blue italics and square brackets. Please note - only one entry per person.
How do I apply?
Once applications open on 19th November, follow the link above and upload your document. You will receive a confirmation email, but we cannot enter into further discussion or give feedback. Please rest assured that all applications will be read carefully. The closing date for applications is midnight on 31st December.
What is considered a 'Book that helps?'
Any picture book concept that you think is relevant to children in today's world. It might be funny, lyrical, written in rhyme or dialogue only, but it must have a social message for children at its core.
When will the mentee be announced?
In Spring 2026, the winner will be contacted individually. There will be an announcement via this website and on social media. We apologise in advance that we cannot enter into correspondence about decisions.
THE ‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTEE 2024 -2025 IS ABIGAIL KIKUCHI
Abigail Kikuchi writes stories inspired by the big feelings that both childhood and motherhood bring. She is based in Hertfordshire and works as an art gallery project manager.
The three highly commended texts were Penguin’s Perfect Pebble by Victoria Gatehouse, The Loudest Squeak by Fiona Bannatyne and The Little Fairy Tailor by Laura Howard.
The Books That Help team would like to thank everyone who applied. We hope to run the mentorship again in the future!
Victoria Gatehouse
Fiona Bannatyne
Laura Howard
‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTEE 2023 - 2024: Flora Cruft
“Writing is often a solitary journey, full of twists and turns that only those on the same path can understand. I had no idea, when I entered the Books That Help Little Tiger Mentorship competition, how beneficial working with Clare in a mentorship would be, not just for my writing but for my sense of self, and my resilience as a writer.
It can feel vulnerable and exposing to express ourselves through any act of creation. Entering writing competitions means taking a leap of faith into the unknown. I was incredibly lucky that Little Tiger Press editor and judge of Books that Help, Perry Emerson, saw the potential in my submission and I won the competition.”
‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTEE 2022 - 2023: Lucy Falkner
“What an opportunity the Books That Help mentorship has been! I have learnt a huge amount about the craft of picture book writing over the last six months and my stories have benefited enormously from Clare's tailored teaching and detailed critiques. To be guided by someone with such brilliant knowledge of the picture book market has been very helpful and I am now in a position to send my first submission package, something that felt a long way off at the beginning of this mentorship!
I am also hugely grateful to have had such helpful feedback on my writing from Perry Emerson at Little Tiger, who has been very generous with his time. I am sad that the mentorship has come to an end but am delighted with the progress I have made under Clare's expert guidance and feel prepared for my next steps.
Thank you to Clare and Little Tiger for a wonderful experience!”