WRITERS
‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTORSHIP 2023
THE ‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTEE 2023 IS FLORA CRUFT
Flora is a queer (bisexual) poet and picture book writer, passionate about writing stories which include representations of LGBTIQ+, neurodivergence, and disability. She is a psychotherapist in private practice, who also loves singing and baking.
Books That Help are delighted to announce that the 2023 mentorship has been awarded to Flora Cruft and her text ‘The Fawn.’
In Autumn 2022, Books That Help founder Clare Helen Welsh launched a mentorship in partnership with children’s publisher, Little Tiger. The mentorship is back again for a second year. In Autumn 2023, 2022’s mentee, Lucy Falkner, joined Clare for a live webinar in which they shared experiences of mentorship and examples of outstanding picture books that help. Applications opened on 17th November and over 100 entries were received from writers all over the world. On behalf of Little Tiger, Senior Editor Perry Emerson joined Clare to whittle down the texts to one winner and two highly commended.
The winner is ‘The Fawn’ by Flora Cruft. Flora is a queer (bisexual) poet and picture book writer, passionate about writing stories which include representations of LGBTIQ+, neurodivergence, and disability. She is a psychotherapist in private practice, who also loves singing and baking. ‘The Fawn,’ pitched as a magical, modern-day Bambi featuring inclusive characters, stars Ivy who transforms into a fawn when she finds hoofprints in the woods.
This is what Flora said about winning the mentorship:
“I'm thrilled to have the won the Books that Help and Little Tiger Press mentorship. My story, ‘The Fawn’ was inspired by walks with my twin daughters in our local woods, and the beautiful deer we encounter there. The story centres on a magical adventure, with themes of bravery, friendship and adapting to new experiences.
Having worked with Clare before on her Advanced Picture Book course with Write Mentor, I know what a fantastic teacher she is, and I'm excited to see how my writing can develop under her guidance. I am very grateful to Clare and Little Tiger Press for this amazing opportunity, and I can't wait to make the most of it!”
On shortlisting the texts, Clare said:
“It was an honour to be trusted with so many deeply personal, touching and important stories. I laughed, cried and was in awe of the talent in this year’s submissions. I wish I had the capacity to support more writers, but I take heart knowing that there are so many writers making the world a better place with their stories.
Flora’s text is written in exquisite prose and combines magical fantasy with a tender adult-child relationship and a love of nature.”
The highly commended texts were ‘Hot Chocolate in Your Pocket’ by Mikki Defever and ‘A Fluffy Bunny Kind of Story’ by Joanne Dearden.
MIKKI DEFEVER - HOT CHOCOLATE IN YOUR POCKET
With 20+ years working one-on-one with kids, Mikki as a reading specialist and a play-based therapist for kids with autism and other developmental disabilities. Her story ‘Hot Chocolate in Your Pocket’ is a fiction picture book for 3 to 7 year olds that features a calming strategy to help children find calm, taking deep breaths and cooling down their own imaginary hot chocolates and adding fun toppings.
JOANNE DEARDEN - A FLUFFY BUNNY KIND OF STORY
Joanne wanted to write a story to challenge stereotypes and how children in general should act, little girls in particular. ‘A Fluffy Bunny Kind of Story’ is a story about a shy, sweet little bunny called Lily-Rose… except, Lily-Rose – who isn’t shy, or sweet – doesn’t want to be in this sort of story at all… This non-rhyming story, interactive picture book subverts gender stereotypes with laugh out loud humour.
Highly commended - Mikki Defever
Highly commended - Joanne Dearden
Other longlisted titles, which were carefully read and strongly considered, included: The Kiss You Might Miss, Dancing Delilah, The Monsters of Grumple Street, When Mummy Went Behind the Clouds, Monkey Mischief and The Quiet Riot.
The Books That Help team would like to thank everyone who applied. We hope to run the mentorship again in the future!
MEET THE TEAM
Perry Emerson
- Senior Editor at Little Tiger Press
Clare Helen Welsh
- Founder of Books That Help
THE MENTORSHIP IS CLOSED - PLEASE COME BACK IN AUTUMN 2024
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 17th November, follow the link 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 2024, 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.
Many thanks for Write Mentor Team for supporting us with the administration and promotion of this opportunity and for hosting the webinar!
CLICK HERE TO APPLY FOR THE MENTORSHIP
‘BOOKS THAT HELP’ MENTEE 2022 - 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!”
