When you apply, we’ll ask you to fill out a short survey designed to help us understand what stage you’re at with your writing, and what help you would most benefit from. This will help us match you with the mentor best placed to hep you.

As well as this you can submit a short sample of your writing to be read by your mentor (usually 2000 – 5000 words.)

After their review you’ll receive an annotated copy of your writing extract together with their suggestions and feedback. You’ll then have the opportunity to meet with the mentor on Zoom, for a 1-1 session (up to 90 minutes) where you can follow up on any questions or comments you may have.

You can tailor your session to your needs

If you have a chapter draft, poetry or short story that you want expert feedback on, we will help match you with a mentor who is best placed to offer insightful feedback. 

If you are already a significant way into your writing project, a 1-1 Writers’ Surgery is also an effective way of exploring whether you would benefit from undertaking a longer mentoring programme (3 – 9 months) with New Writing South.

For writers who have completed a project and are ready to approach agents and publishers, we can offer a dedicated 1 – 1 Writers’ Surgery focusing on an excerpt of your work, your synopsis and cover letter.