Heyman Mentorship
Award
with HarperCollins
Acclaimed author Kathryn Heyman, founder of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program, has once more partnered with publisher Catherine Milne of HarperCollins to offer the 2022 Kathryn Heyman Mentorship Award for a writer from a background of social and economic disadvantage.
The successful writer will be mentored by Kathryn Heyman, under the auspices of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program, for up to twelve months. At the conclusion of the mentoring program, the writer will receive a full read of their manuscript, with the first option to publish, and a full editorial report from HarperCollins.
Speaking about the award, Catherine Milne said, "I’ve always admired Kathryn Heyman – both her writing and her generosity of spirit in mentoring and encouraging new authors. She has a real eye for genuine talent, so to have this opportunity to work with her on the Heyman Mentorship Award is so exciting – I can’t wait to read the new voices that emerge."
Writers who have emerged from the Australian Writers Mentoring Program include Ned Kelly Award nominee, Rae Cairns (The Good Mother) and Pip Williams, author of Reese Witherspoon pick, The Dictionary of Lost Words.
The award is for a writer of fiction or non-fiction over the age of twenty-six. However, the writer should be working on a full-length work of prose which engages in some way with issues of class and economic disadvantage.
"Kathryn is an inspirational and charismatic teacher. With her trademark energy and humour, she encouraged me to ask the hard questions." Jane Rusbridge, author of The Devil’s Music, longlisted for the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award
"Kathryn is a highly skilled, brilliant and dynamic mentor. The author of six wonderful novels, she was able to communicate from a deep understanding of the writing process and guided me as to what was important, what worked, what didn’t. This was mentoring at its best, which I will always treasure." Sienna Brown, author of Master of My Fate, published by Penguin Random House, winner of the MUD Literary Prize.
"The structure of The Curious Incident owes a great deal to Kathryn Heyman, with whom I was teaching a course some years ago. She was talking to the students about structure … as she spoke, the heavens opened, angels sang ..." Mark Haddon, author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.
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Heyman Mentorship Award Guidelines
Kathryn Heyman, founder of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program, has teamed up with Catherine Milne of HarperCollins to offer the 2022 Kathryn Heyman Mentorship Award for a writer from a background of social and economic disadvantage. The successful writer will be mentored by Kathryn Heyman, under the auspices of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program, for twelve months. At the conclusion of the mentoring program, the writer will receive a full read and editorial report from HarperCollins.
Guidelines:
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This award is for a writer of fiction or non-fiction. However, the writer should be working on a full length work of prose that engages with issues of class and economic disadvantage.
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Mentorship meetings will take place in Sydney or online.
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At the conclusion of the mentorship, the writer will have up to one year to complete the manuscript before submitting it to HarperCollins, who will then provide a full read and editorial report.
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HarperCollins makes no commitment to publish the work resulting from the mentorship but will have the right of first offer.
Applications will close on 3pm Monday 20th September.
How to apply:
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Applications should be sent to India Tarasin, Program Manager of the Australian Writers Mentoring Program at admin@writermentors.com
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Applications are by email with one single attachment made up of:
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A 1 – 3 page summary of your background as it pertains to the award.
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An outline (one page maximum) of the work you want to write during the mentorship and how the mentorship would help you
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A three-thousand-word excerpt of work in progress
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A CV