Hello, authors!
It’s that time of year again. Time to save our Word documents, emerge from our writing caves, and return to the classrooms. Ughhhhh.
Early fall has always been an anxiety-inducing time of year for me (New director, Emma). This is half because I am not a Fall Person™ (Pumpkin spice is overrated. There, I said it.) and half because school pressure usually causes me to set aside my writing, sometimes until NaNoWriMo.
Every single book I’ve ever read in the How To Write™ genre has emphasized habit. Writing every day and making that a part of one’s life is essential, especially for younger folks still finding our way. For many of us, programs like creative writing classes and clubs keep the writing habit alive year round. I know first hand, though, that this kind of structured support is not available to everyone through school or IRL community. Many, especially those who attend parochial school or home school, must make do with online communities and sheer determination. Building a habit this way, with so much else on one’s plate, is lonely and challenging. Absolutely no fun.
This is why last year, the Ch1Team schemed up the Ch1Con Mentorship Program. It’s designed to give you structure when you need it most, in that desolate drought between Ch1Con and NaNoWriMo. This year, we’ll endeavor to teach you more about every step in the publishing process. We’ll teach you how to use editorial letters to strengthen your writing. We’ll help you utilize copy edits, read contracts and decipher non-disclosure agreements. Even better, at the end of the program, you’ll get to hold your hard work in your hands in the form of a shiny new anthology!
Chapter One Conference 