Mentor FAQs

Do I have to be a CWC member? Yes. To ensure the highest standards of professional guidance, all mentors must be CWC Professional Author Members in good standing.

Do I need an agent or prior mentoring experience to apply? No. While being agented is a significant milestone, our primary requirement is a proven track record of professional publication (traditional, indie, or hybrid). Prior mentoring experience is not required; your industry insights and writing expertise are what matter most.

Can I mentor more than one person? Yes. On the application, you can indicate whether you are open to taking on one or two mentees during the eight-week period.

What if I am not comfortable with the sub-genre of the mentee I am assigned? The Mentorship Committee works hard to match mentors with mentees based on the genres listed in your application. However, if you receive a match that feels significantly outside your area of expertise, please contact the Mentorship Committee immediately so we can review the pairing.

Will I have a say in who I am paired with? The committee handles the matching to ensure all applicants are treated fairly, but we rely heavily on the "Mentoring Superpowers" and preferences you list in your application to make the best possible fit.

What if I am selected but an emergency prevents me from finishing the term? We understand that "life happens". If you are unable to complete the eight-week commitment, please contact the Mentorship Committee as soon as possible. We will work to reassign your mentee so their progress isn't interrupted.

What if I can’t get in touch with my mentee or we are having "personality" issues? Professionalism is the cornerstone of this program. If a mentee is unresponsive, misses meetings without notice, or if there is a breach of the Code of Conduct, please reach out to the Mentorship Committee. We are here to mediate or, if necessary, terminate the pairing to protect your time.

How and when is the $150 honorarium paid? The honorarium is a token of our appreciation for your time. It is processed and sent to you via e-transfer upon the successful completion of the eight-week program and the submission of a brief final check-in report.

Will this mentorship be publicized? With your permission, we’d love to highlight our mentors on the CWC website and in our newsletter. It’s a great way to showcase your leadership within the Canadian crime writing community.