Houston 2026 Mentoring Program
Feb 01, 2026 - Feb 22, 2026
Online event
Our mentorship program pairs emerging writers with experienced mentors for 8 sessions over one year. Two spots available starting March 2026. Application Deadline: Feb 22, 2026 Mentees Announced: March 15, 2026 Once you've registered, check your 'My Events' then click Meeting Info for the application link and handouts.
What Can I Expect?
The 2026 Novel Mentorship with Caroline Leech and Joy Preble will be closed Feb 22nd, and announced March 15th. Once selected, the mentors and the mentees will work together to set up a schedule for sending materials back and forth, when they will meet, and determining the goals for the mentorship. There will be eight rounds of submissions and feedback. Before the first session, you and your mentor will share goals for the collaboration and feedback.
How Much Does It Cost?
We believe every talented writer should have access to mentorship, regardless of their financial circumstances. That's why this program is entirely free to you —made possible by webinars and our generous mentors. These mentors are also professional editors, instructors, and writing coaches who offer paid services throughout the year. If you'd like to support the mentors who make this program possible, we encourage you to attend their webinars, workshops, and consider using their editorial services for your ongoing writing projects. Your support helps sustain their ability to continue giving back to our community.
Submission Instructions
After registering, you will go to Member Home, then click on 'My Events' and under this event, you will click on Meeting Info. This will provide you with the application in Google forms, and two handouts form Caroline Leech. As well as basic information, the application will ask for a short (under 150 words) pitch of your novel, a ten page writing sample (the first ten pages of your novel) and a bio. Think of it as practice for the query letter your novel will one day need. Please note, this program is reserved for people living in the Houston home region. If you are not sure if your county is part of the Houston region, check the map in the link below.
Meet Our Mentors
Caroline Leech
Caroline is a Scottish/Texan author, podcaster, and presentation/media skills coach who helps authors and illustrators present themselves in public with confidence and professionalism. Her YA novels, Wait for Me and In Another Time are published by HarperCollins, and she is currently finishing her first adult novel and revising another for middle grade readers. Through her podcast, Authors & Audiences, as well as her individual and group coaching program, webinars and speeches, Caroline helps creative literary artists identify and implement the best ways to present themselves and their books to the wide variety of audiences they face, and to have fun while they do it. She has been a member of SCBWI in Houston for the last 15 years, and you can visit Caroline at carolineleechwrites.com
Joy Preble
Joy Preble is the author of a medium-long list of young adult novels, some creepy horror short stories for grown-ups, and two recent picture books, including the award-winning Lost and Found Hanukkah from Chronicle Books. A seasoned developmental editor in multiple genres, Joy is fond of clever conversation, clever cocktails, silly jokes, and people who make her laugh, and tutors writing at Lone Star College. Visit Joy at joypreble.com or follow her on IG @joypreble
What Are The Rules?
Eligibility:
- Must be a resident of Houston's region. (See map for counties included)
- Must be a premium member of SCBWI.
- Must have a completed novel.
- Must be unagented.
NOTE: We will check resident status. If you register and are NOT a Houston region resident, your registration will be invalidated.
What You'll Get:
- 8 one-on-one mentorship sessions with an experienced writer over the course of one year
- Personalized feedback and guidance on your manuscript
- Support navigating the publishing process
How many applications will be chosen?
- Two mentees will be selected. We are accepting MG and YA
How to register:
- Click on the registration button.
- Fill out the Google form you receive after registering. Tell us about yourself, your project, and what you hope to gain from the mentorship experience
After you register:
- You should receive an email within a week of registering. You can also find your confirmation under the "Events" section of your member homepage.
- After you register, you have until 11:59pm ET on Feb 22nd to complete the Google Form that will be made available to you upon registration under the "Events" section of your member homepage. Failure to send the correctly formatted submission materials by the deadline or to follow submission instructions will invalidate your registration.
- The winners will be announced by March 15th, 2026.
Questions about registration? Please email SCBWI-Hou's Mentorship Programmer, Sam Kelty ([email protected]).