Updated, 1 October 2024:

• The call for applications for 2024-2025 mentees is closed and applicants have been notified of the outcome. The next call for applications will likely be in August/September 2025.

General Information

Every year, I mentor two emerging fiction writers from Singapore to help them advance their craft. I believe that the act of writing can change both ourselves and the world – even Singapore.

Writers of all identities are welcome to apply. I undertake to make mentees feel welcome, valued, safe and heard, and to provide professional advice that will empower them to work towards their artistic goals as fiction writers. I’m particularly interested in mentoring writers from communities that are underrepresented in publishing and who lack access to traditional routes and resources for development such as university programmes, government grants, and professional services (e.g. coaching or editorial consultation).

The mentorship programme is for six months and free to mentees (I volunteer my time). I speak with each mentee on an hour-long one-on-one video call every month, and the mentee can submit up to three short story drafts or novel excerpts for discussion.

Previous mentees (in alphabetical order):

• Sarah Ang

• Wisha Jamal

• Marcus Ong Kah Ho

• Jay Panicker

• Audrey Tan

• Yap Shi Quan