How should I choose my Mentor?
 

If you haven't got a specific Mentor in mind we suggest having a read of all the Mentor profiles and choosing someone who writes in a similar genre to you.

It's a good idea to do some additional research on the Mentors yourself; check out the My First Time interviews in the blog section of our website, have a look at their Twitter profiles and read through their website if they have one.

Links are provided on their Mentor Profiles, and where they have appeared on The Riff Raff Podcast, we've included links to their interviews. Check them out to get a feel for the author. 

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Will I definitely get my first choice of Mentor?
 

We do everything we can to match Mentees with their first-choice Mentor, as long as the chosen Mentor is the best person for the job. We want to pair you with the person who is best served to help you with your writing. 

Additionally, your preferred Mentor might be unavailable (due to work or life commitments) or have already reached their capacity for Mentees.

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In this event, we will do our utmost to pair you with your second or third choice Mentor - as long as they are the best person for the job. 

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If you would like to chat about your best options before submission, drop Amy an email. 

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The Riff Raff reserve the right to intervene in the selection process if we don't feel the choices you have made will help you get the most out of the experience. 

Our priority is you, and we want to ensure you get every last little drop of guidance and advice from an author with the most relevant experience to your aims and writing project. 

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Riff Raff Mentors may also elect not to work with certain Mentees if they don't feel they can be of use. Should this scenario arise, we will work with you directly to match you with the perfect Mentor. 

 

Why do I have to submit a writing sample and book summary?
 

Your sample and book summary allow us to gain insight into what stage of the journey you are at and what your project aims are. We want to make sure that the programme is right for you.

These documents also help us to ensure you will be matched with the right person, and gives your potential Mentor a chance to check out your style to establish if and how they can help you. 

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How much does The Riff Raff Mentoring Scheme cost?

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The fee is £750 for three-months, or £1,375 for six-months. We've done extensive research to make sure the price is competitive and offers both you and your Mentor real value for money.

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If you would like to work with an author, but this is a little out of your price range, check out the Manuscript Shakedown where you can have an author critique your work starting from £150.

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A number of our author mentors offer low-cost mentoring. If you would like to be considered for this, drop me an email at oi@the-riffraff.com. 

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What happens after I apply?
 

Upon application, we will get back to you within 30-days to let you know whether you have been successful.

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Will I definitely be accepted if I apply?
 

Anyone can apply for The Riff Raff Mentoring Scheme but it is our job to ensure you're at the right stage of your writing journey to get the most out of it. As an absolute minimum we require prospective Mentees to have 5,000 words of a story or book written as this is what you will submit to your Mentor for feedback once you have been accepted.

 

We highly recommend working on three or six separate 5,000 word sections during the Mentoring, in order to receive feedback on the most amount of words. Ideally this would be the three chapters that you plan on submitting to agents for consideration if you're doing the three months, and more if you're doing six-months. If you wish you can work on the same section of text for the duration of the Mentoring, but we set deadlines for a reason - so that you can work on producing more work. To get the most out of the service, try to submit a different 5,000 words each month.   

 

Once we have reviewed your writing sample we may feel that some of our other services will be more beneficial to where you're at. The Riff Raff Mentoring Scheme is a significant investment, we want to make sure you do it at the most beneficial time. 

Check the other options out here or send us an email at oi@the-riffraff.com for more information. 

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I've been accepted! What happens now?
 

We will put you in touch with your Mentor so that you arrange a Chemistry Call at a time that suits you both. This is a chance to get to know each other and to double check that you are both happy to proceed with the Mentoring Scheme.

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At this stage, there is a small chance that you (or your Mentor) may decide not to proceed. In exceptional circumstances, there is an option to switch your Mentor, but this is something we will consider on a case-by-case basis and we do not foresee happening.

 

It's helpful to remember that Mentoring is a professional agreement and while we very much hope you get on with your Mentor, you don't need to be BFFs. The most important thing is that you can work together, can communicate clearly and feel that you are getting the most out of your Mentoring.

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What can I expect from my Mentoring sessions?
 

The Riff Raff Mentoring Scheme provides six hours of mentoring over three months: three, one-hour face-to-face sessions over Skype and three hours of writing assessment. The six month package offers double, at a discount. 

Your Mentor will provide written feedback via tracked changes in Word and will spend the face-to-face time discussing the issues that matter to you and advising you on areas to revisit, reconsider and develop.

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The content of your sessions is up to you and your Mentor to decide, based on the areas where you'd like guidance.

All Riff Raff Mentors work to a set of thorough guidelines to ensure all aspects of your writing are addressed and that there is consistency for all Mentees.

If there is something specific you would like to discuss with your Mentor, just ask! Your Mentor is here to guide, advise and respond to your needs.

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When do I pay? 

 

Once you have had your Chemistry Call, locked in dates for your first submission and first chat, you will be sent an invoice for the full payment. Your Mentor won't start working on your notes until the payment has been received. 
 

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Can I pay for The Riff Raff Mentoring Scheme in instalments?
 

In most instances, the payment must be made in one instalment. In rare circumstances, we may be able to offer staggered payments. Email Amy to discuss. 

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