Juliann Rich announces FREE annual mentorship program.

Why would an established author mentor an aspiring author each year at no cost?

Juliann Rich, award-winning author of four novels for young adult readers, recently announced she has decided to mentor one aspiring writer per year at no cost in gratitude for the many mentors who shaped her growth as a writer. She recounts a time when she was ready to delete her entire manuscript. Her primary mentor, Ben Barnhart of Milkweed Editions, taught her how to write herself out of "First Draft Panic," as she calls it. That nearly deleted manuscript evolved into Caught in the Crossfire, her first novel, for which she won an Emerging Writer of the Year Award.

"I doubt very much I would have become a published author without Ben Barnhart," Rich said. "I believe there is so much to be gained by everyone when an experienced writer shares knowledge with an aspiring writer. We may log our 'butt in the chair time' alone, but we all thrive in community."

Rich reminds writers who wish to win the 2026 mentorship with her that the deadline to submit an application is December 31st, 2025 at midnight. To successfully apply, applicants must follow the steps outlined below.

2026 Mentorship Application Requirements

1. compose responses to the topics "What's your story?" and "New Year, New Opportunities."

Feel free to include any other salient information pertaining to your application for this mentorship.

2. Attach a 3 - 5 page writing sample, ideally from your work in progress.

Always send your writing sample as an attachment with your application.

REMINDER

Submit your applications by clicking the "Apply for the 2026 Mentorship" button at the bottom left of this page. A contact form will open for you to send your responses and attachments directly to Juliann Rich.

If you have any questions or encounter any difficulty during the application process, please email Juliann at juliannrichbooks@gmail.com.

NOTE: Any entries containing AI generated or plagiarized text will be disqualified. An AI and plagiarism detector will be used in the application review process.

Ready to apply? Email your answers AND YOUR WRITING SAMPLE!

Hello. I'm Juliann.

Thank you for applying for the 2026 Mentorship Program. I will choose the mentee I believe I can help the most at this moment in time. I will notify you personally of my decision.

What can you do while you wait to hear from me? Continue to hone your craft. Join a writer's group. If none exists near you, start one and become a leader in your writing community! Persevere. Continue to believe in yourself and the book that lives within you.

From one writer to another,

Juliann Rich

Juliann Rich

Juliann Rich

Juliann Rich announces FREE annual mentorship program.

Why would an established author mentor an aspiring author each year at no cost?

2026 Mentorship Application Requirements

1. compose responses to the topics "What's your story?" and "New Year, New Opportunities."

2. Attach a 3 - 5 page writing sample, ideally from your work in progress.

REMINDER

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 AT MIDNIGHT!

Who are you? WhAT do you love about writing?

Give a brief overview of your work in progress.

It's is almost here!

It’s a wrap!

Ready to apply? Email your answers AND YOUR WRITING SAMPLE!

Hello. I'm Juliann.

Apply for the 2026 Mentorship