KidLit Author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris on the value of mentorship programs
- Aida Lilly
- Feb 2, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 8, 2023
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris is a kidlit author, purveyor of dad-jokes, wonderfully kind human, and The Word's Program Deputy. But long before joining us here, Alyssa was one of the recipients of our annual Editor-Writer mentorships!
Alyssa is a mover and shaker in the writing world, and on her journey she's had multiple mentorships (and a drive that just won't quit).
Read Alyssa's article about the value of mentorship programs for writers and to see a list of mentorships that are available.
Here are some of Alyssa's key thoughts on the value of mentorship--Read the article for more!
"Who better to learn from than someone who has already done it successfully?"
A mentor can help shed light on some of those opaque aspects of the biz--plus it doesn't hurt to have a partner to let you know what's "normal."
"A mentor can provide you with insight into the business aspects of writing."
Because, yep, at the end of the day, when you're dealing with publishers, it is a business.
"There is so much information out there that it can be overwhelming and hard to know what is true. A mentor can help you filter out the noise."
It can definitely be easy to get sucked into the sphere of social media that is capital-P Publishing, and having author-friends is both great and muddying in some ways.
"Writing is quite solitary but working with a mentor prepares you for the collaborative nature of working with an editor."
Learning how to collaborate and share also lets you learn how to work better and without hard feelings.
"My mentors helped me connect with other authors and build community."
Having folks to celebrate with and commiserate with--isn't that what being a human is all about?
We host our Editor-Writer Mentorship annually in the spring!
Want to know when the 2023 program opens? Get latest via our socials:
This is an insightful and inspiring discussion highlighting how mentorship programs play a crucial role in shaping emerging voices in children’s literature. Alyssa Reynoso-Morris’s perspective beautifully emphasizes the importance of guidance, representation, and community support in helping new writers build confidence and navigate the publishing world.
The conversation also reminds us that learning essential skills—such as How to Write References in an Assignment—is a form of mentorship in itself. Just as authors benefit from experienced guidance, students and young writers grow by understanding proper academic practices, including correct citation and ethical use of sources. These skills help build credibility, respect original voices, and strengthen one’s own work.
Overall, this piece reinforces the idea that mentorship, whether in creative writing or…
KidLit Author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris highlights an important truth about the value of mentorship programs, especially for emerging writers seeking guidance and confidence in their creative journeys. Mentorship helps authors develop skills, find their unique voice, and navigate the publishing world with clarity. Such programs also build supportive communities that encourage growth and long-term success. In a similar way, creative industries benefit from expert guidance, whether in writing or design. For example, embroidery digitizing usaservices rely on skilled professionals to mentor quality through precision, experience, and consistency, ensuring creative ideas are transformed into outstanding final results.
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I loved how the post explored the role of mentorship in the creative journey. The insight that online course takers can benefit similarly gaining guidance, community, and feedback just as mentees do really resonated with me. It reminded me that while courses often focus on solo study, the connection and support around them can make all the difference.
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