Giving Back as a Mentor: An Opportunity to Receive, As Well.

 By Lisa Malice, Ph.D.

One morning, not long ago, Mystery Writers of America (MWA) announced a new program in need of volunteers, a mentorship program for emerging writers. At first, I intended to disregard the email. After all, I’m a debut author of one psychological thriller, Lest She Forget, not a seasoned one with a shelf full of successful books to my credit. Moreover, I’m struggling to finish my second thriller. How could I possibly be of value to a writer whose journey is not too far behind my own?

To be sure, I’m always quick with one answer when asked for advice from those toiling along on their pathway to write, publish, and sell their first mystery, thriller, or suspense novel--"the best way to reach one’s publishing goals is to be active in the crime writing community via organizations and conferences.” This message, in fact, was the focus of two keynote conferences speeches I delivered this year, the first at the Venice (Florida) Book Fair and Writers Festival (below, right, the other at Killer Nashville (below, left). 

Still. serving as a mentor focused on the specific needs of a writer still working on that first book sounded beyond my proficiencies. But as I considered my publishing path, I realized my experiences, both the wonderfully productive and the awfully frustrating, could help someone.  So, I submitted my name and desire to work with a writer ready to find that agent or publisher.

As it turned out, my mentee was already querying agents and not getting any traction, just as I’d experienced early on in my publishing journey. I read her manuscript and immediately knew why. Like me early on, her thriller had a slow opening, a heroine who needed more depth to her background and internal dialogue consistent with the story’s stalker theme, and too many POVs characters tamping down the mystery and suspense of the plotline. She was excited to get my feedback and willing to set aside her search for an agent to rework her story.

I paid a well-credentialed developmental editor a big chunk of change for this same feedback, and it was great advice that fostered a rewrite of my story that finally landed me an agent and a publisher.

As we discussed opportunities for reworking her story (while emphasizing to the need to keep it her story), I realized my suggestions applied to me and my foundering work-in-progress—I, too, needed to eliminate one POV character and build more intensity around another. It was also gratifying to know that my own experience could help an aspiring novelist work through the issues keeping her story from being the best it could be, one that would intrigue not just agents, editors, and readers (like me).  

Lesson learned for me—those who giveth of themselves, also receive in so many ways. I encourage all to consider volunteering to mentor. In addition to MWA, Sisters in Crime also has a mentoring program. The Guppy Chapter also has a program called Fantasy Agent. You receive 30 pages of a manuscript and give advice to the unpublished author. 

Learn more about the value of mentorship for both parties at www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/why-is-a-mentor-important

How has being a mentor or mentee benefited to your life and goals?