The KYD Mentors Program is a comprehensive and structured editorial mentorship program designed to support early-career writers in the development of a long-form work of fiction or non-fiction. Several past KYD mentees have gone on to have their books published after developing their manuscripts through the program. We caught up with some of these talented writers to reflect on how the KYD Mentors Program shaped their writing and publishing journey.
Michelle See-Tho, 2022 KYD Mentee
‘I completed the KYD Mentors Program in 2022. By the end of it I had a near-finished manuscript, ready to submit to prizes. One year later (almost to the day!) my novel won the Penguin Literary Prize! I would not have been able to do it without the guidance and support of my mentor Melanie Cheng.
The KYD Mentors Program is an amazing and important service from one of Australia’s best literary journals.’
Michelle See-Tho’s novel Jade and Emerald will be published by Penguin Random House Australia in 2024.
Natasha Sholl, 2020 KYD Mentee
‘The KYD Mentors Program with Rebecca Starford came at the perfect time for me. I was halfway through my manuscript and looking for a final push to complete draft one. Rebecca was able to tailor the mentorship in line with exactly where I was at and what I wanted to achieve. Being accountable to someone else and having ‘due dates’ gave me the momentum I needed. Rebecca’s regular (and generous) feedback meant that I could focus on what was working, know exactly what wasn’t working and just get those words on the page.’
Natasha Sholl’s memoir Found, Wanting was published by Ultimo Press in February 2022.
Gina Rushton, 2021 KYD Mentee
‘I was mentored by Sarah Krasnostein in the crucial first half of writing my book The Most Important Job in the World. The mentorship was invaluable because it gave me the editorial guidance and encouragement I needed to write and deliver my book in nine months. I learned so much about the rhythm and reality of writing a book on a deadline. Not many people have the luxury of getting reassurance from a non-fiction great when they’re in the grips of self doubt.’
Gina Rushton’s book The Most Important Job In The World was published by Pan Macmillan in March 2022. (This book deal was confirmed prior to the KYD mentorship but Gina was able to develop the manuscript further through the program.)
Amy Taylor, 2021 KYD Mentee
‘The KYD mentorship program was exactly what I needed after having finished my first draft. The generous, insightful and objective guidance I received allowed me to clarify what was working well and what wasn’t. I was able to return to editing my manuscript with a clear sense of direction. There are very few programs out there that offer this kind of one-on-one feedback and I’m so grateful I had the opportunity to participate.’
Amy Taylor’s novel Search History was published by Allen & Unwin in May 2023 and shortlisted for The Readings New Australian Fiction Prize in 2023.
Kim Lock, 2022 KYD Mentee
‘Working closely with Emily Maguire through a KYD mentorship was completely invaluable. The Fancies is my fifth novel but the first I had written under contract, and I was worried about losing sight of the story while writing to a deadline. Emily provided not only her wealth of experience and wise counsel, but the kind of genuine, collegial encouragement and reassurance that can only come from another writer. The KYD mentorship was a huge opportunity and an absolute career highlight. I am immeasurably grateful.’
Kim Lock’s novel The Fancies was published by HarperCollins in April 2023. (This book deal was confirmed prior to the KYD mentorship but Kim was able to develop the manuscript further through the program.)
Find more information about the program and the current mentors here.
More Mentee Testimonials
‘To any writer who is working on a debut, I say this: do the Kill Your Darlings Mentors Program. The assistance, feedback, guidance, and advice I received was remarkable. My book feels like a book now, instead of random bits and bobs.’
—2024 Mentee
‘I’ve been working on this novel for a number of years and kept hitting the same roadblocks, to the point where I felt a little helpless. Now, I have never been more confident that I will finish it. I feel like everything I’ve learned these past six months will be helpful not just with this story, but for many years to come.’
—Caris Bizzaca
‘Having recently completed a KYD mentorship I am thrilled with the whole program and the result. I worked with Melanie Cheng on a novel that I had been tinkering away at for several years. With her enthusiasm and encouragement I managed to get 50,000+ words onto paper with a much clearer and improved story. Mel really made me feel she was invested in the story and was always so insightful and positive; it was such a pleasure to work with her.’
—Lynn Peskett
‘The mentorship has been a valuable investment, not just for my manuscript, but for me too. I feel I’ve gained greater insight into myself as a writer, my self-editing processes and why I’d formed certain habits with my work.’
—Jasmin Taylor
‘This editorial mentorship gave me the extra motivation I needed to complete the latest draft of my manuscript. I found my mentor’s wisdom extremely valuable, particularly her advice on the path to publication as well as her detailed notes on my manuscript. At the end of the mentorship, I felt really positive about my novel for the first time since finishing the first draft and I have a renewed confidence in my writing ability.’
—Julia Faragher
