Are you looking for a rewarding and personalized experience that includes one-on-one career coaching, writing encouragement, story brainstorming, and more? Then a writing mentorship might be the perfect fit for you!
The Basics
Now accepting applications for my 2024 summer mentorship program. The program runs from June 1–August 31, 2024, and includes:
- Up to 6 hours of one-on-one coaching calls
- In-depth edit, review, and critique of up to 10,000 words of materials (novel chapters, synopsis, query, etc…)
- Regular accountability email check-ins
NEW! A La Carte Individual Mentorship Option:
- Up to 3 hours of one-on-one coaching calls
- In-depth edit, review, and critique of up to 5,000 words of materials (novel chapters, synopsis, query, etc…)
- Two email check-ins per month
Buddy Mentorship Option:
- Up to 6 hours of shared coaching calls
- In-depth edit, review, and critique of up to 10,000 words of materials per person (novel chapters, synopsis, query, etc…)
- Regular shared email check-ins
Space is extremely limited. Applications will be carefully reviewed and prayed over, and will close once all spots are filled. Those who are accepted into the summer program will be notified of acceptance no later than Wednesday, May 29, 2024. I will have a waiting list for those interested in future mentorship openings. Please note this mentorship is open to female clients only.
What other mentees are saying . . .
Signing up for Sara’s mentorship was life changing! I didn’t know what to expect going in, but I stepped out in faith and it blessed me beyond anything I could imagine. I would never have had the courage to finally submit my novel to agents, to feel confident in my writing, to start my newsletter, and to begin working on my next novel without Sara. Sara has a heart for helping others grow and I can’t recommend her mentorship program enough.”
~ Shellie Bailey
Sara Ella’s mentorship program exceeded my expectations. Not only did I glean so much wisdom and guidance from her, but her encouragement, support, and prayers along the way were a huge blessing. I feel like my stories and my career got infused with a fresh dose of hope.”
~ Denica M.
Working with Sara in her mentorship program was exactly what I needed to finally feel like I was on the right path with my writing and have confidence I could finish writing my very first book. I read writing book upon writing book to learn the craft and figure out story structure but still remained stuck in my story. I doubted whether I even had a talent for writing. At some point, investing in myself and my story was the only way I was going to move forward with a little push from Sara. Working with Sara addresses all the issues I had (from head to pen). If you’re on the fence, I’m here to tell you to just do it.”
~ Ana B.
This mentorship was the best decision of my writing life. Sara’s experience was invaluable to me as I was preparing to pitch for the first time, and her kind and encouraging personality was exactly what I needed to give me the confidence to move forward. She’s a natural-born mentor with a heart for stories, fellow writers, and Jesus that shines through in every interaction.”
~ Mariposa A.
Sara Ella is like real life magic. She exudes so much tranquility and passion. Her encouragement and knowledge are priceless! She goes above and beyond to champion YOU and your work. I am forever grateful for her prayers, her wisdom, and her work. I wish I could be a mentee for years to come!”
~ Coralie T.
Sara Ella’s mentorship was a huge blessing on both my life and my career. She provided valuable information in a variety of areas within the industry, not only to further my writing career, but also to help me craft the work/life balance I’ve been striving for. I highly recommend her as a mentor, because she’s encouraging while giving feedback to make your stories amazing.”
~ Andi G.
What does a writing mentorship look like?
I’ve laid out the basics, but you want to know what mentorship looks like on a personal level. I don’t blame you! As someone who asks a lot of questions and values attention to detail, I can certainly relate. The beauty of this mentorship program is that it’s catered to the individual author’s specific needs and goals. Perhaps you want to use our calls together to brainstorm plot problems. Let’s do that! Or maybe you want specific answers to your list of publishing questions. I am here for it—pick my brain! We can work on perfecting your in-person pitch, or talk about possible comp titles for your story. It’s all up to you!
Calls can be scheduled when is most convenient for you. Is afternoon naptime best for you, busy writer mom? I can make that happen. Would an evening call work well because you work a 9-to-5 job? Let’s find a time that fits your needs.
What if you don’t have a query letter or synopsis or even a one-sheet for me to look over? We can work around that too! Whether it means adding an extra call to your plan in lieu of that portion of the package, or including extra chapter pages for me to review, your mentorship can be customized to meet you where you’re at.
About Me
When I first started the journey to becoming a published author, I had no idea where to begin. Did I need a literary agent? Was I supposed to print my manuscript and mail it to individual publishing houses? How many words or chapters should my novel include? Should I come up with a pen name or use my real name?
I spent countless hours researching the answers to these questions and more. I felt as if I was walking into the publishing industry blind, unsure, and utterly confused (yet still incredibly hopeful).
Then a few much more experienced individuals came alongside me. They pulled me out of the deep waters I was wading and guided me in my pursuit of writing as a career. They answered my constant questions and offered practical and encouraging advice every step of the rocky way. From red-inked critiques to phone calls lamenting another rejection, my writing mentors provided me with invaluable resources and wisdom. Without their time and heart for me to succeed, I don’t know where I would be today.
Now that I’ve been part of the publishing industry for almost a decade, with six published novels on my shelf, I hope to share what I’ve learned with you. Maybe you’ve just started drafting your first novel, or maybe you’ve finished a self-edit and feel ready to enter the query trenches. Whatever stage you are at, it is my desire to offer you the same wisdom, encouragement, and guidance I received during my newbie author days. If you’re ready to take a leap forward and get serious about pursuing a writing career, fill out the application below.
Industry Experience
- Multi-published author of 6 young adult novels with Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins and Enclave Publishing
- High school creative writing instructor
- 3 years of experience as a professional copywriter and proofreader
- Experienced workshop instructor and keynote speaker for writing conferences across the country
- Editor for Enclave Publishing
- Freelance editor for 7+ years
- 5 years of experience as a social media coach and assistant
Investment
- $1500 individual mentorship
- $750 individual a la carte mentorship
- $1900 buddy mentorship (Share the mentorship with a friend and only pay $950 each. Please note that a shared mentorship does mean the 6 hours of coaching calls will be split/shared between you and your buddy. Buddies should still fill out the application individually.)
Apply for the Program
*The application for the Summer 2024 Mentorship is now OPEN. Thank you for your interest. If you would like to be added to the waitlist for future mentorship opportunities, please fill out the application and indicate you’d like to be added and contacted.*