Romance Author Mentorship Program
The Romance Author Mentorship Program (RAMP) provides a unique opportunity to help prepublished authors achieve their writing aspirations, no matter their chosen publishing path—indie, traditional, or hybrid. RAMP pairs prepublished mentees with experienced, published mentors to polish the mentee’s manuscript and prepare a submission package for querying traditional publication, or for their manuscript to be ready to go to a proofreader before self-publication. Over the course of this eighteen-week program (which runs from March 2-July 15, 2027), mentees will spend sixteen weeks working closely with their mentors to revise their full manuscript, hone their submission materials, including a query letter, synopsis, and blurb, and discuss the business of writing. Mentees then have two weeks to prepare to pitch their work, including an opportunity to attend a focused workshop on pitching their manuscript to agents/editors, and work with others in the program to further sharpen their skills. Mentees are granted first choice of agents, publishers, and editors at RWA’s National Conference for the year in which they complete the program. Additionally, mentees are eligible to attend next year’s RWA’s Indie Author and Traditional Author Weekend online conferences featuring award-winning and best-selling self-published authors, freelance experts, and more, free of charge. Our goal is for RAMP mentees to have accurate information about different publishing paths, so all mentees are highly encouraged to participate in both events! Mentors have the choice of attending either IAW or TAW free of charge, depending on which conference best suits their interests. Please note, RAMP is only open to RWA members in good standing with completed romance manuscripts, and the program focuses on both traditional and indie publishing. MEET THE 2027 RAMP MENTORS - COMING SOON!
About RAMPRWA’s Romance Author Mentorship Program (RAMP), was conceived in 2019 after initial consultation with Pitch Wars founder Brenda Drake. The program was designed specifically for published romance authors who wanted to give back to the community and prepublished authors who wanted the guidance and wisdom of an experienced, published author to help them on their path to publishing. Building CommunityRWA’s primary aim with RAMP is to create a robust community for writers to learn from and support each other. Mentees: Once selected, mentees will be subscribed to a forum where they can share advice, resources, and encouragement. We will also be having regular chats and check-ins via Zoom to network and build community, and an event at the National Conference. Mentors: Mentors also have their own dedicated forum to interact with each other, share advice, resources, and encouragement during the mentoring process. We will also be having regular chats and check-ins via Zoom to network and build community, and an event at the National Conference. Click here to apply as a mentor
Eligibility: Who can participate?The RAMP program is only open to RWA members in good standing. Mentees: RWA PRO, General, or Associate-Writer members who are prepublished. With regard to being “prepublished,” RAMP mentorship is open to RWA members who have not accepted a publishing contract for, or self-published, a work of original romantic narrative prose of 20,000 words or more under any pen name. A romantic narrative in any fiction genre includes a central love story and an emotionally satisfying ending that is happily ever after or happily for now. With regard to being a published author writing in other genres (i.e., not romance, such as cozy mysteries, children’s, sci-fi, etc.), as long as your previously published work is not considered a romance you are eligible to apply for RAMP. Mentors: RWA members who are General PAN, PAN-Eligible, PAN-Provisional, or PAN-Equivalent.
Applying to RAMP: How do I participate?Mentor: Applications open October 2, 2026, and close October 26, 2026. Click here to apply as a mentorMentee: Applications open November 20, 2026, and close December 22, 2026. The RAMP Process: What to expect and how it works.After mentors are chosen by the RAMP Committee, mentee applicants will be able to review the mentor bios and their wish lists. They will then choose the top three (3) mentors that best represent their publishing goals. Applicants must complete the online application for RAMP and upload the required materials before the submission window closes. They will be first vetted by the RAMP Committee to ensure they are complete and within the scope of the program, then given to mentors for review and consideration. (Note that the RAMP Committee may reach out with questions related to verifying eligibility, if needed.) Each mentor will select one or two mentees they feel would benefit from their expertise. Mentors will then work with their mentees on a full manuscript revision, a query letter, a 50-word pitch, a synopsis, a back cover blurb, and answer questions about the business of writing and reaching the mentees publishing goals. The eighteen (18) week program culminates in an in-person pitch event at RWA’s National Conference. Click here to apply as a mentorThe RAMP Process: 2026-2027 Schedule
Note: Dates may be subject to change, but application dates and announcements will not occur earlier than those dates listed above.
RAMP MentorsIf you're looking for a way to give back to the romance writing community and have advice and insight you'd love to share, we encourage you to apply to become a RAMP Mentor! While mentorship is a commitment—of time and of energy—the rewards that come with lifting up your fellow writers and becoming part of their success story are invaluable. Read on to find out the ins and outs of mentoring through RWA's Romance Author Mentorship Program. Click here to apply as a mentorMEET THE 2027 RAMP MENTORS - COMING SOON!Application PeriodThe Mentor application period is open from October 2nd - October 26th, 2026 Click here to apply as a mentorEligibilityRWA members who are General PAN, PAN-Eligible, PAN Provisional, or PAN-Equivalent are eligible to apply to be RAMP Mentors. Mentor applications will be reviewed and selected by the RAMP Committee. Mentor BenefitsIn addition to the satisfaction of giving back to your community, each mentor will receive:
Process, Expectations, and the CommitmentOnce selected, mentors’ wish lists (more on this can be found below) and a link to their “about page” on their website will be posted for potential mentees to review. After the close of the mentee submission period, the RAMP Committee will review the applications to verify the eligibility and completeness of each submission. Mentors will then receive a link to a folder containing the applications of the mentees who wish to work with them, their submission materials, synopsis, and completed manuscript. Please note that we use Google Drive for this. If a directed submission to a specific mentor doesn’t resonate with them, it will move on to the mentee’s next choice of mentor, and then finally to a folder based on its sub-genre for general consideration. Over the course of several weeks, mentors will review mentees’ applications. At the conclusion of this period, they will select one or two mentees to work with. Once a mentee(s) is selected, the mentor will spend sixteen weeks working with their mentee(s). Minimally, RAMP mentors are expected to:
Optionally, mentors may want to perform a final read-through of their mentee's manuscript. The final two weeks of the program are reserved for learning how to pitch, in which industry experts will provide in-depth guidance and mentees will have an opportunity to practice with other program participants. If you have questions, please Contact RWA or check out our Mentor FAQs below. Additional Information for Mentors: What’s in a Wish List?A wish list contains all the information potential mentees will need in order to determine if you are the right person to submit their manuscript to. Think about an agent’s MSWL. A wish list will help them get to know you, what your strengths are, what you’re looking for in a manuscript, what you’re not looking for in a manuscript, and maybe a little about the type of mentee you think you’d work well with. Some information you can include:
Mentor FAQsDo I have to be an RWA member? Do I have to be agented or have prior mentor experience to apply? What if I am not interested in any of the mentee submissions I receive? Can I request more information from my mentee applicants? What if I choose the same mentee as another mentor? What if I am selected and can't complete the mentor requirements? What if I can't get in touch with my mentee or am having other issues? Click here to apply as a mentor
RAMP MenteesRWA’s Romance Author Mentorship Program is here to help members RAMP up their writing career! If you are prepublished and need some guidance to make your latest manuscript the best it can be, we encourage you to apply to become a RAMP mentee! Application PeriodThe mentee application period is open from November 20 - December 22, 2026. EligibilityRWA PRO, General, and Associate-Writer Members who have not been a previous RAMP mentee. Applicants must be prepublished, which for purposes of the RAMP program means RWA members who have not accepted a publishing contract for, or self-published, a work of original romantic narrative prose of 20,000 words or more under any pen name. A romantic narrative in any fiction genre includes a central love story and an emotionally satisfying ending that is happily ever after or happily for now. Applicants must have a completed, polished manuscript that is not out on submission to an agent or editor at the time of entry. “Polished” means the manuscript has gone through a professional editorial process (critique partners, beta readers, a freelance editor, etc.). The mentor’s job is to work with their mentee to make their manuscript the best it can be—not to edit it from the ground up. Mentee BenefitsIn addition to creating lasting connections within the writing community, each mentee will:
Application Submission RequirementsApplicants may only submit one manuscript for RAMP consideration. Submitted manuscripts must:
RAMP’s stance of the use of AI: The Romance Author Mentorship Program (RAMP) is designed to support mentees in developing their skillset as romance writers so they can make informed decisions about how to polish and pitch their creative work. In order for mentors to effectively assist mentees in refining their unique voice and deepening their understanding of the craft of writing, it is imperative that the submission materials accurately reflect the author’s abilities and style. To that end, as this program is intended to be educational, the use of generative AI is prohibited. This stipulation is meant to allow for the partnership between mentors and mentees to be more authentic and help develop the mentee’s understanding of storytelling and voice. RAMP believes that giving an understanding of the value and necessity of human authorship and originality in creative works is imperative for new authors just launching into their careers. In light of this objective, all potential mentees must attest that their submission’s substantive content is free of AI-generated material. This includes, but is not limited to, the manuscript, submission materials, including the query letter and/or book blurb, and synopsis. Please note that while narrative and stylistic choices must be original human work, AI assistive tools, such as spelling and grammar checkers, or copy editing that does not interfere with the author’s voice are not prohibited. This policy applies to the RAMP Program; other RWA contests, programs, and opportunities may have different AI policies. Required Submission MaterialsApplicants must upload the following on their application, each as separate PDF Files:
Resources to Help You ApplyWriting a Synopsis: RWA2018 Audio: Writing Synopses that Grip Editors with Julia Kelly and Alisha Rai Writing a Query: Formatting a Manuscript: What to expect with the RAMP selection processBefore the mentee application opens, potential mentees will be able to review the bio and wish list of participating mentors. Applicants are encouraged to research which mentor would be most appropriate for them in the same way they would an agent or publisher. Applicants must complete an application and submit the required materials as listed under “Required Submission Materials.” Mentors will review the application, query letter and/or book blurb, story synopsis, and the completed manuscript before selecting a mentee with whom they wish to work. All applicants will be notified via email of their status no less than 24 hours prior to the announcement of selected mentees on February 22, 2027. Please note: Not all mentee applicants will be chosen by a mentor, and the final choice of mentee is at the sole decision of the mentor. What to expect if selected as a RAMP MenteeSelected mentees will work with their mentors over the course of sixteen weeks to polish their manuscript, prepare their submission materials, and learn about the business of writing and publishing. The final two weeks of the program are dedicated to learning how to effectively pitch your work to agents/editors. The goal at the end of this period is for the mentee to have a manuscript and pitch package ready to submit to an editor or agent, or ready to go to a copy editor or proofreader before self-publication. Please note that if selected as a mentee you agree that:
What to Expect from Your Mentor if selected as a RAMP MenteeMinimally, RAMP mentors are expected to:
Optionally, mentors may want to perform a final read-through of their mentee’s manuscript. The Big Events for RAMP Mentees to participate in!The pitch event at RWA’s 2027 National Conference: RAMP 2027 culminates in the opportunity to pitch at the RWA National Conference. Mentees may pitch in person or virtually. Indie & Traditional Author Weekends: RAMP mentees who complete the full eighteen (18) weeks will receive free registration to RWA’s next Indie Author and Traditional Author Weekends. These 2-day, virtual mini conferences are an opportunity to gain a realistic working knowledge of what goes into traditionally and self-publishing a romance novel, develop strategies to set yourself up for success, meet some major players in the publishing industry, and get straight answers to your questions about marketing a romance novel that sells. Mentee FAQsWhat if my manuscript isn’t complete? Do you need to be an RWA member to qualify for RAMP? I’m a published author; am I still eligible for RAMP? If I pick a specific mentor, am I guaranteed to be matched with them if I’m selected for the program? If I’m not picked for the program, can I apply again? What if I’m accepted and have to bow out of the program due to personal reasons? Can I use AI in the creation of my submission? What if I don’t have any social media or a website? |