Apply Now! 

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Please do not pay for the mentorship until you receive a formal acceptance notification via email.

Click HERE to Apply. Early applications are encouraged as space is limited.

Any questions about this mentorship? Use the Chat Button (lower left) to talk with us. 

Instructor Nathan Dragon is a writer whose work has appeared in NOON, The Baffler, Fence, Annulet, and New York Tyrant. He was a DiTrapano Resident, Fall 2023. His forthcoming short story collection, The Champ Is Here, will be available from C4G Books later this year. Along with Raegan Bird, he is the co-founder and editor of the publishing project Blue Arrangements.

Who Should Apply

The ideal applicant may be at any stage in putting together a collection or drafting stories but should already have at least some stories on the page. The ideal applicant will come to this mentorship program ready to tackle substantial revision, both on the sentence level (diction, structure, punctuation) and on the bigger-picture level (plot, voice, style, momentum, theme). Applicants should have either one long story (5,000 words or longer) or several shorter stories/flash pieces in draft form.

Program Goals

By the end of this three-month mentorship, you will:

• Have at least one fully polished long story (or 2–3 shorter stories, or multiple flash pieces).

• Develop a plan for submitting your work to literary journals.

• Gain a clearer sense of your personal style, as well as how you might shape a potential short story collection.

This mentorship is less about writing a “perfect” story and more about discovering what you are trying to do as a writer—within individual stories and across your work as a whole—and then figuring out how best to achieve your fictional vision. When writers intensely focus on crafting short fiction, new questions often arise: How do I find the right voice and point of view for each story? How much plot do I need? How much showing vs. telling should I engage in? How experimental can or should I be? And, when compiling a collection, you might wonder if stories ought to be linked by theme or characters if they should share a consistent voice or tone, or if a variety of lengths and forms might work better.

In this mentorship, you and Nathan will collaborate to explore the answers and methods that work for you. The process aims to be both supportive and rigorous—allowing you to test new approaches while encouraging you to revise deeply and thoughtfully. Interested applicants must understand that critique, consistent work, and an eagerness to learn are necessary for real growth.

Because revision is so important, you might spend most of the mentorship on refining a single story while also doing various exercises and readings. Above all, you will learn to see your work with fresh eyes and approach the revision process as objectively as possible.

How It Works

1. Initial Consultation: Upon acceptance into the mentorship program, you’ll schedule an initial one-on-one call or Zoom session with Nathan. In this conversation, you’ll discuss your writing background, goals, and what you hope to achieve. Together, you will outline a work plan for the next three months.
   

2. Bi-Weekly Meetings & Submissions: You’ll meet with Nathan by phone or Zoom every two weeks until the end of the program. Prior to each meeting, you’ll send him:
   

• A process letter (1–3 pages) discussing your progress, successes, and concerns since the previous meeting.

• Up to 25 pages of fiction for direct feedback from Nathan (he will provide line edits, comments, and a formal letter).

3. The page count can be adjusted as needed based on your individual pace and goals.
   

4. Readings & Craft Discussion: Every two weeks, Nathan will assign readings tailored to your interests, which may include short stories, craft essays, critical reviews, interviews, or even film/visual art references. These readings will complement the work you’re doing on your fiction. You’ll discuss them during your bi-weekly meetings, alongside your process letters and story drafts.
   

5. Ongoing Communication: Nathan will be available to answer questions or offer guidance via email at any point during the mentorship. This includes working through writer’s block, brainstorming, or clarifying feedback.
   

6. Submission & Publication Planning: By the end of the program, you and Nathan will collaborate to create a plan for submitting at least one polished story to literary journals. If you’re at a stage where you’re ready to query agents about a short story collection, Nathan can also help brainstorm strategies for positioning your manuscript and drafting a query letter.
   

Three-Month Mentorship Overview

• An initial one-on-one consultation via phone or Zoom will be held to discuss your background, goals, and work plan.

• Accountability: Regular check-ins keep you on track and motivated.

• Email Support: Unlimited email access to Nathan for questions, blocks, and clarifications.

• Bi-weekly Meetings (via phone or Zoom):

• Discuss your most recent submission (up to 25 pages).

• Review line edits and formal letter feedback from Nathan.

• Delve into assigned readings and craft lessons.

• Set next steps and new writing goals.

• Monthly Assignments: Personalized readings (stories, essays, interviews, craft talks, films, etc.) geared to address your specific development areas.

• Final Submission Plan:

• At least one polished story (or a small suite of shorter pieces) ready for submission.

• Potential querying strategy if you are at the stage of seeking representation for a collection.

Mentor’s Monthly (Bi-Weekly) Input

• Phone/Zoom Consultations: These are to discuss your latest work, answer questions, and plan the next steps.

• Line Edits & Formal Letter: on your submitted work (up to 25 pages every two weeks).

• Reading Assignments: stories, essays, interviews, films, or visual art to inspire and challenge you.

• Ongoing Email Support: to address any creative or technical issues that arise.

Mentee’s Monthly (Bi-Weekly) Responsibilities

• Story Submissions: Send up to 25 pages for feedback every two weeks.

• Process Letter: Reflect on each check-in's achievements, obstacles, and goals.

• Engage with Assignments: Read/watch/listen to Nathan's recommended materials.

• Regular Communication: Stay in touch via email about your progress, questions, or concerns.

Ready to push your short fiction to the next level?

Join Nathan Dragon for a three-month intensive mentorship focusing on deep revision, craft exploration, and strategic publication planning. By the end of the program, you’ll emerge with stronger stories, a clear submission strategy, and newfound confidence in your writerly voice. We look forward to supporting you on this exciting journey!