Go Back & Fetch It
A mentoring program for Early Career Black Writers
Inspired by the success of a Black Writers Weekend Intensive we held in June 2023, More Than a Single Story is offering Go Back & Fetch It!, a mentoring program for early career Black writers. Through the generosity of the Jerome Foundation, twelve early career Black writers will deepen their individual writing visions and skills; build connections with experienced writers; and connect with other emerging writers to create a community of support and encouragement to last long after the mentorship ends.
What is it?
In the spirit of the Akan principle of Sankofa, cohort members will Go Back and Fetch It; in other words, they will learn from those with experience – both established Black writers and the powerful artistic lineage of our African ancestors – to build their futures as writers [see article about our great ancestor poet, Lucille Clifton written by Honoree’ Fanonne Jeffers https://www.poetryfoundation.org/articles/154884/go-back-and-fetch-it]
The 10-month program will open with a weekend retreat in September led by fiction author, A. Rafael Johnson and poet, AE Wynter followed by monthly sessions led by Johnson and Wynter as well as guest mentors who will expand their knowledge of craft, engage in generative workshops and peer feedback, and learn about the business side of writing among other opportunities.
This work is funded in part by the Jerome Foundation.
Who is Eligible?
The Jerome Foundation defines early career artists as those who are in their 2nd to 10th year of generative creative practice, excluding any time spent in a degree-granting program (if applicable), those who are not currently in a full-time degree program, those who have not published more than one book in any genre.
Individuals who are at the very beginning—with less than 2 years—in their career as a generative artist are not eligible to apply. Likewise, artists with more than 10 years of experience creating and presenting work are not eligible to apply.
Application
Due to limited space, we can only accept 12 participants.
DEADLINE: June 30, 2025
Selected participants will be notified by July 30, 2025
