Through an open call for submissions released in the spring, we select 15 to 25 emerging writers to participate in our free mentoring program. The works are shared with the public through our multidisciplinary performance reading series and our annual anthology TOK: Writing the New Toronto.
Mentoring Program
Our main mentorship program is an annual program that takes place over the summer and into the early fall. Through an open call for submissions released in the spring, we select 15 to 25 emerging writers to participate in our free four-month mentorship program: each selected emerging writer has the opportunity to work with one of the established writer-mentors. We then share the works of both the established and emerging writers with the public through our multidisciplinary performance reading series and our annual anthology TOK: Writing the New Toronto.
How to Apply for the Mentoring Program
We send out an open call for submissions every spring for our main mentorship program. At that time, we accept submissions from emerging GTA writers of short stories, creative non-fiction, and poems. We ask that submissions feature the greater Toronto region in some way, are original and not previously published, and are written in English.
You are ineligible if you have had a full-length manuscript of your own published (appearances in magazines and anthologies do not affect eligibility) or have participated in the Diaspora Dialogues mentorship program within the last 2 years.
Program participants must also be living in the greater Toronto region, which includes York, Halton, Peel and Durham.
Fiction or creative nonfiction submissions should be 3,000 words or less. Poetry submissions may include up to 5 poems with each poem being no more than 75 lines. We allow only one submission per category, but you may submit to more than one category. (Example: You cannot submit two short stories, but you can submit a short story and a play.)
To ensure that all emerging writers are selected on the quality of their work, all open call submissions are read blind by a jury. This means that the jury does not see the names or any identifying details of the applicants. The jury is made up of Diaspora Dialogues staff and a selection of Toronto writers, which changes every year.
Our call for submissions is currently closed for this year. Please check back in the early spring, or join our mailing list and we will keep you informed.
What to Expect
During this mentorship, the emerging writer/mentee works on their piece and receives a few rounds of feedback from her or his mentor via correspondence. At the end of the program in the fall, the mentee is welcome to submit the work for consideration for our anthology TOK: Writing the New Toronto. We also give each writer at least one (paid) opportunity to read their work in Diaspora Dialogues’ popular multi-disciplinary performance series, which takes place across the city throughout the year in partnership with venues and festivals like Luminato, The Word on the Street, Nuit Blanche, Harbourfront, Toronto Public Library and others.
FAQ
If I have self-published my work in the past, am I ineligible to apply to the mentoring program?
No, you are still eligible to apply.
I'm working on a novel. Can I submit a chapter of it in order to be considered for the program?
We discourage chapters or excerpts from longer work because the idea behind the mentorship program is that writers will complete it with a polished stand-alone piece ready for submission to journals and magazines or for possible inclusion in TOK: Writing the New Toronto.
Is everyone who is accepted into the program published in TOK?
No. Being considered for TOK is a separate and optional process. Due to space constraints, not all pieces can be published in TOK.
How do I become a mentor for Diaspora Dialogues?
We are always looking for possible mentors, both for the emerging writer program and our youth programs. Get in touch with Jordan at jordan@diasporadialogues.com.
