Las Hermanas Mentorship Program
Las Hermanas is a selection-based mentorship program for traditionally unpublished Latinx kidlit writers and illustrators. It will connect unpublished creatives with current Madrinas. Mentees will benefit from the craft and industry experience of their mentor and will have the opportunity to ask for publishing/marketing related advice and/or receive help with a specific manuscript.
Mentees should be Latinx women and otherwise marginalized people (whose gender identity aligns with femininity) authors and/or illustrators who would like guidance on a specific Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade or Young Adult project for a period of six months.
Priority will be given to marginalized/underrepresented community members and those who can demonstrate advanced progress on their projects.
Those previously published by indie presses and are currently agented but have not sold a project are eligible to apply. (If you've sold or are currently in the process of signing a contract for a project with a publishing house, you are not eligible).
Most mentors will be available for 1-2 hours weekly. Specific availability will be determined before the beginning of the mentorship during an interview period.
*READ BEFORE YOU APPLY*
Mentees should be Latinx women and otherwise marginalized people (whose gender identity aligns with femininity) authors and/or illustrators who would like guidance on a specific Picture Book, Chapter Book, Middle Grade or Young Adult project for a period of six months.
Priority will be given to marginalized/underrepresented community members and those who can demonstrate advanced progress on their projects.
Those previously published by indie presses and are currently agented but have not sold a project are eligible to apply. (If you've sold or are currently in the process of signing a contract for a project with a publishing house, you are not eligible).
Most mentors will be available for 1-2 hours weekly. Specific availability will be determined before the beginning of the mentorship during an interview period.
*READ BEFORE YOU APPLY*
- Please consider if you have the time and energy to commit to a 6-month membership. This mentorship runs every year, if you do not have the time or energy, there's always next year.
- Are you ready for critical feedback? Feedback and conversation are a big part of this mentorship. Ask yourself if you're ready for that challenge.
- We highly recommend having a specific project and achievable goals you want to work on. We've noticed over the past rounds that this does influence how well the mentorship goes.
- We only accept projects in English as we don't have enough mentors available who are comfortable mentoring in another language.
- Our knowledge is limited to traditional print publishing within the United States and in the English language. Therefore we cannot offer guidance in how to publish, market, or sell your story outside of these parameters.
- We are a group of traditionally published authors - if you are seeking help in self-publishing - we are not the best group to ask.
- If you're applying while currently agented, please talk with your agent regarding mentorships and consider whether you want another voice in your current editorial process.
Due to the growth of the program, we have decided to narrow down the mentorship rounds to once a year.
The 6-month Hermanas Mentorship program will take place every April 1 - September 30.
The 2023 application period is CLOSED. The 2024 application period will open February 1, 2024.
Meet the Hermanas...
We are excited to work with these talented writers - get to know them by clicking on their social profiles below!
2023 HERMANAS
Amanda Freerksen - Twitter
Brenda Miller - Twitter
Carolina J. Gómez - Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok
Cristina A. Perez - Instagram
Estefani A. Europe - Website | Instagram
Giselle Abreu - Twitter | Instagram
Iris Quiroga - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Marisa Catalina Casey - Website | Twitter
Maritere R. Bellas - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Nelly Nuñez - Twitter | Instagram
Patricia Pierce - Instagram
René Peña-Govea - Instagram | YouTube
Rosanna María Salcedo - Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
S. Salazar - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Samantha Campas - Twitter
Selisa Loeza - Website | Twitter | Instagram 1 | Instagram 2
Siena Ferreyra-MacPete
Talitha Moniz McMillion - Website | Instagram
2023 HERMANAS
Amanda Freerksen - Twitter
Brenda Miller - Twitter
Carolina J. Gómez - Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok
Cristina A. Perez - Instagram
Estefani A. Europe - Website | Instagram
Giselle Abreu - Twitter | Instagram
Iris Quiroga - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Marisa Catalina Casey - Website | Twitter
Maritere R. Bellas - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Nelly Nuñez - Twitter | Instagram
Patricia Pierce - Instagram
René Peña-Govea - Instagram | YouTube
Rosanna María Salcedo - Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
S. Salazar - Website | Twitter | Instagram
Samantha Campas - Twitter
Selisa Loeza - Website | Twitter | Instagram 1 | Instagram 2
Siena Ferreyra-MacPete
Talitha Moniz McMillion - Website | Instagram
2022 HERMANAS
Aimé Casillas - Instagram
Amaris Castillo - Twitter | Website
Annabelle Estrada - Twitter | Website
Aurora Dominguez - Twitter | Instagram
Delia Ruiz - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tik Tok | Website
Gloria Muñoz - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Jackie Morera - Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website
Jaclyn Vásquez - Instagram | Website
Jasminne Paulino - Twitter
Jessica Montalvo-Jackson - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Julia N. Clauson
Liana Handler - Twitter | Instagram
Mariana Perez - Twitter
Ofelia Montelongo - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Roxsy Lin - Instagram
Shanelle Serrato - Instagram | Website
Steena Hernandez - Twitter | Website
Tara Espinosa Connell - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Aimé Casillas - Instagram
Amaris Castillo - Twitter | Website
Annabelle Estrada - Twitter | Website
Aurora Dominguez - Twitter | Instagram
Delia Ruiz - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Tik Tok | Website
Gloria Muñoz - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Jackie Morera - Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website
Jaclyn Vásquez - Instagram | Website
Jasminne Paulino - Twitter
Jessica Montalvo-Jackson - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Website
Julia N. Clauson
Liana Handler - Twitter | Instagram
Mariana Perez - Twitter
Ofelia Montelongo - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Roxsy Lin - Instagram
Shanelle Serrato - Instagram | Website
Steena Hernandez - Twitter | Website
Tara Espinosa Connell - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
FALL 2021 HERMANAS
(Mentorship period of June - December)
Adriana M. Martínez Figueroa - Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Website
Alexandra Someillan - Twitter | Instagram
Anna Lapera - Instagram
Arlene Abundis - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Ashley Jean Granillo - Twitter | Website
Belen Medina Cabot - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Brenda Panella-Dominguez - Twitter | Facebook
Carla Mino - Twitter | Instagram
Carolina Ixta Navarro-Gutiérrez - Twitter | Instagram
Catalina Colibrí - Website
Gina Gonzales - Twitter
Ines Lozano - Twitter | Instagram | Clubhouse | Website
Jessica Gonzalez - Instagram | Website
Joannie Villegas - Instagram | Facebook | Website
Julissa Mora - Instagram | Website
Kzinga Jimenez - Twitter | Instagram
Michelle López - Twitter | Instagram
Samantha Guzmán - Twitter | Website
Valerie Jauregui - Twitter
Verena Rodriguez Saavedra - Instagram | Facebook
Yoly Fernández
(Mentorship period of June - December)
Adriana M. Martínez Figueroa - Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Website
Alexandra Someillan - Twitter | Instagram
Anna Lapera - Instagram
Arlene Abundis - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Ashley Jean Granillo - Twitter | Website
Belen Medina Cabot - Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Brenda Panella-Dominguez - Twitter | Facebook
Carla Mino - Twitter | Instagram
Carolina Ixta Navarro-Gutiérrez - Twitter | Instagram
Catalina Colibrí - Website
Gina Gonzales - Twitter
Ines Lozano - Twitter | Instagram | Clubhouse | Website
Jessica Gonzalez - Instagram | Website
Joannie Villegas - Instagram | Facebook | Website
Julissa Mora - Instagram | Website
Kzinga Jimenez - Twitter | Instagram
Michelle López - Twitter | Instagram
Samantha Guzmán - Twitter | Website
Valerie Jauregui - Twitter
Verena Rodriguez Saavedra - Instagram | Facebook
Yoly Fernández
FALL 2020 HERMANAS
(Mentorship period of October - March 2021)
Paulina Alexi
Andrea Beatriz Arango - Instagram
Judith Valdes Breidenstine - Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Norma Cárdenas - Twitter | Instagram
Angela Peña Dahle - Twitter | Website
Nathalie Djurdjevic - Twitter | Instagram
Maria Dones - Twitter
Sara Andrea Fajardo - Twitter
Indiana Ferrera - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Andrea Floren - Instagram | Website
Mona Alvarado Frazier - Twitter
Irena Freitas - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Cat Galeano - Twitter | Instagram
Merce Garcés - Instagram | Website
Maria Ally Gil - Twitter | Instagram
Romy Natalia Goldberg - Twitter | Website
Haydil Henriquez
Rachel S. Hobbs Gunn - Twitter | Website
Luisa Leal - Instagram | Website
Yeneisy Piñeiro - Twitter | Instagram
Lemny Pérez, M.A.,Psy.D - Instagram
Vanessa Ramos - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Mabelle Reynoso - Twitter | Instagram
Amy Rocha
Elba Luz - Twitter
Paola Santos - Twitter | Facebook
Ellen Armendáriz Stumbo - Twitter | Facebook | Website
Katherine Trejo - Instagram
Silvia Rodriguez Vega -Twitter | Website
(Mentorship period of October - March 2021)
Paulina Alexi
Andrea Beatriz Arango - Instagram
Judith Valdes Breidenstine - Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Norma Cárdenas - Twitter | Instagram
Angela Peña Dahle - Twitter | Website
Nathalie Djurdjevic - Twitter | Instagram
Maria Dones - Twitter
Sara Andrea Fajardo - Twitter
Indiana Ferrera - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Andrea Floren - Instagram | Website
Mona Alvarado Frazier - Twitter
Irena Freitas - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Cat Galeano - Twitter | Instagram
Merce Garcés - Instagram | Website
Maria Ally Gil - Twitter | Instagram
Romy Natalia Goldberg - Twitter | Website
Haydil Henriquez
Rachel S. Hobbs Gunn - Twitter | Website
Luisa Leal - Instagram | Website
Yeneisy Piñeiro - Twitter | Instagram
Lemny Pérez, M.A.,Psy.D - Instagram
Vanessa Ramos - Twitter | Instagram | Website
Mabelle Reynoso - Twitter | Instagram
Amy Rocha
Elba Luz - Twitter
Paola Santos - Twitter | Facebook
Ellen Armendáriz Stumbo - Twitter | Facebook | Website
Katherine Trejo - Instagram
Silvia Rodriguez Vega -Twitter | Website
SPRING 2020 HERMANAS
(Mentorship period of March-September)
Melanie Pacheco Ayala - Twitter | Instagram
Sheila Colón-Bagley - Twitter
Meagan Cahuasqui - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Isabella Capuselli - Twitter
Judith Fernandez - Twitter
Marian Flores - Facebook | Twitter
Jessica Gonzalez - Twitter | Book Instagram | Personal Instagram
Lori Keckler - Twitter
Vanessa Montalban - Website | Twitter
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris - Instagram
Luisa María M. Negret - Twitter
Claudia Pocasangre - Twitter | Instagram
Claudia Ramos - Twitter | Instagram
Maddison Rodriguez - Twitter
Jeanette Ruiz - Twitter | Instagram
Crystal Espinoza-Shanahan - Twitter
Mildred Adriana Arizpe Vicencio - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Gabriela Taboas Zayas - Twitter | Instagram
FALL 2019 HERMANAS
(Mentorship period August-February)
Melanie Marquez Adams - Twitter | Instagram
Carolina Flórez Cerchiaro - Twitter
M. M. Collins - Instagram | Twitter
Megan Karina Jensen - Twitter
Mariel Jungkunz - Twitter
Josie Melendez - Twitter | Instagram | Blog
Jessica Parra - Instagram
Sonora Reyes - Twitter
Shirley Espada Richey - Twitter | Facebook
Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez - Twitter
Angela M. Sanchez - Twitter
Stephanie Seales - Instagram
Christina Truillo - Twitter
(Mentorship period of March-September)
Melanie Pacheco Ayala - Twitter | Instagram
Sheila Colón-Bagley - Twitter
Meagan Cahuasqui - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Isabella Capuselli - Twitter
Judith Fernandez - Twitter
Marian Flores - Facebook | Twitter
Jessica Gonzalez - Twitter | Book Instagram | Personal Instagram
Lori Keckler - Twitter
Vanessa Montalban - Website | Twitter
Alyssa Reynoso-Morris - Instagram
Luisa María M. Negret - Twitter
Claudia Pocasangre - Twitter | Instagram
Claudia Ramos - Twitter | Instagram
Maddison Rodriguez - Twitter
Jeanette Ruiz - Twitter | Instagram
Crystal Espinoza-Shanahan - Twitter
Mildred Adriana Arizpe Vicencio - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Patreon
Gabriela Taboas Zayas - Twitter | Instagram
FALL 2019 HERMANAS
(Mentorship period August-February)
Melanie Marquez Adams - Twitter | Instagram
Carolina Flórez Cerchiaro - Twitter
M. M. Collins - Instagram | Twitter
Megan Karina Jensen - Twitter
Mariel Jungkunz - Twitter
Josie Melendez - Twitter | Instagram | Blog
Jessica Parra - Instagram
Sonora Reyes - Twitter
Shirley Espada Richey - Twitter | Facebook
Sonia Alejandra Rodríguez - Twitter
Angela M. Sanchez - Twitter
Stephanie Seales - Instagram
Christina Truillo - Twitter