APPRENTICESHIPS 2010 – Frequently asked questions

Are the Apprenticeships open to non-UK residents?
The sole criteria for application is that you must have completed or almost completed a first draft of a novel. Non-UK residents should however bear in mind that the scheme is aimed at writers who will ultimately be seeking publication within the UK (and related) markets. One-to-ones are also based in the UK. (Though phone consultations are an option.) Adventures in Fiction’s regular clients include writers based in India, Australia, Singapore, Yemen, France, Spain, Ireland, Finland and Sweden.

So presumably the scheme is open to writers based in Scotland/Northern Ireland/Wales?
It certainly is. We would positively encourage these writers to apply.

What about Ireland?
Ditto. We have strong links with Ireland and the Irish publishing industry.

I want to apply in the category for children’s fiction. Please could you offer some guidelines? Do you accept picture books for example?
We accept novels aimed at children and young people from aged nine to teenage. Writers who will most benefit are those working on longer manuscripts. (Over 100 pages or 30,000 words)

As a general rule we do not accept picture books. (Though writers may submit illustrations to supplement their novel if they wish, the selection will primarily be made on the text.)

I want to apply, but I can’t afford the fees. Is it worth me applying anyway?
In addition to the awards by ACE, we also offer an additional 10% for apprentices who pay in full at the beginning of the programme. We have tried to keep the costs down and broken them down into three payments to make them more manageable. We actively encourage selected apprentices who cannot afford the fees to seek funding. There is now a gap between selection and the beginning of the programme for this purpose.

It may be worth applying to see how you get on. If you are shortlisted you will become eligible for access to Stage 1 in the form of specially discounted appraisals, one-to-ones and targeted workshops. The names of both finalists and shortlisted candidates are listed on the website.

I have only half finished the first draft of my novel. Can I apply?
The scheme is aimed at writers who have already completed (or almost completed) a first draft and would now like some input as they aim towards publication. Why not use next year’s deadline as an incentive to complete your first draft?

Are there any age restrictions?
No, there aren't, though given the level of competition we anticipate that most applicants will be over eighteen. Applicants are selected primarily on the basis of their submitted manuscript.

I have previously applied for an apprenticeship, but was unsuccessful. Does this exclude me from applying again? I have developed my novel since then. We positively encourage submissions from previous applicants who have continued to improve their work.

What level of time-commitment does the scheme require?
We treat apprentices as aspiring professionals who are prepared to make time to get their work to a publishable standard. As a guideline, you will probably need to be prepared to redraft your novel more than once.

Does the programme include a fixed timetable?
You will be negotiating your timetable with your mentor. Workshop dates are flexible to fit with a range of commitments.

Frequently asked questions for
PROSPECTIVE APPRENTICES

Before I confirm my place, can I see an outline of the programme first?
We will be handing out the full programme at our first meeting when we will also be talking it through and answering any questions. Much imitated, but never surpassed, our programme is a unique, copyrighted document available to fully paid up apprentices only.

Before I confirm my place, can I meet my proposed mentor first?
We do not meet clients or apprentices except as part of an ongoing programme. Any meetings we have with you will be informed by an initial reading of your work.

We will decide upon the best mentor for you. In some cases, we may discuss this with you first. Once your mentor has read your full manuscript and made their initial appraisal, they will contact you to arrange the first meeting. This will normally take place about a month after the first workshop.

If you have any questions about the scheme, we will be happy to try and answer them.

Before I confirm my place, can I talk to previous apprentices first?
Please feel free to contact previous apprentices yourself. Often their details are available online. We do not generally give out contact information however. There are two reasons for this. One, we try to keep admin costs down in order to keep the fees as affordable and accessible as possible. Secondly, if the contact came from us, there may be some question about the impartiality of any comments. We also offer a range of feedback on the website, including completely independent accounts of the scheme from former apprentices, Andrew Theophilou and Sheila Bugler. See News page

 

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