Welcome to the
SUNHOUSE Mentorship
Welcome to the
SUNHOUSE Mentorship
Welcome to the
SUNHOUSE Mentorship
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The SUNHOUSE Summer Writing Mentorship is a 6-week, 1-on-1 online creative writing program pairing established, adult mentors with young writers aged 12 to 18.
At the SUNHOUSE Mentorship, our mission is to expand creative educational opportunities for BIPOC and low-income youth. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation of creative voices with a learning community that is as socially and financially accessible as possible. We know how formative these spaces can be, and more importantly, we know how difficult it can be for teenagers—in the face of borders and systemic barriers—to become a part of them.
For our team, learning from the mentorship of adult writers has helped define who we are as writers today, and we want to make this opportunity as accessible as possible for everyone.
We can't wait to write with you this summer.
The SUNHOUSE Summer Writing Mentorship is a 6-week, 1-on-1 online creative writing program pairing established, adult mentors with young writers aged 12 to 18.
At the SUNHOUSE Mentorship, our mission is to expand creative educational opportunities for BIPOC and low-income youth. We are dedicated to supporting the next generation of creative voices with a learning community that is as socially and financially accessible as possible. We know how formative these spaces can be, and more importantly, we know how difficult it can be for teenagers—in the face of borders and systemic barriers—to become a part of them.
For our team, learning from the mentorship of adult writers has helped define who we are as writers today, and we want to make this opportunity as accessible as possible for everyone.
We can't wait to write with you this summer.
The World of Interiors, Aug 2017. Photo by Roland Beaufre
The World of Interiors, Aug 2017. Photo by Roland Beaufre
The World of Interiors, Aug 2017. Photo by Roland Beaufre
How it works
How it works
ON THE MENTORSHIP
How it works
ON THE MENTORSHIP
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Logistics
Logistics
Logistics
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WHEN IS IT?
The 2025 mentorship will run from Saturday June 14, 2025 to Saturday July 26, 2025, for roughly six weeks.
The 2025 mentorship will run from Saturday June 14, 2025 to Saturday July 26, 2025, for roughly six weeks.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
We accept applicants who are currently 12-18 years old, or in the equivalent of 7th to 12th grade at time of applying. You do not need to be currently enrolled in a school to apply, as we recognize that there are often socioeconomic barriers to accessing education.
Applicants may be based anywhere around the world, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.
If you are slightly outside the age limit or have other concerns, please see our FAQ.
We accept applicants who are currently 12-18 years old, or in the equivalent of 7th to 12th grade at time of applying. You do not need to be currently enrolled in a school to apply, as we recognize that there are often socioeconomic barriers to accessing education.
Applicants may be based anywhere around the world, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.
If you are slightly outside the age limit or have other concerns, please see our FAQ.
We accept applicants who are currently 12-18 years old, or in the equivalent of 7th to 12th grade at time of applying. You do not need to be currently enrolled in a school to apply, as we recognize that there are often socioeconomic barriers to accessing education.
Additionally, applicants may be based anywhere around the world, regardless of nationality or citizenship status.
If you are slightly outside the age limit or have other related concerns, please see the pre-mentorship section of our FAQ.
WHAT GENRES DO YOU OFFER?
We offer studies in Poetry, Fiction, Hybrid, and Spoken Word.
This year, Hybrid is a brand new option we are offering for mentees who write across genres and want to explore and challenge the boundaries of form.
This category is perfect for those who are seeking out mentorship in two or more genres, including but not limited to: Poetry, Fiction, Spoken Word, Creative Nonfiction, Essay/Journalism, and Memoir Writing.
We offer studies in Poetry, Fiction, Hybrid, and Spoken Word.
This year, Hybrid is a brand new option we are offering for mentees who write across genres and want to explore and challenge the boundaries of form.
This category is perfect for those who are seeking out mentorship in two or more genres, including but not limited to: Poetry, Fiction, Spoken Word, Creative Nonfiction, Essay/Journalism, and Memoir Writing.
WHAT'S THE COST?
The program cost is $180, which goes entirely to paying our mentors and covering website costs. Applications are read as need-blind and upon acceptance, we are happy to provide both full and partial financial aid where needed.
The SUNHOUSE organization does not make any monetary profit. We highly prioritize financial transparency; for more information, including our philosophy and financial structure, see our About Us section.
The program cost is $180, which goes entirely to paying our mentors and covering website costs. Applications are read as need-blind and upon acceptance, we are happy to provide both full and partial financial aid where needed.
The SUNHOUSE organization does not make any monetary profit. We highly prioritize financial transparency; for more information, including our philosophy and financial structure, see our About Us section.
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With Your Mentor
With Your Mentor
With Your Mentor
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HOW WILL I LEARN FROM MY MENTOR?
The SUNHOUSE Mentorship allows you to learn 1-on-1 with a highly established, adult writer, where you meet once a week for 1-2 hours while following a uniquely individualized curriculum.
In this partnership, you’ll find someone who can offer insightful feedback on your work, introduce you to pieces that are sure to become your favorites, and answer your every question about writing as both a craft and a career.
Throughout your summer’s conversations, maybe you’ll even introduce them to a new favorite, too.
HOW WILL WE WORK TOGETHER?
At SUNHOUSE, scheduling is unique to each mentor-mentee pair, and so is the learning process. With your input, each mentor creates a thoughtfully personalized curriculum with a foundation in what you are both passionate about. This could mean deconstructing traditional narratives, exploring themes such as memory, grief, or identity, or even asking what writing means to you as a philosophy.
With an experience that’s tailored to you, you’ll never have to worry about whether your mentor truly understands the intention behind your writing or whether you’ll be able to balance creative writing with family responsibilities, jobs, and extracurricular hobbies.
WHO ARE THEY?
We’ve gathered some of the most brilliant and talented writers we know to serve as mentors.
Our mentors have been recognized by: YoungArts, Foyle Young Poets, U.S Presidential Scholars in the Arts, the MacDowell Foundation, Lambda Literary, Tin House, Goodreads, the National Youth Poet Laureate Program, and others.
Their work has been selected for and appeared in: Best of the Net, Best New Poets, POETRY, poets.org, Kenyon Review, The New York Times, American Poetry Review, Narrative Magazine, Electric Literature, and elsewhere.
To stay updated on our 2025 Mentor Cohort and see a complete list of qualifications, check out Our Mentors. Regular updates will also be posted on our Instagram.
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Community
Community
Community
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The program doesn't just end with your mentor—SUNHOUSE offers various additional creative opportunities to enrich your summer of learning and growth.
The program doesn't just end with your mentor—SUNHOUSE offers various additional creative opportunities to enrich your summer of learning and growth.
PEER WORKSHOPS
Workshops are a small and intimate setting of no more than a dozen people, designed to be the perfect space for you to let the honesty and vulnerability in your writing shine through.
In two different round-table workshops throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your literary analysis and craft skills with fellow mentees, reading, discussing, and editing each other’s work.
Workshops are a small and intimate setting of no more than a dozen people, designed to be the perfect space for you to let the honesty and vulnerability in your writing shine through.
In two different round-table workshops throughout the program, you’ll strengthen your literary analysis and craft skills with fellow mentees, reading, discussing, and editing each other’s work.
PROGRAM SERVER
In our program-wide server, you’ll foster connections with other mentees and find a community of writers that feels like home.
Our online server is a space for you to gush over stories you love, dive into questions about the revision process, and hear back from other young writers who love investigating language just as much as you do.
In our program-wide server, you’ll foster connections with other mentees and find a community of writers that feels like home.
Our online server is a space for you to gush over stories you love, dive into questions about the revision process, and hear back from other young writers who love investigating language just as much as you do.
SUPPLEMENTAL EVENTS
In a series of online open mics and special guest workshops, you’ll have the chance to fall in love with creative niches outside your curriculum—catching sparks of inspiration every step of the way.
Supplemental events last 1-2 hours each and are spaced evenly throughout the mentorship.
Guest Workshops:
Hosted by acclaimed writers outside our mentor cohort, guest workshops change every year and each one dives into a different theme, offering unique and wide-ranging perspectives on writing. Past guest workshops and hosts include: “Stella Lei on Shaping Negative Space,” “Arah Ko on Pop Culture Persona Poetry,” and “e. jin. o’ malley on To Be Inherited by Memory.”
Open Mics:
Split into two—with one featuring our mentors and another featuring our mentees—our online open mics are designed for you to show off the work you’re proud of while becoming captivated by others’.
In a series of online open mics and special guest workshops, you’ll have the chance to fall in love with creative niches outside your curriculum—catching sparks of inspiration every step of the way.
Supplemental events last 1-2 hours each and are spaced evenly throughout the mentorship.
Guest Workshops:
Hosted by acclaimed writers outside our mentor cohort, guest workshops change every year and each one dives into a different theme, offering unique and wide-ranging perspectives on writing. Past guest workshops and hosts include: “Stella Lei on Shaping Negative Space,” “Arah Ko on Pop Culture Persona Poetry,” and “e. jin. o’ malley on To Be Inherited by Memory.”
Open Mics:
Split into two—with one featuring our mentors and another featuring our mentees—our online open mics are designed for you to show off the work you’re proud of while becoming captivated by others’.
END-OF-PROGRAM FOLIO
At the end of the mentorship, we publish a one-of-a-kind SUNHOUSE Mentee Folio which includes a piece of writing by each mentee, showcasing the distinct voices and writing styles of each individual.
Typically, a folio is a short collection of writing tied together through a shared focus—found in the pieces’ themes, symbols, and/or the process that brought about their creation. At SUNHOUSE, that shared focus is your collective summer spent writing and creating new worlds.
Read through our last year’s folio here.
At the end of the mentorship, we publish a one-of-a-kind SUNHOUSE Mentee Folio which includes a piece of writing by each mentee, showcasing the distinct voices and writing styles of each individual.
Typically, a folio is a short collection of writing tied together through a shared focus—found in the pieces’ themes, symbols, and/or the process that brought about their creation. At SUNHOUSE, that shared focus is your collective summer spent writing and creating new worlds.
Read through our last year’s folio here.
What people are saying about us
TESTIMONIALS
Not only were the mentors chosen for the program absolutely exceptional (with many I was a fan of!), but so were the pairings! With the guidance of my mentor, I was able to significantly and deeply understand and improve my writing. I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that my mentor and I were extremely compatible in poetic voice and interests. I could build off my original writing foundations with their help, without ever feeling like I had to alter my personal expression. This program is definitely one of the most important and impactful experiences I've participated in on my journey growing my poetic skills and voice. I'm so extremely grateful to SUNHOUSE!
- Brian Chan
Not only were the mentors chosen for the program absolutely exceptional (with many I was a fan of!), but so were the pairings! With the guidance of my mentor, I was able to significantly and deeply understand and improve my writing. I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that my mentor and I were extremely compatible in poetic voice and interests. I could build off my original writing foundations with their help, without ever feeling like I had to alter my personal expression. This program is definitely one of the most important and impactful experiences I've participated in on my journey growing my poetic skills and voice. I'm so extremely grateful to SUNHOUSE!
- Brian Chan
Poetry Mentee
Mentored by Divyasri Krishnan
I had a fun time with Alora during this mentorship! We met for weekly meetings over Zoom. During our sessions, she gave me writing prompts and I learned different spoken word techniques. The program was very flexible because Alora allowed me to choose which days we met, and if I had any personal goals. I would recommend for anyone joining in the future to have a clear goal and a strong plan to achieve it! I had a great time getting to know Alora during the program.
- Precious Foreman
I had a fun time with Alora during this mentorship! We met for weekly meetings over Zoom. During our sessions, she gave me writing prompts and I learned different spoken word techniques. The program was very flexible because Alora allowed me to choose which days we met, and if I had any personal goals. I would recommend for anyone joining in the future to have a clear goal and a strong plan to achieve it! I had a great time getting to know Alora during the program.
- Precious Foreman
Spoken Word Mentee
Mentored by Alora Young
As a SUNHOUSE mentee, not only did I have the flexibility to work on my own schedule, but the structure itself meant that I got excellent guidance that was tailored to my own needs. My mentor was helpful, engaging, and gave me important feedback that helped me grow and blossom as a writer overall. For the price, it is an unbeatable and amazing experience!
- Akshita Krishnan
Fiction Mentee
Mentored by Nandita Naik
The SUNHOUSE mentorship was one of the best writing education experiences I’ve had—my mentor’s course curriculum was genuinely targeted & built to suit my needs, & my meetings with my mentor were one of the highlights of my summer. The workshops, readings, & open mics featured throughout the program were also high-quality & exposed to me a variety of new poetic techniques & poets. I’m delighted to have attended & learned from this mentorship.
- Ivi Hua
From workshops on pop culture poetry to eclectic mentor readings, the SUNHOUSE Mentorship fostered an unparalleled learning experience stretching far beyond the traditional classroom setting. My mentor’s syllabus was meticulously constructed and deeply intentional—truly, I’ve never felt so understood or challenged as a creative. Looking back, I can confidently say that this mentorship was not only invaluable but exceeded every expectation.
- Grace Marie Liu
From workshops on pop culture poetry to eclectic mentor readings, the SUNHOUSE Mentorship fostered an unparalleled learning experience stretching far beyond the traditional classroom setting. My mentor’s syllabus was meticulously constructed and deeply intentional—truly, I’ve never felt so understood or challenged as a creative. Looking back, I can confidently say that this mentorship was not only invaluable but exceeded every expectation.
- Grace Marie Liu
From workshops on pop culture poetry to eclectic mentor readings, the SUNHOUSE Mentorship fostered an unparalleled learning experience stretching far beyond the traditional classroom setting. My mentor’s syllabus was meticulously constructed and deeply intentional—truly, I’ve never felt so understood or challenged as a creative. Looking back, I can confidently say that this mentorship was not only invaluable but exceeded every expectation.
- Grace Marie Liu
Poetry Mentee
Mentored by Daniel Garcia
Mentored by Tyler Raso
Mentored by Tyler Raso
Mentored by Tyler Raso
As a SUNHOUSE mentee, not only did I have the flexibility to work on my own schedule, but the structure itself meant that I got excellent guidance that was tailored to my own needs. My mentor was helpful, engaging, and gave me important feedback that helped me grow and blossom as a writer overall. For the price, it is an unbeatable and amazing experience!
- Akshita Krishnan
Fiction Mentee
Mentored by Nandita Naik
From workshops on pop culture poetry to eclectic mentor readings, the SUNHOUSE Mentorship fostered an unparalleled learning experience stretching far beyond the traditional classroom setting. My mentor’s syllabus was meticulously constructed and deeply intentional—truly, I’ve never felt so understood or challenged as a creative. Looking back, I can confidently say that this mentorship was not only invaluable but exceeded every expectation.
- Grace Marie Liu
Poetry Mentee
Mentored by Tyler Raso
What people are saying about us
What people are saying about us
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT TO EXPECT & WHEN
BEFORE THE PROGRAM
Scroll to reveal the full timeline!
MONDAY MARCH 10TH
2025 Mentor cohort announced
2025 Mentor cohort announced
SATURDAY APRIL 19TH-WEDNESDAY APRIL 23RD
Admission results (acceptances, rejections, waitlists) released
Admission results (acceptances, rejections, waitlists) released
SATURDAY JUNE 14TH
Mentorship starts!
Mentorship starts!
FRIDAY FEB 14TH
Mentee applications open
Mentee applications open
FRIDAY APRIL 4TH
Mentee applications close
Mentee applications close
SATURDAY MAY 10TH
2025 Mentee cohort announced
2025 Mentee cohort announced
FRIDAY FEB 14TH
Mentee applications open
MONDAY MARCH 10TH
2025 Mentor cohort announced
FRIDAY APRIL 4TH
Mentee applications close
SATURDAY APRIL 19TH-WEDNESDAY APRIL 23RD
Admission results (acceptances, rejections, waitlists) released
2025 Mentee cohort announced
SATURDAY MAY 10TH
SATURDAY JUNE 14TH
Mentorship starts!
THE MENTORSHIP LAST YEAR
Ever since we introduced them to their mentors, we knew that this year’s cohort of mentees, our first ever cohort, would be an astonishing one. Many of them explored authors such as Solmaz Sharif, Dana Khoi Nguyen, Paige Lewis, Jamaica Kincaid, Jenny Zhang, and more, while others learned about the workings of the publishing industry or tackled projects such as their first chapbook. Regardless of the individual pathway each mentee found with their mentor, their learning has not only been a creative endeavor, but also a personal one. We hope the experiences accrued through SUNHOUSE will continue to invigorate, challenge, and inspire this cohort of writers throughout all of the worlds they enter and spaces they touch. And we hope this folio illuminates that, too.
Ever since we introduced them to their mentors, we knew that this year’s cohort of mentees, our first ever cohort, would be an astonishing one. Many of them explored authors such as Solmaz Sharif, Dana Khoi Nguyen, Paige Lewis, Jamaica Kincaid, Jenny Zhang, and more, while others learned about the workings of the publishing industry or tackled projects such as their first chapbook. Regardless of the individual pathway each mentee found with their mentor, their learning has not only been a creative endeavor, but also a personal one. We hope the experiences accrued through SUNHOUSE will continue to invigorate, challenge, and inspire this cohort of writers throughout all of the worlds they enter and spaces they touch. And we hope this folio illuminates that, too.
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Apply now
TO BE A 2025 MENTEE
Learn from some of the best writers around ✺ Hone your voice into its sharpest, freshest form ✺ Discover poems and stories that illuminate your world ✺ Grow alongside a community of writers to last a lifetime
LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
Apply now
TO BE A 2025 MENTEE
Learn from some of the best writers around ✺ Hone your voice into its sharpest, freshest form ✺ Discover poems and stories that illuminate your world ✺ Grow alongside a community of writers to last a lifetime