Updated, 8 July 2026:

• The call for applications for 2026-2027 mentees is now open. Wen-yi Lee is joining the programme as a mentor. Deadline for applications: Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 2359 hours SGT. Download the application info here or see below for the same.

General information

Yu-Mei Balasingamchow and Wen-yi Lee are fiction writers who mentor promising fiction writers in Singapore who are earlier in their careers and help them advance their craft.

• Yu-Mei has been writing fiction for fifteen years and lives in the US. Her debut novel, Names Have Been Changed (Tiny Reparations Books) received a starred review from Kirkus and was named one of Debutiful’s Most Anticipated Debuts of 2026 and one of NPR’s “15 Books Our Critics Can’t Wait For This Summer”. Her short fiction has received a Pushcart Prize special mention, been shortlisted for the Commonwealth Prize, and won the Mississippi Review Fiction Prize. More information at https://www.yumeibalasingamchow.com.

• Wen-yi is an author of adult and YA speculative fiction, including When They Burned the Butterfly (Tor Macmillan) and The Dark We Know (Gillian Flynn Books), which have been named best books of the year by venues like NPR. She is also the editor of the upcoming horror anthology, The Kids Came Back Wrong (Bloomsbury) and her Nebula Award-nominated short fiction has appeared in venues like Lightspeed, Uncanny, Best American Science Fiction & Fantasy, and more. She is also familiar with the local publishing scene. More information at www.wenyileewrites.com.

We believe that the act of writing can change both ourselves and the world (even Singapore). We are particularly interested in mentoring writers from communities in Singapore that are underrepresented in publishing and who lack access to traditional routes and resources for development such as university programmes, government grants, and professional services (e.g. coaching or editorial consultation).

Yu-Mei has mentored two writers every year since 2021 and ten writers in total (scroll to the bottom of this page for the list of current and previous mentees). In 2026-2027, Yu-Mei and Wen-yi will each mentor one writer. Wen-yi has previously mentored in international programmes including Author Mentor Match and Write Team Mentorship Programme, focusing on developing manuscripts for querying agents.

Here’s how the programme works:

• The programme is free to mentees. Yu-Mei and Wen-yi volunteer their time as mentors.

• Each mentorship lasts for six months.

• During the mentorship, Yu-Mei and Wen-yi will meet their respective mentee one-on-one on a video call for one hour every month. Wen-yi may hold in-person meetings, depending on her schedule.

  • One week before the first, third and fifth meetings, the mentee will send their mentor the craft questions they would like to discuss.

  • One week before the second, fourth and sixth meetings, the mentee will submit a draft of a short story or novel excerpt (maximum 5,000 words) that their mentor will provide feedback on during the call.

• Yu-Mei and Wen-yi are looking for mentees who are writing a novel, novella or short stories. They do not accept mentees in other forms of writing.

• That said, developing a full novel manuscript is beyond the scope of this programme. If you’re applying with a novel project, please choose a specific section of the manuscript to focus on for the mentorship period.

• Yu-Mei and Wen-yi expect that their mentees will use the six-month period to work on their writing, not merely talk about it. If a mentee repeatedly does not submit drafts, prepare for calls, or attend them, the mentor has the discretion to terminate the mentorship. Mentees who find that the programme is not a good fit also have the discretion to terminate the mentorship.

• Writers applying to work with Yu-Mei should note that she lives in the US. Calls with her will be scheduled in the mornings or evenings Singapore time.

• Applicants and the selected mentees are expected not to use AI or LLMs at all in preparing their applications or drafts. Do not use it for research, brainstorming, spellcheck, anything at all. No exceptions. Yu-Mei and Wen-yi are interested in working with writers who want to develop their own creative, imaginative and literary impulses, without being tainted by AI or LLMs.

• Shortlisted applicants may be asked to attend a brief Zoom interview with either mentor.

Application information:

• Yu-Mei and Wen-yi are looking for mentees who are at least 18 years old, whose writing shows promise, and who are not currently enrolled in any of the following and have no plans to attend such programmes from October 2026 to April 2027 (it’s okay if you’ve done them in the past):

  • An advanced degree programme (such as an MA or MFA) in creative writing, English or literature.

  • A mentorship programme or government grant from the National Arts Council, Singapore Book Council or other government-affiliated bodies in Singapore.

  • Other mentorship programmes in Singapore or abroad.

• There is no upper age limit.

• Yu-Mei and Wen-yi welcome writers of all identities to apply. As mentors, they will undertake to make mentees feel welcome, valued, safe and heard, and to provide professional advice that will empower them to work towards their own artistic goals as fiction writers.

• Writers who have been mentored by Yu-Mei in this programme cannot apply again to work with her. They can apply to work with Wen-yi.

• Writers who applied previously and were not successful are welcome to apply again with a new or revised writing sample (see below).

• Please send 2 documents in one email:

  • A fiction writing sample of 3,000-5,000 words. Excerpts of short stories or novels are welcome, as long as they don’t exceed the word count. Send your best work. It must be fiction. If you have applied before, please send a new writing sample or one that is significantly revised.

  • A description of not more than 500 words (shorter is good too) of your writing goals for the six-month mentorship and how having Yu-Mei or Wen-yi as your mentor would help you reach them. Be as specific as you can. What are the stories you have a burning desire to share? Why a mentorship and why now?

• In the subject line of your email, please state “For Yu-Mei”, “For Wen-yi” or “For either mentor” to indicate your preference.

• In the body of your email, please also acknowledge that you are:

  • At least 18 years old;

  • Residing in Singapore until April 2027 (citizenship is immaterial);

  • Not currently enrolled in any of the following and that you do not have plans to attend such programmes from September 2026 to April 2027:

    • An advanced degree programme (such as an MA or MFA) in creative writing, English or literature.

    • A mentorship programme or government grant from the National Arts Council, Singapore Book Council or other government-affiliated bodies in Singapore.

    • Other mentorship programmes, whether in Singapore or abroad.

  • Prepared not to use AI or LLMs during the mentorship programme and that you have not used AI or LLMs in preparing your applications or drafts (this includes research, brainstorming, spellcheck, anything at all).

• Do not include your name or any personal information in the documents. Please create an identification number for your documents using the last 3 digits of your NRIC and the last 4 digits of your mobile phone number, and label your files as “1234567 writing sample.pdf” and “1234567 mentorship goals.pdf” (PDFs preferred).

• Send your applications to ascleanasabone@gmail.com by Wednesday, 30 September 2026, 2359 hours SGT. Emails received after the deadline will be ignored.

Selection timeline and outcome

Yu-Mei and Wen-yi will:

• Read submissions blind. A friend who helps them will hold the password to the email account and send them the applications without any identifying information. The friend will give them the email password only after they have selected their mentees.

• Treat all materials received confidentially and not share or speak about them with anyone other than the writer. The friend assisting them will do the same.

• Email all applicants with the outcome by the end of October 2026.

• Will not be able to provide unsuccessful applicants with a critique of their work or an explanation for their selection.

Questions? Email yumei.balasingamchow@gmail.com or wenyiwrites@gmail.com. Do not send applications to these emails; they will be deleted immediately without being read.

Yu-Mei’s previous mentees (in alphabetical order):

• Sarah Ang

• Isha B.

• Chan Ziqian

• Wisha Jamal

• Mohamed Shaker

• Marcus Ong Kah Ho

• Jay Panicker

• Audrey Tan

• Yap Shi Quan

• A writer who wishes to remain anonymous