Based on my significant experience not only as a writer – multiple novels, short stories, and volumes of poetry – but also as a mentor at writing retreats and from running various writing groups, from January 2026 I am pleased to be able to offer my services as a mentor on a one-to-one basis.
This may involve:
- An initial up-front Zoom chat to understand what you are looking for;
- Reading any material supplied to me for review (to an agreed length i.e. not a full novel manuscript!);
- Providing written feedback on that material;
- Follow-up Zoom call to discuss the work in question.
Each engagement will be tailored to the mentee’s needs with time estimates provided for agreed stages; this will drive the proposed fee (the actual cost will be based on an hourly rate). Some mentors charge c. £80/$100 per hour, but my fees will be no more than half that — maybe less!
You can find summary details on my background on the ‘About‘ page. For my Substack site – which is where most of my new creative work is posted – please go to iangouge.substack.com.
To express an interest in being mentored, please contact me via the Society of Authors: https://societyofauthors.org/member-directory-contact-form/
Feedback:
“I have been fortunate to work with Ian on two selections of poems of mine. Both have been significantly improved as a result of his feedback.
“What impressed me about the process was Ian’s attention to details such as punctuation and layout, whilst tuning into to larger issues such as themes and tone.
“His comments have really made me think about what I am trying to achieve within individual poems and with sequences. His approach is collaborative and his comments are diplomatic and clearly focussed. He is a mentor who listens carefully and thoughtfully to the poems submitted.”
Ian Gouge - Writer 