Applications open April 2026 to start July
This mentorship can transform your relationship with your writing craft, your story, and who you are as a writer. Over six months of intensive, personalised guidance, you'll develop a stronger manuscript, a deeper connection to your authentic voice, a sustainable writing practice, and the confidence to tell the stories that matter most to you.
🎯 Exclusive & Intimate
Only 6 writers accepted per year (3 in January, 3 in July) who are working on novels or memoirs.
🧘♀️ Mindful Writing Integration
Combines advanced craft instruction with mindfulness practices specifically adapted for writers.
📖 Genre-Specific Focus
Dedicated tracks for novel or memoir writers with specialised guidance for each form.
💫 Whole-Writer Approach
Addresses your manuscript, your relationship with writing, creative blocks, and sustainable practices.
🤝 Deep Partnership
Six months of consistent support, accountability, and personalised guidance from an award-winning author and publisher, and experienced mentor.
Author, Coach and Publisher
Amanda Saint is an award-winning author, experienced writing mentor, and founder of The Mindful Writer. With two published novels, a novella-in-flash, and numerous award-winning short stories, she brings both creative expertise and industry knowledge to her mentorship work.
Through Retreat West, which she founded in 2012 and merged into WestWord in 2025, Amanda worked with hundreds of writers and published 24 books, earning recognition as Most Innovative Publisher at the 2020 Saboteur Awards. She holds a Diploma in Journal Therapy and is completing certifications in Life Coaching, Positive Psychology, and Metaphysics.
Amanda's unique approach combines nearly a decade of mindfulness practice with deep craft knowledge and genuine care for each writer's individual journey. Her mission is to help writers create stories that heal themselves, others, and our world.
Deep exploration of your project and writing motivations
Establish personalized mindful writing practices
Create your 6-month roadmap and goals
Address any blocks, fears, or resistance patterns
Novel Track: Character psychology, authentic voices, and compelling motivations
Memoir Track: Discovering the deeper story you're telling and why it matters
Plot development for novels or narrative shaping for memoirs
Mindful approaches to pacing, tension, and story flow
Creating satisfying dramatic arcs
Advanced craft techniques specific to your genre
Working through challenging scenes, themes, or sections
Maintaining momentum and creative energy
Tackling complex narrative challenges
Refining voice, style, and technique
Addressing specific manuscript issues
Compassionate self-editing approaches
Reflecting on your growth as a writer and your possible next steps
Establishing sustainable writing practices for the future
Celebrating your transformation and progress
"This is a safe place to write. Amanda takes great care to ensure you are in the right psychological place to mine your life. She structures the mentoring programme according to your needs and gives you confidence. Importantly, she helps you dig deep to find the emotion that will resonate with the reader and also do justice to your aims. In short, she helps you find the truth. If you have ever wanted to write memoir, I recommend this mentoring. Amanda will help you succeed.”
"I was lucky enough to have Amanda as my mentor for a year while working on the rewrite of my novel. With her by my side, I felt confident going through the rewrite and completed before my planned deadline. Amanda's ability to cut through the complexities of what writers are often told to focus on makes her a great mentor. She knew my characters, and she got to know my excuses with time and helped me get past them to make my work the best it could be."
Monthly payments: £185 x 6 months
Pay in full: £1000 (save £110)
Monthly payments: £295 x 6 months
Pay in full: £1650 (save £120)
Includes:
Full manuscript assessment (up to 80,000 words) - must be submitted within 3 months of mentoring program ending
Comprehensive written report covering structure, character development, pacing, and craft
60-minute follow-up session to discuss feedback and next steps
Six 90-Minute Monthly Sessions
Deep, focused work on your specific project and writing challenges.
Monthly Manuscript Feedback
Submit up to 5,000 words before each session for detailed written feedback.
Monthly Craft Resources
Receive a comprehensive PDF of craft-focused content supporting that month's specific focus area.
Ongoing Support Between Sessions
Monthly email check-ins and guidance when you're stuck.
Mindfulness Practices
Meditation and awareness techniques tailored to the writing process.
Community Access
Membership in The Mindful Writer Community throughout and beyond your mentorship.
Sustainable Practices
Tools and techniques for maintaining progress long after our work together ends.
January 2026 Start: Applications open now (only 1 space remaining)
July 2026 Start: Applications open March 2026
Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. Early applications recommended.
Yes, if you:
Have a novel or memoir project you're serious about completing
Want to deepen your relationship with your craft
Are ready for sustained commitment and accountability
Seek guidance that goes beyond technical instruction
Value the integration of mindfulness with creative work
Want personalised attention from an experienced mentor
"Trust is an essential for me in a mentoring relationship. I completely trust Amanda — her intuition, her deep writing smarts, her kindness and support throughout the journey."
"Working with Amanda as my writing mentor and coach for my memoir has been both centering and liberating. Her guidance has allowed me to go deep and wide in my writing journey — exploring with honesty, vulnerability, and courage. Through her thoughtful coaching approach, Amanda has helped me discover, strengthen, and cultivate my voice while also developing my craft as a writer."
Amanda writes a newsletter on Substack where she shares personal stories of her ongoing mindfulness and creative writing journey, along with ideas to help us live and write more mindfully.