Tlotlo Tsamaase, Botswana-born author whose work has won the Nommo Award and earned nominations for the Nebula, Locus, and Ignyte Awards, is formally opening applications for a mentorship programme she has offered informally for several years. Through the programme, Tsamaase provides individual guidance on publishing and craft to writers in speculative fiction. Having already selected two South African writers for this cycle, she is now seeking two or more writers from Botswana or other Southern African countries, a focus she traces directly to her own experience navigating a publishing landscape that offers little infrastructure or visibility for writers from the region.

The mentorship is open to both published and unpublished writers, with no requirement of a completed manuscript or an existing publication record. Tsamaase asks only for passion, talent, and discipline. Interested writers should submit a bio, a writing sample, either a short story or a novel excerpt, and a statement of goals to [email protected]. Meetings will be held virtually, with dates and times to be confirmed based on the applicant pool.

Applications will close at the end of March or April 2026, depending on the volume of submissions received. Writers from underrepresented Southern African countries are especially encouraged to apply.