Ugandan Authors Needed for Mentorship: Author-Shadowing for Young Writers at Kabubbu Development Project (KDP)
We are inviting Ugandan authors to adopt Kabubbu’s 11 newly published young writers for a post-launch mentorship journey. Your mission: help these children live beyond the launch—to speak well, engage readers wisely, grow in confidence, and keep writing.
Launch date: 28th February 2026 • Venue: Uganda
Background and Rationale
Kabubbu Development Project is a community-centred organisation serving communities in and around Kabubbu, with education support for orphaned and vulnerable children among its core priorities.
A first cohort of 11 children at Kabubbu Development Project (KDP) finished writing their stories in 2025 and is preparing to launch on 28th February 2026. This is a major milestone—because finishing a story is one miracle, but staying a writer after the launch is another miracle entirely.
Many young writers lose momentum after their first “big day” unless they are guided through what comes next: speaking about their work, engaging readers, handling feedback, building confidence, and learning how to keep writing consistently. This concept note proposes a short, structured post-publishing author-shadowing programme where Ugandan authors walk with the children after the launch—helping them steward their new identity as published young writers.
In one line: We are looking for Ugandan authors willing to help 11 young writers grow beyond the launch.
Our Call: Become a Mentor and impact a life.
Goal
To support Kabubbu’s 11 young authors to transition from “I wrote a story” to “I am a writer”—by equipping them with post-publishing skills, confidence, and ongoing mentorship.
This goal focuses on sustainability: helping the children grow beyond the launch and continue writing with encouragement and structure.
Objectives
- Build confidence and public-reading skills for interviews, readings, church/community presentations, and school visits.
- Teach simple author branding appropriate for children: introducing themselves, describing their book, and sharing a safe author story.
- Support post-launch engagement: reader feedback handling, gratitude messages, follow-up communication, and simple marketing habits.
- Create a sustainability pathway: a Kabubbu Young Writers Club rhythm for continued writing and future cohorts.
- Media and market linkages: connect the young authors to safe, child-appropriate platforms and opportunities—local media features, community newsletters, school networks, church bulletins, book fairs, and partner organisations—so their stories reach real readers and their books find practical channels for visibility and distribution.
- Mentor guardians/teachers (light touch): empower adults around the children with simple tools (reading schedules, practice prompts, and encouragement routines) to keep the writing culture alive beyond the programme.
Target Group
- Primary: The 11 children in Cohort 1 (already authored stories).
- Secondary: KDP staff/club patrons and guardians supporting the children.
- Mentors: Ugandan authors (published or strong emerging writers) willing to mentor in a safeguarding-conscious structure.
Mentor fit: Authors who can encourage, guide, and model excellence—without pressuring the children to perform.
The Post-Publishing Author-Shadowing Model (Updated Ratio)
Instead of shadowing the authorship process, children now shadow the author’s life after publication:
- How authors talk about their work (without panic and without oversharing)
- How authors do readings and handle Q&A
- How authors engage readers and respond to feedback
- How authors keep their book project alive
- How authors treat writing as service, stewardship, and ministry to humanity
Mentorship ratio
1–3 authors per child (a “mentor trio” approach). This means each child is supported by either one dedicated author-mentor, or a small team of up to three authors who contribute different strengths (e.g., speaking/reading, editing/coaching, marketing/visibility). This reduces dependency on one mentor and increases consistency if one author is unavailable.
Tip: We may assign one “primary mentor” per child, with 1–2 supporting mentors who join specific sessions or provide targeted support.
Roles & Responsibilities, Expected Outputs & Outcomes, and Resources Needed
Ugandan Authors (Mentors)
- Facilitate sessions (or co-facilitate with KDP staff).
- Model author conduct: humility, discipline, excellence, encouragement.
- Provide child-appropriate feedback and confidence coaching.
- Help children prepare for readings and interviews.
- Guide “next writing steps” without pressuring performance.
KDP Team
- Coordinate scheduling, venue, attendance, and safeguarding compliance.
- Manage consent forms, photography permissions, and child protection protocols.
- Provide continuity between sessions (writing prompts, practice tasks).
- Liaise with parents/guardians and invited guests for readings.
Parents/Guardians (Support Role)
- Encourage practice at home (reading aloud, rehearsing book talk).
- Support safe social sharing (if any) and child boundaries.
- Celebrate effort and discipline, not just applause.
Expected Outputs
- 11 children prepared for confident public readings and conversations.
- Each child produces:
- A short author bio (child-safe).
- A 30-second and 2-minute “book talk” script.
- One recorded reading or live reading (consent-based).
- A mini-plan for their next writing piece.
- A sustainable Kabubbu Young Writers Club rhythm established.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased confidence and communication skills.
- Improved reading fluency and expression.
- Better ability to handle feedback and stay encouraged.
- Ongoing writing habits and readiness for Cohort 2 mentorship roles (peer encouragement).
Resources Needed
- Author mentors to facilitate transport to location.
- Stationery and printing (author cards, certificates, scripts).
- Refreshments.
- Printing for posters, simple bookmarks, or anthology promotional material.
- Media support for recordings (phone tripod, quiet space).
Our Call: Join our mandate to invest in the next generation for Africa
Benefits
10) Benefits for the Children Authors
- Confidence beyond the launch: courage to speak about their book in safe, supervised settings.
- Public reading skills: improved fluency, expression, and calm delivery during readings.
- Healthy feedback habits: learning how to receive comments without losing heart.
- Real reader connections: guided engagement with schools, church/community spaces, and trusted platforms.
- Writing discipline: a simple habit that helps them begin their next short piece.
- Identity and dignity: being affirmed as young authors with a voice worth hearing.
11) Benefits for the Author Mentors
- Meaningful service: direct contribution to literacy, mentorship, and community development.
- Legacy impact: investing in the next generation of Ugandan storytellers and readers.
- Professional enrichment: sharpening coaching, speaking, and editorial mentoring skills.
- Community visibility: recognition as a mentor author (within safeguarding and consent limits).
- Network building: collaboration with other authors, educators, and partner organisations.
- Personal fulfilment: the joy of seeing a child grow in confidence and purpose.
Safeguarding note: any public visibility is always guided by consent protocols and child protection standards.
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