It's still manuscript mentor contest season and this year AMM has pushed forward the application deadline by a month -- the application window is Jan. 11-14. In previous years it was in February.

Check out the mentor wish lists here to formulate your list of the four mentors you can apply to. No, you don't have to apply to all four, but why not? You never know and all it takes is one "yes."

There's also a set of nine questions you'll need to prepare answers in advance. This year, AMM has posted a sample set so you can write your answers and be ready to submit on day 1 of the application window. They're posted here. But I'll include them here as well:

1. What books or other popular media, if any, would you comp (compare) your manuscript to?
2. Tell us a bit about the book you are submitting as well as your general writing background/history–anything relevant your mentor might need to know.
3. What are your long term career aspirations?
4. What other kinds of projects are you working on/do you hope to work on?
5. What are some of the publishers/publishing avenues you have in mind for your book?
6. Are there specific issues with your manuscript that you hope your mentor will help to address?
7. Who are some of the agents on your “must-query” list if you have one?
8. Are there any pitch contests or other writing related deadlines you have in mind for this manuscript that we should be aware of?
9. What are you hoping to get out of your mentor relationship?

Then polish your first 50 pages, query letter and synopsis and get ready to submit.

If you apply, let me know and I'll cheer on your MS! Good luck!