by Jaime Zollars

When I saw last year’s call for SCBWI mentors, I was instantly motivated to apply. I credit the SCBWI with my first successes as an illustrator, and I miss teaching and mentoring college students (something I did for several years before going back to full-time freelance work). It seemed like an exciting opportunity to share some of the knowledge I’ve learned along the way and to give back to the organization.

I expected that I’d be able to share some helpful insights and anecdotes, but I didn’t expect my chosen mentee, Kristin Marine, to align with so many of my interests and experiences. We connected eerily well, aesthetically and conceptually, so the process was surprisingly productive. While most folks go into a mentorship fully intending to give it ample time and attention, I was thoroughly impressed that Kristin was able to actually deliver her promise and then some. She used the time to continue developing her intriguing world of characters in story and technique, while also considering their place (and her unique voice) in publishing.

A look at their work underscores that Jaime and Kristin are, in Jaime’s words, “somewhat aligned in our aesthetic and interested in creatures and fantasy.”
Left: scene from Jaime’s book The Night Frolic. Right: “Mossy Parade” by Kristin Marine.

We met online once every two weeks or so for about an hour (sometimes longer if the discussion warranted) and talked about story ideas, illustration and technique, websites and marketing, agents, positioning, and more. There were several assignments and goals along the way, and Kristin enthusiastically met them all. When we first met, I felt her work and website was just about ready to enter the marketplace. Just seven months later, I see a portfolio that feels confident, refined, and edited with a clarity that best reflects where she wants to go with her work. 

I also encouraged Kristin to take advantage of all that the SCBWI has to offer during the mentorship, so we were able to meet in person at the Writers and Illustrators event in Camarillo in September! She has already seen some success, by piquing the interest of multiple agents by the end of this process. While Kristin may have very well had the same fortune with or without my guidance, the journey was fruitful for us both. Mentoring and helping others ask the big questions inevitably makes one consider their own answers as well. We will definitely be keeping in touch. I look forward to seeing her agent announcement (and inevitable book announcements!) in the very near future.

You can read about the 2024 selection process and contest winner Kristin Marine here.

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PAL Members: Do you want to foster an emerging creator’s love of storytelling and provide valuable career guidance? SCBWI-L.A. wants you! Many folks can attest to the value of having a mentor—but there’s tremendous value in being a mentor as well. If you are an SCBWI-L.A. PAL author, illustrator, or author-illustrator interested in being a mentor, please see the 2025 Request for Proposals. SCBWI-L.A. mentors design their own mentorship program and choose a mentee from applicants who respond.

Proposals will be accepted from December 15, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. PT on January 18, 2025. Good luck! 

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Jaime Zollars has illustrated ad campaigns, magazines, gallery walls, product lines, and of course, books! In addition to her illustrious illustration career, Jaime has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art, spoken at art colleges and regional SCBWI events, and judged various illustration contests. She currently serves as illustrator coordinator for the SCBWI Central-Coastal California region.  Visit her website: https://www.jaimezollars.com.

Photos courtesy of Jaime Zollars and Kristin Marine