Team Rogue
Our incredible team of volunteers is made up of passionate and generous individuals dedicated to making the writing community a more inclusive and accessible space for mentors and mentees alike.
Rogue Mentor is currently looking to grow and diversify our team to continue to provide a safe place for writers from all walks of life to learn and grow into their potential.
Interested? We'd love to hear from you!
Natalie Lockett
Program Director
Natalie Lockett is an autistic author, podcaster, and writing coach who believes the line between teaching and learning is nonexistent. As the producer and host of Write Away with Nat and PJ, she's had three seasons to pick the brains of publishing professionals like Charlie Jane Anders, Bob Eckstein, and Windy Lynn Harris. In 2021 she started Rogue Mentor, a mentorship program that facilitates flexible, accessible, and inclusive mentorship opportunities for writers aspiring to both traditional and self publishing tracks.
Natalie has been featured in BrevityBlog, HerStry, Across the Margin, and by Bob Eckstein in LitHub. Her novel length work is represented by Tara Gonazalez of Erin Murphy Literary Agency.
Hetal Avanee
Board Member
As a first generation Indian American (and the oldest of four girls), I had the privilege of being my immigrant parent’s experiment child. All rules first tested on me were subsequently thrown out for Sisters 2, 3, and 4. I'm not mad, though - those experiences are great story fodder!
Nicole Rubino
Social Media - Instagram
Nicole writes and (reads mostly) dark fantasy while listening to the White Witch herself, Stevie Nicks. When she's not doing either of those things, as a mom of soon to be four children, her days are filled with high pitched giggles and beautiful chaos. Morticia Addams is her role model & she is trash for anything Victorian London and Captain Jack Sparrow.
Monica Gribouski
Mentee Liaison
Monica is a writer, larper, and product manager from New England who likes long books, short video games, and lots of rooibos tea.
Katherine Penndorf
Mentee Liaison
I'm a story-teller by heart, one has to be when they are the youngest sibling, and a published author of Middle Grade. I am also a developmental editor who loves to guide authors on how to hone their craft of writing. I have travelled the world, opened and owned a language school in Germany, then returned home with the greatest souvenir - my husband.
Leira Lewis
Board Member/Class Coordinator
Leira K. Lewis is a Northern California based fantasy and romance writer, AMM round 8 mentor, Rogue Mentor and Board member and member of SCBWI. Diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age, she struggled to read and write, but fantasy books inspired her to start storytelling. She learned to write by reading audiobooks and has spent the last thirteen years studying the craft. Now, she is represented by Kristy Hunter at the Knight Agency and is currently on submission.
Nina Grauer
Mentee Liaison Manager
Nina(she/they) is a fun and funky autistic, queer author based out of Washington DC. When she’s not writing, she’s a UX designer specializing in accessibility.
Michelle Bulsiewicz
Social Media - Blog
Michelle Bulsiewicz is a fantasy author and former arts and entertainment journalist. She loves yoga, tea, and the beach but unfortunately lives far away from it in Utah with her husband, son, and pets.
Jenny Marie
Mentee Liaison
Jenny Marie is a YA writer, who loves all the yearning, atmosphere, and tropes. She is an AMM and Pitch Wars alum, and Rogue Mentor mentee liaison. She is always happy to help with queries, pitches, and cheering you on when you need some extra flails!
Jen Grossi
Board Member/Web Design
Jen Grossi love all things dark and spooky, much to her mother's chagrin. She is a writer and artist living in the mountains of northern New Jersey and spends her days transforming manuscripts into fully designed books for a Big 5 publisher, reading too many romance books (much to her mother's delight), or watching Bob's Burgers. Jen does not currently have representation.
Elle Tesch
Social Media - Twitter
Elle Tesch lives just east of Vancouver, British Columbia. Forever surrounded by forests and mountains, it was inevitable that she would daydream about what might lurk in those trees. She twists places she loves and writes what she knows best: hungry monsters, casually cruel villains, and ace-spec girls one step down from ruthless. Her words can be found in the Indie-published anthology AWAKENINGS.
Skeptic Arthfrrind
Mentee Liaison
Skeptic is a former Crisis PR Director, which means they are great to have around in case something breaks! Skeptic has negotiated with governors and Forbes 400 CEOs and knows a thing about advocacy. They bring 20 years of marketing experience, dedicated to improving systems and best outcomes to deliver great experiences for everyone involved.
Bayley Mae
Mentee Liaison
Bayley is a middle grade writer and an AMM mentee. She loves books, Halloween, chocolate (especially Oreos!), and her two pups. Between reading and theatre, she has always had a passion for storytelling. When not writing, Bayley is constantly jamming out to show-tunes, getting overly invested in the lives of her Sims characters, or getting sucked into a new book.