Having worked both as an editor in three mainstream London publishing houses, latterly as Editorial Director with overall responsibility for the fiction list, and then as a Literary Agent, I have more than thirty years’ experience of nurturing authors through all stages of the publishing process. Now, as a Literary Consultant, I help writers at any stage of preparing material for submission to an agent or publisher, and beyond. This can include everything from brainstorming storylines and helping to evolve original ideas, formulating proposals and synopses, detailed and constructive appraisal of text, as well as overall project management and longer term career advice. Where appropriate, I am also able to submit books to agents on a writer’s behalf, as I still maintain extensive contacts in the publishing industry.

Most writers who approach me are previously unpublished, though some are journalists or non-fiction authors who are tackling fiction for the first time. I usually ask clients to submit a synopsis and three first chapters initially. This allows me to determine whether I feel a book has publication potential and whether I am the right editor to work on it. After that, I would read the completed manuscript and produce a detailed report covering all aspects of the book:  characterisation, writing style, structure and plotting, and commercial potential. This is then followed by a meeting or an extended telephone call to discuss the report and decide how the client wishes to proceed. Although some choose then to work independently, most opt for an ongoing working relationship where I can guide them towards a draft of their manuscript that is ready for submission to a literary agent.

Throughout my career, I have worked on literary fiction, mainstream women’s fiction, thrillers, crime fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction and narrative non-fiction, and I am happy to receive submissions in any of these genres.  However, I have no interest in or experience of science fiction, fantasy, horror or category fiction.

For further information on approaching me for an assessment of your manuscript, please see the Submission Guidelines page.