Consultancy
Note: I am currently closed for consultancy services.
I offer one-to-one consultancy services for writers looking to improve their novel, or to take their career to the next level.
Normally, I offer these services only for writers I’ve worked with in the past, and whose work I enjoy and believe in, but occasionally when time permits I may take on additional clients. The consultancy usually takes the form of feedback on your work, with additional phone or Skype conversations to discuss specific aspects, though it differs for each writer depending on what they need.
I am more of a coach than an editor; my job is to discover what my clients want to achieve, and help them towards achieving it by looking at whole-text issues such as structure, characterisation, plotting, genre, theme and pacing. I discuss professional issues with my clients, such as where and how to submit, and whether to self-publish. I very rarely do detailed line edits or copy edits.
If you’ve written your novel and you’re interested in hiring a coach or mentor to help you revise and sell your work, get in touch (via my contact page) to see if we’d suit each other. Prices vary according to the amount of work required, for example how long your novel is, and how much feedback you need, but typically quotes start at £350 for reading and commenting on a partial manuscript (3 chapters and a synopsis); for full manuscripts the guidelines are £100/10,000 word, so a 90,000 word manuscript would typically be £900.
Many of my clients go on to sign with agents and/or publishers. My former clients include A.J. Pearce (DEAR MRS BIRD), Lorraine Brown (UNCOUPLING), Anne Booth (SMALL MIRACLES), Clare Mackintosh (I LET YOU GO), Tamsyn Murray (INSTRUCTIONS FOR A SECONDHAND HEART), Karl Drinkwater (LOST SOLACE) and many many others.
I approached Julie for coaching when I was struggling with my novel. I had received positive and very constructive feedback from a literary agent; I knew precisely what I needed to achieve, but no idea how to do it. Julie helped me break down each problem area, and showed me how to add depth and tension to the story. Julie’s coaching transformed my manuscript and I would recommend her to anyone who is serious about writing.
