Frequently asked questions
I think I would like a professional appraisal, but I’m not sure I am ready?
Why should I send my manuscript to you, as opposed to other more established consultancies?
How do I know that your writer-mentors are up to the job?
Can you help me get published?
So can you help me get an agent?
Mentoring sounds like a good idea but what exactly does it entail?
I can’t decide between mentoring or a one-off manuscript appraisal?
What kind of follow-up support do you offer?
I have just started a novel and would like ongoing support. Is this something you can offer?
Do you handle children’s fiction? How about crime or fantasy and other genres?
What happens if I am not happy with my appraisal?
Can you recommend any books on writing that might be useful?
I think I would like a professional appraisal, but I’m not sure I am ready?
There are a number of factors to consider here. The main issue to bear in mind is that an appraisal will contextualise your work within a professional framework, (that is within current publishing standards). Ideally, you need to feel ready for this and prepared for the challenge.
Perhaps the best time to seek an appraisal is when you feel you have outgrown all the other available options and you don’t quite know how to push through to the next stage. If you are still in the early stages of your development as a writer, you may simply need the support and encouragement that a good creative writing group or class can offer you.
We are always pleased to hear about the successes of former clients because it confirms our conviction that writers with talent and determination will break through. Most recently, Marilyn Heward Mills, has found the success she deserves with her first novel, Cloth Girl (Time Warner 2006).
Why should I send my manuscript to you, as opposed to other more established consultancies?
Unlike other consultancies, we are writer-oriented. This means we know where you are coming from, and what you are aiming for, even if you aren’t quite there yet. We work with writers at every stage in their careers.
We specialise in fiction, which has enabled us to focus on developing a highly effective strategy and a unique programme. Our approach combines an analysis of the key elements of successful fiction with a profound understanding of the writing process and direct experience of working with the expectations of agents, editors and publishers.
We offer the option of direct contact, with the writer-mentor appraising your work. We follow up all reports with an email within six weeks.
We are committed to supporting new and emerging talent, and will ensure that those writers who show real publishing potential are seriously considered by the agents we have links with. In the first year of the Apprenticeships in Fiction scheme, four aspiring writers have already attracted agency interest.
We also offer unprecedented value for money, with the bulk of your fee directly invested in your manuscript. (Other consultancies spend up to two-thirds of your fee on expensive overheads.)
How do I know that your writer-mentors are up to the job?
We are highly selective in our choice of writer-mentors, and only work with highly experienced mid-career novelists with considerable teaching experience. All our writer-mentors combine acute analytical skills with insight, empathy and a genuine commitment to working with emerging talent.
All our appraisals are detailed documents – generally about ten (single spaced!) pages or more for a full-length manuscript - with plenty of examples for each point made. Not only do we provide a detailed analysis of your novel covering all the key elements of successful fiction, we also offer you a practical step-by-step guide to achieving your goal.
Can you help me get published?
Our nuts-and-bolts approach is designed to provide you with the tools you will need as you move towards publication. So, the answer is yes, if you have the potential, we have the tools to help you fulfil it!
Too often, talented writers fail because they haven’t grasped the technical skills required to build a successful narrative. By breaking the process of writing fiction down into manageable stages, our methods help build confidence, which will in turn radically improve the quality of your writing.
It is important to bear in mind however, that we cannot guarantee you a publishing deal. This is the job of a literary agent.
So can you help me get an agent?
Yes, we can. If you are talented and your manuscript is exceptional, we will make a direct recommendation to an agent who is interested in that type of work.
Having said that, it is also important to remember that getting an agent is only one step in the process towards publication. Many of our clients already have agents, but are nonetheless having problems securing a publisher. For writers who are ‘near-misses’, we can translate the sometimes inscrutable comments that agents and publishers make in their rejection letters. In practice, ‘we didn’t quite love it enough’ often means that there is a major technical problem with the narration, for example. An appraisal can often identify the problem and offer potential solutions.
Mentoring sounds like a good idea but what exactly does it entail?
Our six-stage programme is based on established methods and is designed to mentor emerging writers throughout the process of writing their first novel, from first draft to completion. Unlike other mentoring schemes, which tend to be discussion-led, Apprenticeships in Fiction offers a progressive, individually designed programme that combines text-based appraisals with intensive consultations.
If you think you may be interested in being mentored, the first step is to commission a one-off appraisal with a programme option. The appraisal will give you some idea of our methods and allow us to assess your needs. This is a selective process.
We will only offer a mentoring option to suitable candidates – this means writers at the right stage, with the right material, who fully understand the terms of the programme, and whom we genuinely feel will directly benefit.
I can’t decide between mentoring or a one-off manuscript appraisal?
There is no need to choose. You can commission a one-off appraisal and ask for the option of a programme or you can wait and see how you respond to the appraisal. Your first report will give you a clear assessment of your manuscript and enable you to make an informed decision about your next step.
Sometimes an appraisal will make a number of recommendations that you will need to follow up before you can be considered for a mentoring programme.
We guarantee a three to four week turnaround time.
What kind of follow-up support do you offer?
We are happy to answer any questions or uncertainties arising out of our appraisals. If we don’t hear back from clients within six weeks, we generally follow up with an email. We are keen to receive all your feedback because it helps us develop and improve our service. For mentoring clients we operate a six weekly check-in system.
I have just started a novel and would like ongoing support. Is this something you can offer?
We offer two types of mentoring programme. One is for writers who have already completed the first draft of a novel. The second is for writers who have just started writing a novel and would like some support to make sure they are on the right track. In these cases, we produce an appraisal on the basis of the first three chapters and a synopsis. The appraisal will focus on key points that you will need to bear in mind as you work towards completion of your first draft. We will then agree a programme and a timetable with you, as well as establishing a six weekly check-in system in order to answer any minor queries you may have along the way. This type of programme can be very helpful for writers who respond well to deadlines.
Do you handle children’s fiction? How about crime or fantasy and other genres?
We handle all types of fiction. If we feel that your novel would benefit from specialised input in a particular area, we will be pleased to use the opportunity to seek out a new addition to our team of writer-mentors.
Because children’s fiction is such a specialised area, with particular requirements for different age groups, we work with the children’s author, Brian Keaney. Writers who will most benefit include those writing for 8-12 year olds / 11-14 year olds. Generally speaking, we don’t accept picture books.
For crime, thrillers and comic novels, where strong plotting and a keen understanding of the terms of the genre are particular requirements, we work with the novelist and crime specialist, Martyn Waites.
I’m on a tight budget and am thinking of sending a few chapters rather than my whole manuscript. What do you advise?
This can be a good idea if you would like a taster, or are not sure that you are ready for a full appraisal. A partial appraisal is still pretty thorough, will cover all the basics, and give you a clear indication of how to move your manuscript to the next stage. It is important to remember, however, that a partial appraisal does have its limitations. It cannot give you an overview of your novel, for example, or a complete analysis of plot, structure and character development.
What happens if I am not happy with my appraisal?
In the unlikely event that you receive an appraisal that you aren’t happy with, the first step would be to contact us by phone or email so that we can directly address the problem. If you are still unhappy, we will refer you to a second writer-mentor for an independent response and a possible solution.
Can you recommend any books on writing that might be useful?
How to Write A Damn Good Novel. James N Frey.
This is a good book to read if you want to develop an overview on plot and character development.
How to Write A Novel. John Braine.
This is a very reassuring book for writers who feel unable to plan ahead, but nonetheless would like a little guidance.
Good luck with your writing!
