Success Stories

“I simply wish to extend my heartfelt thanks to TLC for pointing me in the right direction each time I felt overwhelmed by my decision to write my memoir.  This was my first attempt to write a book—aside from technical writing at my previous career—and I would never have finished the manuscript, let alone have had the courage to self-publish if TLC had not held my hand, encouraging me when I faltered.”

“A Soldier’s Story has been a labour of love, and a long journey which began in 2005. My dad had given me his war diaries, full of his thoughts, feelings and actions from the beginning to the end of WW2. I transcribed the diaries and numerous discussions with my dad. Initially it was my intention that the manuscript would be copied for my immediate family. However, I had seen an article in a national newspaper recommending The Literary Consultancy. Keen to learn from my first attempt to write a book and improve my manuscript I requested a full critique. A few weeks later I had the detailed critique of Karl French along with his view that the book had commercial potential. With the full support of TLC I was able to improve my original manuscript and re-submit to them. Using their extensive knowledge of the publishing world my book was sent to a literary agent on my behalf and the rest is, as they say, history. Without the help and support of TLC, may have stalled at the first crossroads. Thank you TLC, I am very grateful.”

“I approached TLC for a manuscript assessment with what felt like a confused manuscript and paralysing anxiety over professionals reading my work. TLC paired my YA romance with the perfect reader: award-winning YA author CJ Flood. After a few weeks, I received pages of invaluable feedback and the sort of encouragement that’s vital to a nervous, new writer: I was told the novel had real publication potential. I got to work implementing all of Chelsey’s suggestions, most instrumentally across motivation, pacing and tension. What emerged was a book that felt 100 per cent more compelling to read. I sent the manuscript off and scored a three-book publishing deal with Literary Crush Publishing, and CJ Flood kindly provided a blurb to endorse my novel. Without TLC, I believe my promising but muddled story would still be looking for a home. TLC and Chelsey Flood were instrumental in Emmie and the Tudor King finding its way to publication and into readers’ hands.”

“I’ve used The Literary Consultancy several times, most recently after winning a Free Read at the Northern Writers’ Awards. Their comments are always thoughtful and on-point, and often highlight issues in the manuscript that I was aware of on some level, but hadn’t managed to deal with effectively. TLC’s advice never fails to inspire a fresh solution that makes the book better. I’m incredibly grateful for the part they played in my journey towards becoming a published author.”

“TLC and the Bridport Prize played a vital part in bringing my novel The Conviction of Cora Burns to life. I wrote the first chapters with an eye on the 2016 Bridport deadline and then, once these chapters were longlisted, I worked furiously to meet the word count for shortlisting. But I was unsure where my story would go after that. Thankfully, the shortlist prize was a TLC assessment from a renowned author in the same genre. Her astute insights helped move the narrative forward, allowing me to complete the novel which has gone on to be published in the UK and the USA.”

“I can attribute much of my book’s success to the initial guidance I received from TLC, Jude Cook, in particular. With discreet diplomacy he complimented me on my strong points. Then we talked about the art of telling. Everybody has a fascinating life story – the difficulty comes with knowing the words to share it. Fictional biography gave me the freedom of invention. Jim’s life would be told in the third person, not by me but my narrator. The narrator himself became an important character, one with his own personality, interesting and likeable. He was going to take you on a 580-page journey so he had to be. My most important character, however, was my reader. Of him I was always mindful, I wanted him as a new friend.”