Success Stories

“I’m delighted to say that my second novel, The Jasmine Sari, is to be published by Matador on 28th January 2017 and is available for pre-order now. I couldn’t have managed this without the help of TLC. Writing can be an isolating and lonely business and sometimes a writer needs a bit of TLC. I sent them my first complete draft and received from my reader an objective, detailed report on my manuscript that pointed out the weaknesses and the strengths of my work and suggested changes. Though a few critical friends had previously reviewed my book, it was the TLC report that made the real impact on me, the one that led to me making significant changes. I absorbed the advice, followed most of it (not all of it – it’s still my work) and the result is The Jasmine Sari! Thanks TLC.”

“The advice I received in my TLC Free Read report through Writing East Midlands was invaluable in identifying weak areas in my writing. Addressing the points identified in my critique really allowed me to tighten my manuscript and move forwards with confidence.”

“In 2005 I was living in New York when I sent my manuscript to TLC. It was assessed by Daniel Jeffreys who, in his nine-page appraisal, opened my eyes. It was the first in depth creative writing advice I had ever received, but it was enough to make everything click in to place for me. The road to publication was long, as it so often is, and littered with heart-wrenching rejections, but eventually the manuscript was picked up by Transworld in 2007. RAVEN: Blood Eye made the bestseller lists in 2009. I’m now working on my 10th novel, having written about Vikings, the English Civil War, and having even co-written a novel with Wilbur Smith. It has been a wonderful journey. But Daniel’s appraisal still sits in the front of my writing folder, marking the start of it all. I am still so grateful to Daniel and TLC, and so glad that I took the plunge and sent my script in.”

“Winning the TLC Pen Factor Writing Competition [2014] gave me a tremendous boost, as I knew I was up against some very tough competition on the shortlist. The experience was a good one, and tremendously affirming. I had complete strangers come up to me afterwards and tell me how much they enjoyed the reading. The competition was worth entering just for that.”

“If you are thinking of getting professional feedback from TLC, I would say, Go for it! Your writing deserves a good reader. Don’t be afraid of the dark – the Supernatural…’ The best advice I received from Daniel Jeffreys that helped shape the journey of Companions of Clay. The report was diplomatic and encouraging – something for which I am grateful for, given that the first fifty pages were feral to say the least. The novel went from being a meandering mess to an opening that was not only unafraid of the dark, but it embraced it.”

“As part of Writing West Midlands’ Room 204 scheme, was offered the opportunity to apply to TLC’s Free Read scheme. With detailed and constructive feedback and support from the poet Sibyl Ruth for TLC, I put together a few poems and sent them off to The Emma Press, after doing my research for a likely match for my work. I was delighted to be accepted for publication by them. TLC has been a huge part in my developing confidence as a writer. I am enormously grateful!”