Success Stories

“The support I have received from the Literary Consultancy has made a huge difference to my progress as a novelist. Without it, I doubt I would ever have been published. I first submitted a crime novel for its assessment around 15 years ago. TLC’s report showed a level of insight, understanding and careful reading way beyond what I was expecting. When working on my next novel it was comforting to know that TLC would be there to provide such expert advice and encouragement. I wanted HOWUL to be special, different, unusual, new. TLC’s brilliant reader completely understood what I was trying to do with it and came up with suggestions for improvements that made perfect sense. He put them in a way that inspired and motivated me. The result was a novel that not only ended up being much better but also landed a publisher. Thank you, TLC!”

“Writing, for me, has been a very private endeavour; perhaps even secretive. Consequently, for too long I lacked a trusted reader, and the relational experience of writing and reading. Two things changed that: joining a small writing group and sending my first novel to TLC. Until then I had suffered a not uncommon sense that despite writing, I wasn’t a writer; that somehow, I lacked legitimacy. My TLC reader, Alex, responded with professional warmth, enthusiasm and detailed, critical feedback. Her suggestions and responses (including writing exercises to get under the skin of less developed characters) were invaluable. It was a no-brainer to send TLC my second manuscript and once again I received detailed, critical and constructive feedback. The bottom line is that this service empowered the writer in me.”

“In 2012 I sent the first draft of From Now On Everything Will Be Different for assessment to The Literary Consultancy, and received a sharp, honest critique that made me see my work more objectively. My reader challenged and motivated me to lift my writing to the next level of accomplishment. Every day after I’d read the report, I sat on my desk with a burning sense of purpose. When I revisited the manuscript, I translated it into Indonesian, revising it along the way, and then retranslated it back into English. It was published by Obor (2014), and in English by Vagabond (2015). Thank you, TLC, for the feedback and encouragement.”

“I was thrilled to have won a bursary for a TLC Free Read for my novel ‘The Silence’. At the time I was struggling to be objective about my work, unable to see flaws or the weak spots, and I’d lost most of the enthusiasm for my novel. Alex was able to give me considered, professional advice and a real insight into the work itself. It allowed me to look at my writing afresh and helped me to properly hone the story. It also gave me the confidence to find an agent and after signing a two-book deal with Thomas & Mercer ‘The Silence’ will be published in March 2020.”

“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.”