Success Stories

“I have been involved with The Literary Consultancy now for eight years. I’ve used its manuscript assessment services, participated in its writing retreats and attended its conferences. Rebecca Swift and the entire organisation have been an invaluable source of mentoring and support, at each step of my writing journey.”

‘When I submitted The Last Fiesta to TLC the editor made me see the book in a new light. He said I could either go away and leave it and it would be a reasonably good book, but he urged me to find the real book within my book. It took a lot of hard work, but I am so pleased I followed TLC’s excellent advice. Thank you so much for helping me discover the book I didn’t know was there!’

“The Free Read Scheme between the TLC and Nottinghamshire Literature Development Department introduced me to the value of professional critiques from the early days of my publication journey. In fact, I became something of a TLC junkie, popping back several times for expert feedback on my short stories and three different novels … I very much appreciate the honest appraisals that have pushed me to raise my game and write and rewrite until I had a novel of which I could be proud.”

“I came to TLC after winning the New Writing Ventures award for poetry in 2007. I’m extremely grateful for the mentorship as it has been instrumental in my working process from then to today. It taught me to be much harder on myself during the editing process, but ultimately it was a perfect combination of criticism and encouragement. On the back of the mentorship, I was awarded a residency at the Banff Centre in Canada. The journey from manuscript to published book was quite a lengthy and at times frustrating process, but what I’d learned on the mentorship was key in keeping my faith going. Eventually, a publisher – the new London-based outfit, Eyewear – came on the scene and pursued me for the manuscript, which was instantly accepted.”

“The Literary Consultancy has been an essential part of my journey to publication. They told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear, something others can be afraid to do! While I have critique partners, they see the book chapter by chapter, and a professional view of the whole thing reveals weaknesses that are missed by this approach. TLC also championed my work at a time when I was doubting myself, and gave me the encouragement to continue. I will be sending them my next manuscript for their feedback, as soon as it is ready.”

“TLC is a wonderful organisation. Anna South’s manuscript assessment was both insightful and useful, but that was just the beginning. Winning the TLC Pen Factor Competition opened many doors for me and the book. I’ve made dozens of great contacts at TLC events, and Rebecca Swift’s guidance and support has led to a cool digital and audio serialisation deal with The Pigeonhole. She was a major factor in The Bitter Trade becoming an airport bestseller.”