“Part of the prize for recipients of the Scottish Book Trust New Writer’s Award is the opportunity to work with a mentor or to have professional feedback on an early, completed draft. Having taken the second option, I received a manuscript appraisal from Emma Pass, of The Literary Consultancy. Emma pointed out where the manuscript could be improved by strengthening the dramatic and emotional impact at specific points in the narrative. The feedback was clear, concise and accurate, and offered with respect, kindness and a great deal of encouragement, all things much needed by beginning writers like myself. This has been enormously helpful in guiding future edits.” From the Introduction