Support for Writers

"Writing your first book is a lonely time, even if, like me, you’ve been a successful journalist. It’s easy to give up in the face of rejection or worse still, no response. Anna read my book, believed in it and encouraged me not to self publish until I’d given it everything. Now I have a top agent and a major publishing deal in the US and UK. I’m so pleased she did."

Sharon Ring, Author - Mischlinge

How I can help you

As a writer mentor and developmental editor, I specialise in historical, literary, book club fiction and memoir.

I meet you wherever you are on your writing journey and engage fully with your ideas and words, honour them, and seek to bring them out to their best.

With my personal skills and experience gained through working with a wide range of authors, I give you the space and support to allow your writing to unfold and help you see how far you can take your story.

If you are thinking of self-publishing, my experience may be particularly useful to help you work through the myriad of options, set your goals and timescales.

I run writing courses and retreats to inspire and help address and move past the perfectionism, procrastination and inner critic that often hobbles writers, helping you regain your flow and creativity.

My Experience

You are in professional, capable hands. Before focusing specifically on supporting writers, I spent three decades mentoring, training, facilitating and coaching in the workplace. I also practised as a Relate counsellor. Check me out on LinkedIn if you're interested.

Along with this experience, I have spent the past fifteen years in and around writers, developing my craft. I am mindful of the challenges of writing - whether it's being stuck or not feeling able to take on the changes you want to make for fear of overwhelm, lack of self-belief etc.

I don't just focus on the words - I help you with strategies and ideas for you to reach the point where your writing shines and you achieve your personal writing aims.

Mentoring

One-off or a series of sessions to kickstart or move your writing project forward, based on your individual needs.

As part of your session, I can provide verbal feedback on writing you have submitted in advance.

Sessions are one hour long, online. If you are local to Brighton, I am happy to meet in person or if you want to have a day out here, when a longer meeting might be more appropriate to make the most of your journey.

You tell me what you'd like to focus on / get out of the session and I'll provide the structure to make that happen. If you are unsure, I'll send a short email questionnaire as a prompt.

At the end of the session, follow up actions and timings are put into place.

Further sessions are arranged on as needed basis. I don't lock you into a package, because creativity rarely works like that! But if you like the idea of a regular commitment for progress and accountability, we can work to a schedule that suits you.

Like to have an informal chat first? I offer a free 20 minute virtual session to get to know one another.

Thinking of self-publishing? New 4-stage mentoring package to get you you from exploring the options through to production, distribution, pre- & post launch publicity and marketing - schedule a free 20 minute call to find out more.

Cost

A one hour mentoring session is £75.

If you would like me to read and verbally feedback on a sample of writing (up to 3,000 words) or novel synopsis as part of a mentoring session, there is an additional charge of £75.

Editorial support

If you are looking for a constructive assessment of your work in progress and advice on how to elevate it further. With a focus on specific queries you may have, as well as:

Structure
Voice
Tense
Plot
Character development
Pace
Dialogue
And much more...

Feedback as track changes/comments in your Word document to give you specific pointers on areas such as voice, dialogue, pace, description etc.

Summary report which provides written feedback on what's working well and areas for development - this focuses primarily on the 'big picture' issues such as structure, tense, voice, plot and character development.

Suggestions for next steps

This is not a copy or line edit, but overall grammar and layout issues will be highlighted.

Cost

Up to 15,000 words £650

Up to 30,000 words £850

Up to 60,000 words £1,000

Over 60,000 words £15 per additional 1,000 words

One hour online editorial session following your summary report is £75.

Contact

Gift vouchers (non-refundable) can be purchased for mentoring and editorial support.

Courses, Talks & More

Upcoming events

Atina, Italy: Saturday 29 August

Festival delle Storie

Speaking in Italian about Broken Madonna at the literary festival where the novel is set.

Brighton: Saturday 19 September 11am-5pm

The Artist’s Way: An Autumn Day of Creativity, Connection and Community

An inspiring day to recentre creativity in your life, based around autumn themes of transition and harvest with activities involving words and craft.

Brighton: Monday eves 5 October - 9 November

Writers: An Artist's Way

Unique, creative course to kickstart your writing and creativity, based on Julia Cameron's approach.

Sussex: Saturday 10 October

Invitation only workshop - The Stories We Live By

Challenging personal and professional narratives through words, writing and storytelling.

Brighton Italian Festival Itatalks: October dates tbc

Italian and British - reflections on identity and integration.

Italy, Catholicism and miracles - a fictional view.

Writers: An Artist's Way

Evolution Arts Brighton

6 Monday evenings: 5 October - 9 November 7-9pm

6-week course to get your writing flowing, based on

Write for Life, the writing version of Julia Cameron's inspiring

The Artist's Way.

Whether you are a first-time writer with an idea or a more established writer, this is an invitation to kickstart your project, using tried and proven techniques: Morning Pages, Artist's Dates, manageable daily writing quota, walks and writing stations, Supported by a skilled facilitator and peer group.

Find out more about the approach and how it has helped previous participants.

Course Leader, Speaker, Interviewer & Panelist

Looking for a facilitator / speaker who can inspire and motivate writers and can bring a fresh perspective to aspects of writing, publication and self-publishing? See also videos and podcasts for more interviewer and panelist experience.