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TLC News

Update from Director

Pick of the Week in the Observer's travel section on Sunday 20th April 2008

We are hugely excited to be launching TLC Literary Adventures - a new concept in writing holidays where inspiration and improvisation meet under the guidance of experienced tutors and in the company of some of our best-known writers and artists.

This September, we will be travelling to the stunning Aiyapura Resort & Spa in Thailand (www.aiyapura.com).

Accompanying us will be best-selling author Kate Mosse and her husband Greg (www.sepulchre.co.uk), and concert violinist Nadia Myerscough.

A full programme and booking details is available at www.literaryadventures.co.uk.




CHAPTER & VERSE

Due to popular demand, we are delighted to say that we have now run out of the forty subsidised rate placements for Chapter & Verse, our new mentoring scheme. For information about full price placements, do see full details under 'Mentoring' on the list of services in the menu.

INDUSTRY-LINKS

TLC continues to make links in the literary world at a higher rate that ever. Just published is 'Speaking of Love' by Angela Young who kindly says ' I really don't think any writer should try to get anything published before submitting to TLC.' Her reader was Birkbeck's Julia Bell.

Recently, Giles Kristian signed a three-book deal with Transworld on the strength of a novel 'Raven' which was read by Daniel Jeffreys. Bethan Roberts sold her novel 'The Pools' to Serpent's Tail after an editorial boost from a TLC read.

In addition, we are thrilled that Jenny Downham, who came to us via the Arts Council Free Read scheme, achieved a fantastic deal through the Felicity Bryan agency for her work 'Before I Die'.

We are proud to add Angela, Giles, Bethan and Jenny to the list of writers we have helped navigate their way through the complex and competitive world of modern publishing.

Also, look out for Nick Taussig, whose second novel Gorilla Guerilla hits the shelves as I write.


OTHER EVENTS

I have travelled this year thanks to the British Council to a literary Festival in Jaipur where colleague Chris Gribble and I helped judge a national writing competition (www.britishcouncil.org/arts-literature-amiwritingrubbish.htm)

And I am just back from China, where I worked with novice writers at the Bookworm bookshop in Chengdu (www.chengdubookworm.com).

Life in the creative writing front line is never dull.

Meanwhile, our core work however continues with the manuscript assessment and mentoring. Thank you as ever to those of you who have entrusted us with looking at your work. Receiving feedback can be a delicate process and I do think it is brave for writers to seek to get professional help. That said, we do of course endeavor to be constructive whatever the market-judgement.

Finally, I would like to remind you that Jess Porter and myself are available to discuss your work in-house if you want to tell us about what you are working on and find out if getting an assessment is a good idea.

The smooth running of the in-house team from our established office at Diorama Arts enables TLC to keep abreast of market developments and trends in order to inform our clients better. We can also continue to research and work with the best readers, editors and agents available.

We are here to help you if we can.

With best wishes,


Rebecca Swift
Director, TLC

March 2008

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TLC Director Shortlisted for Literary Achievement Award

Rebecca Swift was short-listed for the prestigious Kim Scott Walwyn Memorial Prize and attended a prize-giving ceremony and dinner at Oxford University Press in December 2004, where Kym worked as an editor. Trustees for the prize included Dame Gillian Beer, Francine Stock and Hermione Lee among others. The prize honours an outstanding achievement by a woman in publishing or related fields. The winner was Rights Manager Lynette Owen. Visit www.booktrust.org.uk for more details.

Winter 2006

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admin

TLC’s innovative mentoring
scheme Chapter and Verse
has places available.
Click here for more information


Narrow Dog to Carcassonne

Narrow Dog to Carcassonne, with which TLC gave me excellent editorial help, sold 30,000 copies to the consumer in hardback. Your fine and necessary service made it possible for me as a novice to write a bestseller.”

Terry Darlington, Narrow Dog to Carcassonne, Transworld

Love and Mayhem

Editorial acumen and wisdom is difficult to find, and TLC possesses both. My first novel has found its way onto Waterstone’s Summer Reads list and it would have not got there without TLC.”

Nick Taussig, Love and Mayhem, Revolver Books

Hitman

Thanks to TLC I got an agent and secured a deal with Hodder Headline. The help you provided was invaluable.”

Max Kinnings, Hitman and The Fixer, Hodder

The Dangerous Sports Euthanasia 
        Society

I found it invaluable to receive a thoughtful and perceptive report on the strengths and weaknesses of my novel from a professional whose opinions I could trust.”

Christine Coleman, The Dangerous Sports Euthanasia Society, Transita

Zade

If it wasn’t for TLC, my novel just wouldn’t have made it. ”

Heather Reyes, Zade, Saqi

Jammy Dodgers

Macmillan have commissioned my fourth children’s book in the Jammy Dodgers series. Without the Literary Consultancy’s help with the first book I would never have got this far.”

Brenda Sivers Bowering, Jammy Dodgers series, Macmillan

Who's Afraid of The Teddy Bear's 
        Picnic

I would like to thank TLC for making my book publishable. ”

Pam Smart, Who’s Afraid of The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Chipmunk Publishing

Pale as the Dead

It is no exaggeration to say that The Literary Consultancy’s advice and encouragement was invaluable to me when I was writing my first novel, Isabella.”

Fiona Mountain, Pale as the Dead and Isabella, Orion

Habitus

I think it’s fair to say that I owe my career to TLC, editorially and financially. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone.”

James Flint, Habitus and 52 Ways to Magic America, Fourth Estate

Erskine's Box

TLC’s report and recommendation enabled me to secure an excellent agent and a superb two book deal.”

Kim Lloyd, Erskine’s Box, Sceptre

Does Snogging Count as Exercise?

TLC’s feedback motivated me to keep going with my first novel,
which is now on the bookshop shelves!”

Helen Salter, Does Snogging Count as Exercise?, Piccadilly Press

Something in the Sea

I am awed by your reader’s philosophical, novelistic and teaching skills. I can’t thank her enough.”

Y. J.M Bonavero, Something in the Sea, Bloomsbury

The Thousand Petalled Daisy

Thank you for your kindness and encouragement and for choosing such a perfect reader.”

Norman Thomas, The Thousand Petalled Daisy, Maia Press

Leaving Patrick

TLC was invaluable to me for my novel. I wouldn’t dream of sending a completed novel to my publisher without having TLC look at it first.”

Prue Leith, Leaving Patrick, Sisters and A Lovesome Thing, Penguin Books

Cox's Navy

I am convinced my book’s success is due to the down to earth, practical advice The Literary Consultancy gave me.”

Tony Booth, Cox’s Navy, Pen and Sword

The Pig Bin

Many thanks to your excellent consultancy for its invaluable contribution to making this possible.”

Michael Richardson, The Pig Bin, Tindall Street Press

Before I Die

TLC introduced my work to agents and publishers on my behalf. I suspect no-one would have looked at it otherwise.”

Jenny Downham, Before I Die, David Fickling Books, Random House

The Pools

The advice I received from Anna was detailed, forthright yet encouraging, and pretty spot on. When my agent sent the book off again, we secured a deal with Serpent’s Tail. ”

Bethan Roberts, The Pools, Serpent’s Tail

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