Dear Writer,
TLC has now settled in to its new home, a vibrant new venue in London called the Free Word Centre. We had a splendid launch in September, with many free events and it was good to have a chance to meet so many of you. For details about the centre, see www.freewordonline.com.
Free Word will enable TLC to increase its literary offerings to those interested in writing and the writing world. To keep in touch with the exciting developments at TLC, sign up to our newsletter on the homepage of this site.
LITERARY AGENTS
Despite these being stringent times for publishers, TLC is delighted to have place within the last few weeks, two news clients with literary agents A.M. Heath and Annette Green. We wish them all luck with obtaining a publishing deal.
LITERARY ADVENTURES
Our next Literary Adventures holiday is to take place May 15th - 21st 2010. See www.literaryadventures.co.uk for full details of the programme we have on offer, in one of the most beautiful and inspirational settings in the world.
MASTER CLASSES AND SURGERIES
TLC has been present at a number of events this year including a brilliant X-factor event, run by Manchester Literary Festival. On the panel also was Dan Franklin of Canongate. All writers were of a remarkable standard and it was a pleasure to be involved.
Next year, February 13th, we are looking forward to an event at the Free Word Centre with Spread the Word, which will look closely at the world of online publishing and discuss its relationship with traditional, commercial forms; and TLC will also play a part in a day organised by the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook on Saturday March 13th, also at Free Word. We will send a newsletter out with information about how to book these events nearer the time, so do make sure that you sign up to our newsletter via our homepage.
Earlier in the year we were involved with discussions and workshops at Bath Literary Festival, March 4th, Suzhou Literary Festival, China, March 15th - 23rd, and Way with Words in Cumbria April 4th.
TLC will also made appearance at the London Book Fair, April 20-22nd. See http://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/page.cfm/Link=45/t=m/goSection=30 and attended the Port Eliot Literary Festival.
http://www.porteliotfestival.com/category/performers/other/page/3/
CHAPTER & VERSE - MENTORING SCHEME
The mentoring industry day on October 10th went extremely well. We were lucky to have Will Atkins of Macmillan New Writing, Ellah Allfrey of Granta and Euan Thorneycroft of A.M. Heath Literary Agency to help us understand the latest trends in the publishing industry - and how a new writer might best navigate their way towards publication.
The last industry day for Chapter & Verse was hosted at St Paul's Pavilion, Southbank Centre and was also a great success. It was good to meet people embarked on the scheme and we had a day of intimate, intense discussions about clients' work and the nature of the publishing industry. In the afternoon, we listened to an excellent panel consisting of Hannah Griffiths (Faber & Faber), Will Atkins (Macmillan New Writing), Simon Trewin (United Agents), Broo Doherty (Wade & Doherty) and TLC afficionados writers Sara Maitland and poet Wayne Burrows.
For information about how to get involved in Chapter & Verse mentoring scheme yourselves, do see full details under 'Mentoring' on the list of services in the menu.
GUARDIAN G2
We are grateful to journalist Aida Edemariam for featuring TLC so prominently in her recent article re slush piles and the publishing industry. Check out http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/04/publishing.pressandpublishing
INDUSTRY-LINKS
TLC continues to make links in the literary world at a higher rate than ever. Please look at the recently updated 'success stories' and quotes on our homepage. In particular, I was thrilled to hear from Susan Wooldridge whose novel, first read by us several years ago, has just been accepted by Allison & Busby having been tirelessly championed by agent Vanessa Holt. Susan says,
'TLC were beyond helpful in relation to the writing of my novel at a time when I most needed sage advice and encouragement. So thank you for all that. It was worth every penny!'
Recently 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.
Other recent successes include Giles Kristian, who signed a three-book deal with Transworld on the strength of a novel 'Raven' which was read by Daniel Jeffreys. Also, Bethan Roberts sold her novel 'The Pools' to Serpent's Tail after an editorial boost from a TLC read.
Successes also include 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 Susan, 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.
STAPLE
A recent edition of Staple magazine is guest-edited by TLC, and features writing from our clients as well as readers and other associates. Do email Staple's editor Wayne Burrows for copies: wayneburrows@ntlworld.com
The anthology features Jenny Downham, Jane Harris, Nick Taussig, James Flint, Mimi Khalvati and Margaret Drabble amongst others.
CORE WORK
Meanwhile, our core work however continues with the manuscript assessment and mentoring. In fact, as I say, due to a number of factors we are experiencing an upsurge in clients despite the credit crunch which is fantastic. 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.
I would like to remind you that Solvej, Caroline McCarthy 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 Free Word 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
September 2009
TLC’s innovative mentoring
scheme Chapter and Verse
has places available.
Click here for more information
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
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
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
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
If it wasn’t for TLC, my novel just wouldn’t
have made it.
Heather Reyes, Zade, Saqi
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
I would like to thank TLC for making my book publishable.
Pam Smart, Who’s Afraid of The Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Chipmunk Publishing
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
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
TLC’s report and recommendation enabled me to secure
an excellent agent and a superb two book deal.
Kim Lloyd, Erskine’s Box, Sceptre
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
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
Thank you for your kindness and encouragement and for
choosing such a perfect reader.
Norman Thomas, The Thousand Petalled Daisy, Maia Press
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
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
Many thanks to your excellent consultancy for its invaluable
contribution to making this possible.
Michael Richardson, The Pig Bin, Tindall Street Press
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 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
Thanks to Rebecca Swift’s well-informed advice, I was able to get an agent and a publishing deal incredibly quickly.
Tom Feiling, The Candy Machine, Penguin Books
TLC’s report made all the difference in getting The Golden Pig published.
Mark Penny
The Golden Pig, by The Penny Brothers, Lightning Press
TLC was beyond helpful in the writing of my novel. My experience was worth every penny!
Susan Woolridge, The Hidden Dance, Allison & Busby
TLC chose the perfect reader. Thanks to the invaluable advice, my book is now proving to be a hit with children and parents alike!
Karen Andrea, The Enchanted Library, Legend Press/YouWriteOn
I don’t think any serious writer should think of submitting her work to agents or publishers without first sending it to TLC.
Angela Young, Speaking of Love, Beautiful Books
The advice was clear and perceptive ... and the result, according to the reviews, was a book worth writing
Peter Webb, Ice Bears and Kotick, Seafarer Books
www.pynto.com
