Success Stories

We thought it would be of interest to potential clients to list some of the many authors we have helped get into print over the years.

The advice I received from Anna was detailed, forthright yet encouraging, and pretty spot on. I felt that she’d truly understood the problems I was having with the book, and she managed to come up with great suggestions for solutions. I re-read the MS, and, with the help of Anna’s excellent advice, re-wrote. When my agent sent the book off again, we secured a deal with Serpent’s Tail.

Bethan Roberts, The Pools, Serpent’s Tail

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

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

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. It’s always useful to have feedback on your work but with The Literary Consultancy you know that it is from professionals who really know what they are talking about.

Fiona Mountain, author of Pale as the Dead and Isabella: The Haunting Love Story of Fletcher Christian and Isabella Curwen, both published by Orion. Isabella was shortlisted for The Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

    

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 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

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

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

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

Heather Reyes, Zade, Saqi

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

Thanks to TLC I got an agent . . .

Max Kinnings, Hitman and The Fixer, Hodder

One of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever had was from a publisher – ‘Get in touch with The Literary Consultancy.’ Her letter rejecting my book (without having read beyond the proposal) was like all the others: friendly, complimentary, encouraging and ending – ‘but not suitable for our list’. TLC turned out to be a soothingly apt acronym. Becky Swift discussed the book with me, then sent it to a reader. I spent the months that followed rewriting and adding to it on the basis of the lucid insights and recommendations in the reader’s report. A publisher subsequently made an offer and gave me a contract after reading only two chapters. The book is now camera ready and will be out shortly. Without TLC, I’d have given up.

Gloria Cigman, author of Exploring Evil: through the landscape of literature

Your report was encouraging, immensely well thought out and genuinely useful.

Anthony Howell, shortlisted for Writer of the Year 2002

Charles Chadwyck, It’s All Right Now, Faber

Valerie Mason John, Borrowed Body, Serpent’s Tail

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