Overview
Non-fiction:
I've developed non-fiction proposals in lifestyle, health, self-help and food/diet categories, working with new and experienced authors and entrepreneurs to:
- Identify the audience/readership through consumer insight;
- Identify the author's specialist knowledge and appeal to develop a clear brand;
- Develop the concept and the most appealing, stand-out title;
- Create powerful submission packages and sample chapters;
- Evaluate and recommend how to develop the idea for other media e.g. TV, vlog, podcast, social media.
Fiction:
As well as writing women's fiction, crime and YA novels, I have worked with debut and experienced authors to:
- Develop original ideas for standalone and series fiction;
- Identify trends and reader patterns/insights to create new ideas and formats (e.g. serial e-novellas);
- Write treatments, sample chapters and submission letters that appeal to agents and editors;
- Create titles, blurbs/sales copy and bios that attract readers.
My background working as a TV reporter, producer and then ideas development specialist has given me the tools and insights to look at readers and the book world in a unique way.
At the BBC, I wrote the comprehensive in-house bible on developing and pitching ideas, a book that led me to work in China, Italy and the UK with senior TV and media executives. I have also lectured in creative writing at Kingston University and the Open University in writing, and delivered keynotes and workshops for the Society of Authors, and the Romantic Novelists' Association, as well as establishing Write by the Beach, a Brighton-based conference for new writers.
My passion is for ideas, stories and concepts that hook readers AND editors. I work closely with authors and entrepreneurs to brainstorm, evaluate and fine-tune their story or pitch for submission to agents and production companies, or for e-publishing. I also work as a consultant to Creative Pumpkin Publishing.
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Work experience
Self-employed
I develop fiction and non-fiction ideas, working with new and experienced authors, as well as entrepreneurs and
specialists who have knowledge they want to share through e-books and other media.
I've worked with authors to develop health and wellbeing concepts, women's fiction and crime novels, and series fiction ideas. This includes brainstorming approaches, looking at audience/reader need and mood, honing the idea and proposal, and developing sample chapters, pitch and title/blurb.
In addition, I've designed & delivering training courses in audience insight, TV development and pitching/proposal writing for Imaginement EU, Shanghai Media Group and Hunan TV.
As an author, I write fiction and non-fiction titles, which have been translated into more than 20 languages, and have sold over 750,000 copies. My books are partly inspired by trends, and I also broadcast on TV and radio on health and diet topics. The podcast I produce and host has been downloaded 175,000 times.
BBC TV
Developing, evaluating, pitching and writing treatments across the lifestyle, factual and documentaries genres for BBC TV in-house factual and learning department.
Leading brainstorms, consumer insight and research work to originate formats and series based on audience needs, viewing data, ethnographic information and programme-maker ideas.
Extensive facilitation, brainstorming and training experience, plus detailed understanding of audience research, focus groups and social trends/current affairs. Designing in-house creativity training.
Working with organisations including Children in Need, Big Lottery Fund and LEAs.
Wrote The Complete Guide to Programme Development for BBC Factual and Learning, used throughout the organisation.
Wrote doc-drama script for Beverley Allitt: Angel of Death, broadcast on BBC1 .
Portfolio
