Overview
I love working together with authors to make their books commercial, marketable and the very highest standard possible. Whether you want an in-depth editorial report on all aspects of your book or some help writing a query letter or synopsis, I aim to give you an enjoyable and productive time as we work on your book together. I will always be candid, but positive as I very much understand how daunting it can be to send your book out for editorial feedback. Although I am an award-winning Young Adult historical novelist I also love working on contemporary fiction, historical fiction, biography and paranormal books.
I review books for all the leading national newspapers such as The Times, TLS, Guardian and Independent newspapers. I was children's critic for the Herald Newspaper for a number of years. I have worked as a consultant for Cornerstones and also as an editor of a literary journal. My awards for my Young Adult fiction include winning the Young Quills Award for my novel 'The Earth is Singing ' (Usborne) and winning the Manchester Children's Book Awards for my first novel for kids, 'Zelah Green (Egmont). My most recent novel is 'The Stolen Ones', a harrowing tale of a young girl being caught between two mothers as a result of the 'Lebensborn' program in World War Two. It has just won the Young Quills award for the teen category.
As an agented author myself I am up to date with current trends in the industry and have a strong idea of what agents are looking for. As a literary consultant I have over twenty years of experience helping authors to shape and improve their novels with a view to submission. I enjoy the editorial process and am an expert in helping you to hone, tighten and rewrite your book so that it stands the best possible chance in a very competitive market.
Services
Non-Fiction
Fiction
Languages
Awards
- Waterstones Prize Shortlist, winner of Manchester Book Awards, winner Young Quills Award, Carnegie-listed, also shortlisted for NASEN/TES, Young Minds, Warwickshire and Portsmouth Book Awards
Work experience
Self-employed
Self-employed
Over the past twenty years I have helped many novelists, new and experienced, to rewrite and hone their books and novels to a high standard. I have published over ten of my own books (details can be found further down this page) and have won several awards for them. As the editor of a literary magazine and also a contributing book reviewer to the national newspaper, I have a keen eye for what sells and for current trends in publishing. I specialise in editorial assessment and developmental editing. My developmental editing takes the form of an in-depth report on your novel which can be tailored to suit your requirements but will generally give you feedback on the following aspects of improving your novel/book:
Characterisation - how to create really compelling, memorable characters
Plotting - I use a particular template which is fantastic for plotting out taut, fast-moving fiction
Sentence construction - how to avoid over-writing and repetition etc
Dialogue - how to make it believable and to use it to avoid passive writing
Similes and metaphors - how to use them to avoid 'telling' rather than 'showing' in your work
Believability - how to create fully-rounded, believable characters
Originality - how to write as only you, the author, can, so that your submission stands out in the slush-pile
Query letters:
I also have an in-depth knowledge of the publishing industry so can also help you put together a succinct, professional query or selling letter to an agent/publisher, along with a professional package designed to put you, the author, in the best possible light.
I look forward to working with you!
Portfolio
Vanessa has 33 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
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suzanne B.
Jul, 2024
Pinned
Wallace B.
Feb, 2024
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Alex M.
Aug, 2023
Pinned
Amanda H.
Jan, 2025
Guy M.
Dec, 2024
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Most recent contributions
What do you think it means to write an "original" character?
Original characters are those who are subverted stereotypes, who have things about them which are conflicting, who go against the grain in some way and who speak, think and react in ways that are not predictable.
What tools or methods do you recommend to create comprehensive character profiles?
I provide all my clients with a template that I devised myself for ensuring that every single character in a novel is fully fleshed-out, colourful and contrasting, both within themselves and to other characters.
Are you #TeamPrologue or #TeamNoPrologue and why?
I often include prologues myself. They can be an effective way of dropping in a story 'teaser' that then doesn't get answered until the very end of the story, thus keeping tension going all the way. The trick is to avoid giving too much away in them and also keeping them very brief.
