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
Portfolio
Vanessa has 34 reviews
Professionalism
Quality
Value
Responsiveness
suzanne B.
Jul, 2024
Pinned
Wallace B.
Feb, 2024
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Alex M.
Aug, 2023
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John W.
May, 2025
Amanda H.
Jan, 2025
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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.
