SERVICES INCLUDE : Mentoring / Troubleshooting / 1-to-1 teaching / Manuscript review / Agent submission package review
Perhaps you dream of writing a novel but you lack the confidence or structure. Perhaps you’ve finished a first draft and realise that the editing is when the work really begins.
In my experience as a published author (Faber & Faber), journalist (ITV News) and Creative Writing Teacher (University of Cambridge) it all comes down to the same thing: how to tell a great story.
We’ll work together to identify what’s holding you back and help you remove the obstacles between you and your readers. We’ll consider the writer as well as the words; the process as well as the page; and collaborate to push your craft to the next level.
“A brilliant coach: patient, yet demanding. Fun to work with because of her great sense of humour and personal empathy. She helped me up my game tremendously and steered me though some very difficult themes in my novel.”
“A thorough understanding of the different genres, audiences, trends and markets in contemporary publishing. A nurturing, encouraging and supportive coach”
BESPOKE MENTORING
My approach is flexible, to fit your needs. Some writers need the deadlines of regular meetings, others ‘drop in’ when they are hit by writer’s block or want a full manuscript review when they’ve taken their work as far as they can on their own.
My rate is £140p.h. (whether for reading, editorial reports, or online. I offer a discount of 20% for three or more hours booked in advance. You can pay as you go - just contact me to discuss your needs. Or choose from one of the packages below:
6-12 MONTH MENTORING
A comprehensive package to help you finish your novel. Seven hours of meetings and up to 90k words of reading. After an introductory chat to discuss your project and goals, we’ll arrange to meet every 4-8 weeks. You’ll send up to 15k of words before each session which I’ll return with my mark-ups = £2240
Offer: £1700 (including discount of 20%)
MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT
This is a great choice when you have a first or second draft. This is a developmental edit which gives feedback on up to 90k (please contact me for price for a longer work) considering ‘big picture’ issues like plot, characterisation and pacing. Includes a one-hour online meeting = £1400
Offer: £1120 (including discount of 20%)
FULL MANUSCRIPT MARK-UP
When your book is in good shape and you want advice on sentence level before submission/publication - considering areas like punctuation, presentation, dialogue, description. Includes a one-hour online meeting = £2100
Offer: £1600 (including discount of 20%)
SUBMISSION PACKAGE ASSESSMENT
Assessment of your cover letter, synopsis and opening 10k words of your book and a one-hour online meeting = £350
Offer: £280 (including discount of 20%)
“Claire’s feedback was always expertly balanced between genuine encouragement, and clear suggestions about what I might need to change. She helped me structure the book and dig deep into my own feelings about the people and events I was writing about”
“I would not have been able to complete the most recent draft of my novel without Claire’s valuable insight and guidance. She has a warmth about her which makes me feel at ease and able to talk about where I need help ”