Want to learn from your favourite writer?

Mentoring, manuscript assessments and workshops

As a writing coach I have a particular nerdy speciality - non-fiction book proposals. But lots of people want help with manuscripts - both memoir and fiction - and so I am often replying to messages and emails with recommendations of where to go to get that kind of help.

Don’t feel like signing up to a big impersonal course? There are a few great organisations that most people know about - but did you know that many of your favourite authors also offer one to one mentoring, classes or workshops?

Here is a list of a few amazing authors who you can go to directly - whether its a class or workshop in specific genre, a manuscript appraisal, one to one writing coaching or small group work. Linked below are their substack or websites - get in touch with them to find out more :)

Fiction

Daisy Buchanan

- award winning author, freelance journalist and broadcaster and the host of my favourite bookish podcast. Yes she is all those things AND she teaches creative writing! Sign up to her substack Creative Confidence Clinic to hear about her courses.

Huma Qureshi - an award winning short story writer, novelist and memoirist, Huma teaches short story writing and life writing and she’s brilliant at it :)

Caroline Donahue

- host of the fab Secret Library Podcast and writing coach, Caroline offers workshops, groups and one to one coaching. She’s works with both fiction and memoir writers and has offers for all kinds of budgets.

Imogen Hermes Gower - award winning author of The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, Imogen teaches historical fiction writing (I really want to do one of her courses!)

Abigail Mann

- author of hugely popular and very funny books including The Lonely Fajita, Abigail offers workshops and mentoring

Ilona Bannister - author of two stunning novels When I Ran Away and Little Prisons, Ilona offers manuscript assessment and mentoring (I have worked with her - she is fab!).

Life Writing and Memoir

Cathy Rentzenbrink - award wining author and all round lovely person, Cathy teaches creative writing in lots of places (Arvon, Curtis Brown Creative) but she also offers her own virtual writing workshops

Kerri ní Dochartaigh

- the Irish author of the gorgeous Thin Places and Cacophany of Bone is currently leading a life writing course Nesting, through her substack and has other writing courses too

Rebecca Schiller - non-fiction and memoir author and founder of Mothers Who Write, Rebecca offers retreats and one to one writing mentoring

Caro Giles

author of the beautiful Twelve Moons and an experienced teacher, offers manuscript assessment and mentoring for life writers. I can confirm she is ace at it - Caro has edited me :)

There are lots of fantastic authors out there offering mentoring and workshops - so every few months I’ll do an updated list. If you’re an author who teaches/mentors, feel free to contact me to let me know what you offer!

PS - if you do need someone to help you with the very specific process of writing a non-fiction book proposal, I am your girl. You can find out more here.