The Writing Coach
Literary Consultancy and Coaching for Writers from Jacqui Lofthouse
Adrian Quinton is a UK-based writer known for his science-based thrillers. With a fascination for quantum theory and consciousness, Adrian incorporates scientific concepts into his writing, creating thrilling stories that keep readers on the edge of their seats and make them question the nature of our reality. Working with one of our expert consultants, Mark …
We have some wonderful news to share. Natalie Gordon, one of Jacqui’s coaching clients – and a member of our School for Fiction – has been shortlisted for the Libraro Prize 2026 – a brand-new literary award that is already shaking up the way emerging fiction writers are discovered. The winner is announced tonight, 13th May …
There are many writing competitions out there. But very few are built from the ground up around the idea that talent doesn’t always come with opportunity. The Creative Future Writers’ Award – run by the Brighton-based arts charity Creative Future – is one of those rare exceptions. Founded in 2013, it’s an annual development programme …
We are very excited to share that one of our clients, Luc Albinski, has staged his first play, Nobody Told Me, in Johannesburg this year to much critical acclaim. Luc worked with one of our coaches, Stephen Brown – a playwright, dramaturg and creative writing tutor. Luc writes: “My deepest professional gratitude goes to Stephen …
We are delighted to welcome Sarah Hewitt, award-winning author and illustrator to the Writing Coach as one of our consultants.
Congratulations to Tatiana Handfield on her acceptance onto the Undergraduate Diploma Programme in Creative Writing at Oxford University! We are delighted to share the news that former Writing Coach member Tatiana has been accepted onto this prestigious course at Oxford University. Tatiana first joined us during one of our popular Challenge Weeks and went on …
Some years back, I had a dream – that I was sitting in a window, writing, looking out over the Tuscan hills. Where had that come from? Yes, I’d visited Tuscany - the cities of Florence, Pisa and Siena, even ventured into Chianti where so many English have their second homes. But writing?
By Caroline Doherty de Novoa Writing is a solitary act, and it can be terrifying sharing your writing with others. Jacqui Lofthouse was one of the first people to whom I showed the manuscript of what would become my debut novel, and my trust in her was repaid with some wonderful lessons that have stayed …
Sloathar the Sloth: A Tale of Friendship and Perseverance Writing Coach client, Paul Toms, may be best known as an entrepreneur in the recruitment and property sectors, but having been born with cleft lip and palate, he’s been a passionate Ambassador for charity Operation Smile since 2020. Whilst Paul was fortunate enough to be supported …
by Guest Author Jacqueline Smith, Head of Client Services at The Writing Coach Today September 17th 2024, represents the culmination of a wonderful course Jacqui started last summer to celebrate the work of new writers. The idea of The Ten was to find ten writers with the desire to write a book in a year …
Emma Coxon, writer and Jacqui’s PA at The Writing Coach writes about her own visit to Elmley Nature Reserve.We are delighted to publish Emma’s article to celebrate our own forthcoming Sisterhood Retreat at Elmley from 8th-11th March 2024. We are very happy to announce that we have one single room remaining for the Retreat. Do …
We’re proud to announce that Af Marseh’s debut book Tumorous Hesticles achieved #1 Best Seller on its Amazon launch day. After listening to a podcast in January 2020 featuring Jacqui, Af decided to contact The Writing Coach for some support with his self-help memoir that focuses on his own cancer journey. After their first meeting …
by Jacqui Lofthouse One morning, in the spring of 1984 – when I was working at my Saturday job in a sweet-shop – something happened that changed my life. I was eighteen years old and about to take my A Levels. My ambition, at the time, was to become an actor, and I was a …
David Lewis, artist and visualiser describes his commission to illustrate eight writers for The Writing Coach website. David writes: My brief was to capture a handful of inspirational literary figures across different practices, cultures and periods. I deliberately avoided drawing anyone too recent, to be sure there was no ambiguity about who The Writing Coach …
Author of Artificial Wisdom Thomas R. Weaver worked with several of our team at the Writing Coach. His primary mentor during the writing of Artificial Wisdom was Mark Leggatt. We are delighted that Thomas’s novel has recently been published by Chainmaker Press and recently featured on the front page of ‘The Bookseller’. In short, what …
Would you love to fall in love with your writing this summer? It’s certainly my intention, as I move towards finishing a novel. Here are some ideas to help deepen your inspiration and also to make writing fun and enticing over the summer months. Which of these would you like to implement in the weeks …
By Jacqueline Smith, Client Services Manager at The Writing Coach The Perfect Venue On a beautiful spring day in May, we were delighted to host our first Getting Published Day in London. The choice of venue was a top priority, as we wanted to create an enjoyable day for our attendees, many of whom are …
A guest post by Elizabeth Cox, member of The Literary Community. We asked Elizabeth Cox, one of Jacqui Lofthouse’s personal clients and a member of our Membership Group The Literary Community to share her experience of her time in our community. Recognising I Needed Help I joined Inside Story – now known as The …
In October, we were delighted to represent The Writing Coach at the Creative Future Writers’ Award Ceremony and Writers’ Day. Held at the Southbank Centre as part of the London Literature Festival, The Creative Future Writers’ Award was founded in 2013. As an annual development programme, it celebrates talented, under-represented writers from a variety of …
A Guest post by Paul Roberts, Consultant at The Writing Coach On Motivation for Writers Thomas Mann said that “a writer is a person for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.” So why do we do it? Paul Roberts invites you to examine and share your reasons. Edited Beyond All …
Mary Fletcher, one of our clients, interviews Mark Leggatt, crime writer and consultant at The Writing Coach. Within moments, the efficiency and analytical cunning of Mark Leggatt are obvious. His no-nonsense business approach to the submission process is illustrated by his punctual arrival to the video-call and the darkly lit room he dwells in. …
Join us for a discussion exploring the space that literature can offer amidst the current crisis. All proceeds to the charity War Child. Join authors Miranda Gold, Alice Jolly, Fran Lock, and Ana Seferović (see more details below) for Fragile Borders, Fragile Bodies at The Tabernacle Church, London on Friday 8th April from 6.30pm, …
A guest post by Jacqueline Smith, member of Inside Story. My first experience of The Writing Coach was through joining Inside Story, but I’d first met Jacqui many years ago when she was teaching creative writing courses at Richmond College. Fast forward twenty odd years of life, work and family to February 2021 and the …
Jacqueline Smith interviews Michelle Graham Taylor, a previous client of The Writing Coach, about her book The Ghost of a Lie. ‘Like a Runner Needs to Run’ Michelle Graham Taylor is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they don’t have the time to write a book. She’s up before the sun rises so that she …
