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The Writing Coach

Literary Consultancy and Coaching for Writers from Jacqui Lofthouse

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Literary Consultancy

The Writing Coach offers a personally tailored approach to literary consultancy and manuscript assessment. I work with my team of literary consultants to help you develop a manuscript that is ready to submit to agents and publishers. Established in 2005, the Writing Coach is a leading literary consultancy with a solid track record of helping clients get published.

literary consultancy, literary consultant, literary coach

Louise Doughty, Author of Apple Tree Yard

Jacqui is the first person I show all my novels to and my most important critic. As well as being a terrific novelist in her own right, she has an acute eye for what is not quite working in any piece of work and is exceptionally good at pointing it out in a way that is firm but constructive and helpful. I can recommend her highly to anyone who needs help.

– Louise Doughty – Colleague, Booker Prize Judge 2008 and Author of Costa Prize 2011 shortlisted novel Whatever you Love and the bestselling Apple Tree Yard.

What is Literary Consultancy?

Literary Consultancy is a service to writers who need honest and constructive feedback on their writing work, prior to submission to agents and publishers. As the publishing market becomes increasingly competitive, the role of the literary consultant is to help you ensure that your manuscript is as good as it can possibly be, before you consider sending it out. We work with fiction and non-fiction writers. We now also work with playwrights and screenwriters.

The literary consultant reads your work, annotates your manuscript and can either provide a detailed written report, or meet with you to discuss their findings. The literary consultant outlines the strengths of the work and the areas for further development. S/he can also advise on manuscript submissions to literary agents and publishers or theatres and production companies. S/he can offer advice on self-publishing and epublishing where appropriate. The intention of literary consultancy is to enable you to look at your work through fresh eyes and to give a realistic assessment of the manuscript’s readiness.

A selection of books written by our clients and students

The Conviction of Cora Burns by Carolyn Kirby
literary consultancy
Cuckoo by Julia Crouch
literary consultant
Honor’s Shadow by Voula Grand

literary consultancy
The Knife and the Butterfly by Naomi Lloyd
literary consultancy
The Pimlico Kid by Barry Walsh
Starlings by Miranda Gold

What is different about your literary consultancy service?

We offer a personal and exclusive literary consultancy service. You get to know your consultant. All of the consultants are known to me personally and we are a close-knit and dedicated team. As we are a small organisation, we have fewer overheads and more of your fee goes directly to your consultant, contributing to their deeper commitment to your project. We offer the option of an in-person meeting about your work, rather than a written report. Where you choose the written report, we offer a 30 minute follow-up telephone conversation to answer any outstanding questions.

I am available to speak with you, should you have any questions about the process at any stage. I take a personal interest in your success. Your consultant is also available for follow-up work on your book. In addition, there is a private Facebook group for Writing Coach clients to enable you to discuss your publishing journey with like-minded peers.

I am an experienced novelist (published by Penguin, Bloomsbury, many international publishers and a digital publisher) as well as a fully qualified coach and teacher, with twenty years experience of the writing and publishing world. The team are all experienced in their spheres. The team includes novelists, playwrights, screenwriters, editors, agents and publishers. Between us, the team have helped many clients to get their work published. Our primary aim is to empower you as a writer. In order to do this, your literary consultant will be honest with you at all times about the readiness of your work. We will tell you whether we believe your work is ready for submission – and if there is work to be done, we will give you clear direction about the nature of that work.

A few of our team of consultants

literary consultant
Stephen Brown – Plays
literary consultant
Laura Wilkinson – Fiction
Delia Lloyd – Academic

Alasdair MacKay – Screen
Nikki Sheehan – Children
Poetry Coach
Heidi Williamson – Poetry

What is the Reader’s Report?

The Reader’s Report is a detailed, written report, which gives full editorial comments on the work submitted. It includes a summary of the work’s strengths, as well as constructive suggestions for improvement and editing. The report for a full-length manuscript will be between 7-10 single-spaced pages. We also pencil annotate the manuscript with comments. Please note that this is not a full editing service, although we can quote for full editing.

The Literary Consultancy Reader’s Report includes:

  • A summary of our response to the work and our objective advice on its market-placing and readiness
  • Notes on the synopsis (if submitted) and its effectiveness
  • An outline of the work’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Comments on layout and presentation
  • For novelists – notes on characterisation, dialogue, plot, point of view, narrative voice, pace and other technical aspects of the writing
  • For non-fiction writers – notes on content, style, voice, structure and market-positioning
  • Specific and constructive editorial suggestions on how to improve the work. This will be the focus of the report.
  • Particular emphasis on any points raised in your New Client Form

If you would like to see a sample copy of one of our Reader’s Reports, please contact Jacqui  and she will forward an example.

Is there an alternative to the Reader’s Report?

Yes, we also offer the alternative of a two-hour in-person meeting in central London or two one-hour Skype or telephone calls.  This meeting takes the place of the Reader’s Report.  The consultant/mentor will meet with you, share the annotated manuscript and give full verbal feedback on the work. In this instance, the consultant will also provide bullet-point notes on follow-up work required.

literary consultancy, literary consultant

Books written by clients and students of Jacqui Lofthouse

Can Literary Consultancy work with Coaching?

Yes. Clients who are happy to submit their work in shorter chunks may choose the Full Mentor Package with Jacqui Lofthouse.  Please see the  Coaching page for details of how coaching can compliment the literary consultancy work  or contact Jacqui.

Can you help me with the package I send to agents and publishers?

Yes.  There is an option of an  agent/publisher submission package (review of up to 15,000 words).   Your consultant can work with you on your covering letter, synopsis and sample three chapters to help you get that work in perfect shape for submission. The report details what needs to be done to ensure that the work really catches an agent’s eye.

Fee Information

Learn about Literary Consultancy prices:

Literary Consultancy Packages

I want to go ahead and submit my manuscript to you. What do I need to know?

  • Please fill in the website contact form prior to submitting a manuscript in order to book in a date for reading and return of the report.
  • Once you have booked a literary consultancy spot, Jacqui will be in touch to find out your particular requirements. The service includes a complimentary 30 minute phone consultation enabling you to discuss your response to the report (where the written report is the option chosen).  If you want to discuss your submission do get in touch.
  • Texts must be printed in 12pt, double spaced, on one side of A4 on loose, numbered sheets. A total word count is also useful. Where the text is not double-spaced or 12 pt, the fee will be adjusted accordingly.
  • Prior to submission, please ensure you have a full backup copy of your manuscript. All due care is taken to safeguard your manuscript but we cannot be held responsible for manuscripts lost in the post.
  • We invoice you in advance of the work done. Our standard turnaround for literary consultancy is 4-5 weeks.
  • When submitting, please include a short (one or two page) synopsis plus a little personal background and any particular questions/concerns you have about the work that you wish us to address in our report.

Submit your Manuscript

Fill in the contact form and we will respond promptly. We look forward to working with you and helping you take your writing career to the next stage…

Contact Us

The first in our series of book ‘Acknowledgement The first in our series of book ‘Acknowledgements’ pages - for the work our Founder @jacquilofthouse does with writers. Here @sacuthbert Sara Bailey’s ‘Dark Water’ published by Jacqui’s imprint of @blackbird_bks @nightingale_editions 

It was such a joy to work on this book and to visit Orkney for the launch. 

“I couldn't help but be fascinated by this book. It uses the Orkney setting beautifully, and the islands are intertwined with the story of a woman facing the past she'd evaded for years: both in the clarity of the light and the roughness of the sea. It uses suspense and structure with skill ...The final scene was brilliantly described. Suspense, sex and selkie girls: irresistible!” – Amy Liptrot, author of The Outrun, Winner of the Wainwright Prize 2016 

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 #writing #acknowledgements  #writingcoach #creativewriting #writersofinstagram #amwriting #fictionwriters #writerslife #publisher #psychologicalthriller
During these days when we can’t yet be together During these days when we can’t yet be together again, it’s great to look back at the fun we’ve had together as a writing community.

Here’s a flashback to 2018 when the wonderful @landrylie hosted The Writing Coach’s Routes to Publication evening at @googleacademyupc (thank you Dan!)

Who’s looking forward to such events again as soon as it is safe to do so? 

What kind of events for writers both online and in person would you love to experience?  Here we were with @louisedoughtyauthor @blackbird_bks @johnmitchinson @roopafarooki @alicejolly_ 
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#writingcommunity #writing #writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife
My latest newsletter -link in bio “2021 repres My latest newsletter -link in bio 

“2021 represents a fresh start for so many of us. After a year like the one we’ve just lived – we have so much to say and so many stories to tell…
If you’re anything like me, you have a book (or play or poetry collection) just waiting to be completed – and probably another idea lined up for after that – and you are determined to get that idea down on the page this year.
We’ve all been shaken by the experience of 2020. How could we not be? We’ve witnessed a fundamental shift in our reality. Of course, everyone’s experience of the past year is different. Yet one thing I do know: in the midst of the losses and the grief, the loneliness and the heartache, it has also been possible to grow creatively, to experience moments of exquisite wonder and to glimpse the first signs of new possibilities ahead.”

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#writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writingcommunity #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife
I’m super-excited to have just launched my new M I’m super-excited to have just launched my new Membership group for writers ... Inside Story!  (Link in bio)

It’s aimed at writers who are serious about completing a book (or play/screenplay/poetry collection) in 2021! All writers will be welcome from beginners to published professionals. There will also be weekly 'write-ins' by Zoom to write alongside others, special guest authors and downloadable resources.

The weekly classes on Zoom will cover aspects of craft, focus and productivity as well as the industry and marketing our work. It’s for writers internationally, not just in the UK as classes will be held in different time zones. I’d love to see you Inside...

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#writingcourse #writingcoach #creativewriting #kajabi #writersofinstagram #amwriting #writingcommunity #fictionwriters #amediting #writerslife #writingclass
I love these women, my fabulous ‘coterie’ of f I love these women, my fabulous ‘coterie’ of fellow entrepreneurial women, all in Canada and the US - this wonderful friendship thanks to my membership of @elegantexcellencemastermind with @hilaryrushford in 2020. Joining the mastermind was definitely one of the best things I did in this challenging year and has given me so much inspiration and support.

Thanks to @lindseynicholeyoga @vin_i_vida @alma.mtl to Ali, @emilyjaynefitz @thecobblestonecollective and Karen.
I’m looking forward to continuing to connect and inspire each other in the coming year as well as continuing membership of the mastermind.

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to in 2021?

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#elegantexcellence #businessmastermind #entrepreneur #elegantexcellencemastermind
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I work to support you as you develop a writing life that is engaging, sustainable and productive.

Learn about my Coaching and Mentoring Services for ongoing support of your writing. I also offer Literary Consultancy for tailored manuscript assessment.

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