Success stories
Our writers go on to publishing contracts with major publishers.

Geoff Parkes, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a two-book publishing deal with Penguin Random House Australia. Fiction publisher Beverley Cousins bought rights to When the Deep, Dark Bush Swallows You Whole and The First Law of the Bush from Catherine Wallace at High Spot Literary.

Geoff’s debut novel is based around the disappearance of a Finnish backpacker from her job in a shearing gang in rural New Zealand, and the impact this has on the life of her boyfriend—who, in trying to find out what happened, discovers more than he could ever have expected about his family and the small town he grew up in.

Geoff says: “What I found particularly beneficial was to be able to step logically, through a series of progressions; compiling the first draft, learning how to edit that myself, before handing it over for more rigorous assessment and editing. I’m extremely grateful for the professional expertise and friendly assistance of Lizzy Goudsmit Kay and Tash Barsby, who ensured that at every contact point, the novel was made better than what it was before.”

Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus, pre-empted No Life for a Lady, the ‘effortlessly funny’ debut novel from Comedy Women in Print shortlistee and The Novelry graduate Hannah Dolby.

Hannah says: “I wrote and edited my novel at The Novelry and want to thank you for all the support!

Pamela Dorman Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House, along with Penguin Canada, Grijalbo (Spain), and Nord (Italy), has acquired Clever Little Thing by The Novelry graduate, Helena Echlin.

‍Clever Little Thing is a taut psychological thriller about a woman convinced her daughter has been possessed by her former babysitter, comparable to Ashley Audrain’s The Push and Zoje Stage’s Baby Teeth.

Helena was introduced to her agents Chad Luibl and Emma Leong at Janklow & Nesbit through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Helena says: “My editor took my submission package to the next level. She gave me the perfect premise line, went over my first three chapters with her brilliant editorial eye, and gave masterful advice on how to reorganize my book’s timeline to jack up suspense. She then handpicked the perfect agents and gave me the benefit of her industry wisdom throughout the entire submission process.

“I couldn’t recommend The Novelry more highly.”

Holly Race’s debut adult fantasy novel Six Wild Crowns is an instant Sunday Times bestseller! 

Orbit, an imprint of Hachette, acquired The Novelry graduate Holly Race’s Six Wild Crowns in a six-figure deal, described as “a beautiful fantasy re-imagining of Henry VIII’s wives from the perspective of Anne Boleyn and Jane Seymour.”

Holly says: “I took The Novelry course as a way of breaking out of my comfort zone and elevating my craft after my YA fantasy trilogy was published. I was keen to explore other genres and markets, but lacked the confidence to do so without some external guidance. The Novelry offers an incredibly thoughtful and intelligent approach to writing, and I still have some of the course’s advice stuck to the wall above my desk as a constant reminder! I received feedback from both Katie Khan and Tasha Suri as I worked through two novels, one of which was Six Wild Crowns. They offered the kind of knowledgeable, honest and kind feedback that left me feeling fired up and certain of my next steps.

“I’ll be forever grateful to them and to The Novelry.”

Janice Okoh, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a publishing contract with Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House in the U.S., and with Hemlock Press, an imprint of HarperCollins in the U.K., for her debut novel, Girl Number Eight.

An upmarket crime novel set in the Department of Ritualistic Murders and Human Sacrifice amid a vividly evoked Nigeria, the story follows an Igbo house girl desperate to find her daughter and a strong-willed, queer detective doing everything in her power to make that happen.

Janice was introduced to her agent at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Janice says: “I was lucky enough to use The Novelry course to finish the first draft of my novel, which I’d been writing for several years. Louise and Mahsuda were particularly encouraging and, with Mahsuda’s coaching, helped me believe that I could get to the end. For me, The Big Edit is the mother of all courses — it took my writing to another level. I loved every lesson. Receiving such detailed and constructive feedback from Tash and Josie was invaluable, and I couldn’t believe how much more feedback Josie gave me to prepare the manuscript for submission—and all for free. I feel she went over and above.

“I’m not gonna lie, querying agents was nerve-wracking—and with a few twists and turns—but I felt that I was in the best pair of hands with Josie, and I am thrilled to be working with Madeleine Milburn.

“I’ve taken a lot of courses, but at The Novelry, the tutors are exceptionally talented, generous and kind. With weekly live workshops to attend and countless recorded sessions that I’ve yet to mine, I am so happy I signed up to The Novelry and continue to sign up because I feel that I’ve found a home here for as long as I want.”

Jennifer Sadera, a graduate of The Novelry, has sold her debut novel, I Know She Was There, to Sue Arroyo at CamCat Books.

Jennifer says: “Working with The Novelry was one of the most enjoyable editing experiences I’ve had in my 12 years of full-time novel writing. After reading the many positive reviews, I decided to submit my finished manuscript for feedback.

“I’m thrilled I made that decision. My editor Tash Barsby guided me through edits to a manuscript I’d thought was ready to go, but soon realized needed the touch of an expert. From minor tweaks to thought-provoking suggestions, Tash covered everything: insightful observations about pacing, plot, and character development, the importance of tangible triggers, and paring down the query letter. My Publisher’s Marketplace announcement even contains her suggestions.”

Joanne Kormylo, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a two-book deal with Hodder and Stoughton, an imprint of Hachette, with her historical fiction novel The Resistance Daughter.

Joanne says: “I discovered The Novelry when I was ready to give up on my debut novel. After years of research, I knew my work had potential, but I lacked the expertise to identify and fix manuscript weaknesses essential for attracting a publisher. The Ultimate Manuscript Assessment offered by The Novelry was exactly what I needed. Prepared by editor Gillian Holmes, I received a detailed report, marked-up manuscript, and a video call. I have to admit, the work ahead seemed daunting, but Gillian was right, and her advice and guidance were excellent. Add to that my productive coaching sessions with Kate Riordan and I’m delighted to report that I’ve signed with an agent and secured a two-book deal with Hodder and Stoughton.

“I highly recommend The Novelry based on my positive experience.“

Milksop, a tender coming-of-age story set in rural Ontario, is out now, published by Chicken House Press. John is a graduate of The Novelry, with our courses helping to bring his novel all the way from first draft to final edit.

John says: "The Novelry—both its great programs and wonderful people—guided me through the challenging, inspiring process of writing my very first novel. Simply put, Milksop would not exist without The Novelry... I couldn’t be more grateful for the vision, skills, and encouragement I’ve received."

Cheers to you, John.

Emmeline Fernandez has signed with agent Liza DeBlock at Greenstone Literary Agency for her debut novel, A Little Grace. Emmeline is a graduate of The Novelry and was introduced to her agent through our bespoke submission service.

In A Little Grace, a gruesome discovery of a body in the woods sets three strangers on an unexpected collision course: a sheriff on his first murder case, a tormented brother, and a mother on the run—perfect for fans of The God of the Woods and All the Colors of the Dark.

Emmeline says: “When I started The Novelry, my only goal was to finally put on the page an idea I’d been turning over for six years, to do justice to the story in my head. Working with Kate Riordan and Amanda Reynolds helped me do exactly that. Without ever reading a word of my work in progress, they understood what I was trying to achieve and pushed me to find new ways to get there.

“I was so proud of that first draft that I even began to imagine a far-off world in which I might be published. Then I started working with editors Sorcha Rose and Tash Barsby. Their carefully considered advice and thoughtful edits helped transform my manuscript into something I could never have imagined—a real novel, and a better one than the one I’d originally set out to write. They supported not only my work but me as an author, including introducing me to an agent who believed in my book more than I did.

“At every stage of the process, I felt supported and championed by the whole team at The Novelry, and I’m so glad I made this leap for myself.”

Hannah Choi Paul has signed with agent Nicole Cunningham at Trellis Literary Management for their debut novel, Hyori.

In Hyori, a former morgue assistant receives a package from her dead mentor, Frankie, and is pulled back into the homicide case that ended their friendship: the murder of eighteen-year-old Heaven Kim. The deeper back into the case she goes, the more unstable her sense of self becomes, until she must face the fact that she’s the only person who can restore justice—and that doing so may unravel the fragile identity she has constructed as a wife and mother. Hannah Choi Paul is a graduate of The Novelry and was introduced to their agent through our bespoke submission service.

Hannah says: “For a long time, I worked alone. In 2025, I decided to change that—investing in myself and my writing through The Novelry's Big Edit and the UMA. That decision led me to my wonderful literary agent, Nicole Cunningham at Trellis Literary Management. I'm deeply grateful to The Novelry team for helping me get here. It's a dream come true!”

Jane Mansour, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Hannah Todd at Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency.

Jane says: “The Novelry gave me the time and structure to write. The daily lessons helped me bash out a messy first draft. I then did The Big Edit, which guided me through the self-editing process, and helped me think about submission to agents. I found the workshops a great space to ask questions and focus on elements of plot and pace, especially when I was in the depths of structural edits.”

Jane has spent the last two decades working in the Employment and Adult Skills sectors in the U.K., U.S. and Australia.

Janet Change, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Hellie Ogden at WME's books division for her debut novel, Girl Dinner—a compulsive bookclub novel with a horror twist about Connie, a downtrodden personal assistant who attends culinary school in Paris and slowly becomes a cannibal.

With the dark satirical voice of R. F. Kuang’s Yellowface, it touches on themes of identity and female relationships like in Mona Awad’s Bunny.

Janet was introduced to her agent at WME through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Janet says: “The support from The Novelry has felt like slipping into a warm bath: safe, comfortable, and barely any chance of drowning. The pace of the Ninety Day Novel helped me outrun my doubt (no time for fear when you’re writing 1200 words a day!), and The Big Edit turned my lump of clay/glass/whatever into something cohesive that still felt true to who I was, and not worrisome at all that it ended up being about cannibalism.

“Amanda, Lesley, and Katie were such encouraging coaches, and I don’t have enough words to describe how wonderful Craig and Josie were—and I have a lot of words. (But not TOO many words, thanks to them!) Josie was the most incredible advocate, and I’m so grateful she held my hand as I took my first steps into the publishing world. She and The Novelry will always be a part of my story.

“I am beyond thrilled to sign with Hellie and her team at WME, what an absolute dream come true. The Novelry performs miracles every day, and I’m so lucky that today was my turn. Thank you for believing in me and my book!”

Jennifer Snow has signed with agent Bridget Smith at JABberwocky Literary Agency for her novel, The Dividing Line. Jennifer is a graduate of The Novelry and was introduced to her agent through our bespoke submission service.

The Dividing Line is set in a country cut off from the rest of the world by a magical Line that keeps out the deadly monstrous. When one of the surveyors holding a portion of the Line in her body is murdered, two women—one to plot a course for the Line, the other to construct and hold it—are assigned to replace her segment, but in the course of their work discover much more about the Line than they were ever taught.

Jennifer says: “I joined The Novelry to improve my writing craft intentionally, rather than through trial and error, as I had reached a sticking point in a complicated novel. It has been an experience far beyond my expectations! The Novelry provides structure for the process of creating a story and bringing it to life, from the initial concept to polishing the query letter and synopsis. There are new offerings and workshops every week about every aspect of craft and the publishing industry; online community; genre-specific and cross-genre resources; and the support of book coaches and professional editors”

”My book coach, Andrea Stewart, helped me interrogate my story ideas from their first seeds through the first draft, with energy and humor, and editors Craig Leyanaar, Natasha Qureshi, and Elizabeth Kulhanek challenged me to strengthen my story’s structure, characters, pacing, and tension—not once, but multiple times. Having that feedback and being pushed to continually make the work stronger—that’s the best thing an author can ask for. I’m so glad I found The Novelry and would recommend it to anyone who wants to improve their writing and develop a strong, sustainable practice as an author and storyteller.”

Joss Wyatt, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Marina de Pass at The Soho Agency for her speculative women’s fiction novel, The Man of My Dreams.

Disillusioned at a couples therapy retreat, Lizzy meets her perfect man—in her dreams. But when he comes to life, and takes her husband’s place, she realises there’s more at stake than just her marriage…

Joss was introduced to her agent through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Joss says: “I’ve been writing and querying different novels for years, and signing up to The Novelry has hands-down been the best decision I’ve made in my journey so far. I found the course content particularly incisive, and the writing and editorial coaching helped me evaluate my story from all sorts of new angles.

“The submission process was a breath of fresh air compared to the cold querying I’ve experienced in the past. I genuinely believe I’d still be in the trenches searching for an agent were it not for The Novelry. Not only is the whole team talented and wonderful, but they champion you when you feel like you’ve hit a wall, and bring enthusiasm and ideas to help you find a way over. I am so grateful to Josie, Lizzy, Tash, Emily, Sadé, Mahsuda, Katie, and Kate for all their insights and efforts.

“I started the course hopeful and finished not only a stronger writer but… agented! It’s a dream come true.”

Maggie Bowler, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Clare Coombes at the Liverpool Literary Agency, for her debut novel, In The Picture.

Michael Lawson, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Mia Dakin at Greene & Heaton for his debut novel, The Coast is Queer—a gorgeous LGBTQ romcom set in Gran Canaria featuring drag queens, cheap booze, and a cast of holiday makers getting ready for the Pride parade!

Michael says: “I couldn’t have done it without The Novelry team. Having Libby Page as a mentor and Gillian Holmes as an editor has been a masterclass in writing. Thank you for taking a chance on me on the Octopus Scheme—I CAN’T BELIEVE I HAVE AN AGENT!”