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

Anna Brook-Mitchell, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan for her debut novel, Motherfaker, a ‘hilarious and heartfelt’ debut about a child-free-by-choice teacher who decides to fake a pregnancy to get a year off work.

Publishing director Katie Loughnane snapped up Motherfaker in a 48-hour pre-empt, and rights have also sold in Germany and Hungary.

Anna was introduced to her agent Jemima Forrester at DHA through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Anna says: “I joined The Novelry after I’d finished my first draft. I wanted to make sure that I was giving my novel the best chance possible and getting to work with an experienced editor was such a selling point for me. What I didn’t realize was how much of an anchor The Novelry would become while I edited my manuscript — joining a Zoom or re-watching a lesson when I needed some motivation, feeling part of the community of other writers, and getting much-needed pep talks from the amazing writing coaches. Best of all, though, was getting to work with incredible editor Josie, who believed in my book from the get-go and gave such thoughtful feedback on my submission package and then, later on, my full manuscript. Josie handled my querying process via the submission service brilliantly and was such a cheerleader for me and my book, meaning that when the offers started coming in, I really felt like we’d achieved it together.

“I’m so grateful to the entire team at The Novelry and I am thrilled that they introduced me to my fantastic literary agent Jemima at DHA — it still feels very surreal to get to say that!”

In a significant six-figure, two-book pre-empt, Grand Central (Hachette) has bought the U.S. rights, and Atlantic imprint Corvus has acquired U.K. and Commonwealth rights, to One Moment, the ‘heart-wrenching and uplifting’ debut novel by The Novelry graduate Becky Hunter.

Becky says: “I found The Novelry at a time when I was ready to give up. I was feeling very low on confidence and knew I’d be my own worst enemy if left to my own devices. Signing up to The Novelry’s course was just the thing I needed—it provided me with structure, support and encouragement. I was inspired to get writing and keep going, and the course made me think more deeply about plot and character, so that I had a finished manuscript that needed relatively little editorial change when I got to the end. The coaching sessions kept me on track and helped me work through plot kinks along the way and I felt like I had a real champion through the whole process.”

Brisa Carleton, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a book deal with Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette.

Brisa’s novel Last Call at The Savoy is pitched for readers of Josie Silver and Fiona Davis and is set at the legendary London hotel. A story of sisterhood and second chances, it follows a young writer who helps uncover the history of the famed American Bar’s first (and forgotten) female bartender, Ada Coleman.

Brisa was introduced to her literary agent Rebecca Scherer at Jane Rotrosen Agency through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Brisa says: “I am so grateful to everyone at The Novelry for their exceptional guidance throughout the writing process of my debut novel. From the moment I joined to the completion of the program, I felt fortunate to have their brilliant, enthusiastic, and inspiring coaches and editors by my side. Their insightful feedback allowed me to grow as a writer and their unwavering support and encouragement made this entire process a true joy.”

Simon & Schuster has acquired and published The Fog by The Novelry graduate Brooke Hardwick.

In The Fog, Kate arrives on the wild, remote island of Rathlin in the freezing Irish Channel for a ten-day writers’ retreat. Plagued by memories she can’t unravel and desperate to understand the breakdown of her marriage, Kate is determined to leave the retreat with answers. As the retreat’s director uses techniques that tap into the eerie mythology of the island, Kate becomes increasingly fascinated by him and her surrounds. But as the temperature plummets and the strange therapy intensifies, her memories unspool. Triggered into a series of disturbing flashbacks, Kate realizes her past hides a frightening truth, but can she trust her own mind? Faced with dark secrets and duplicity, Kate must unlock the answers she’s so desperate to find—and survive the danger she has unwittingly walked into.

Brooke was introduced to her agent Euan Thorneycroft at A.M. Heath through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Brooke says: “I googled “the best online writing course in the world” and found The Novelry. The coaching sessions brought me life! I inhaled the course material and embarked on a disciplined approach to writing. In 100 days, I’d written the first draft! From that point, The Novelry became my touchstone. I logged into their social platform daily, Zoomed with world-renowned authors, agents and editors, and developed invaluable support networks with other novelists. I wrote. I re-wrote.

“Signing up was the best decision of my writing career.”

Trapeze, an imprint of Hachette, will publish Fifty Minutes, the ‘powerful and engrossing’ debut novel by The Novelry graduate Carla Jenkins.

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

Carla says: “From the initial idea for my novel to the point of getting agent representation, The Novelry were on hand with support and advice. The dream was always to get an agent and so to receive interest from several was mind-blowing—to have Madeleine Milburn within that list was more than I could have hoped for. I’m thrilled!”

Catherine Greer, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a publication deal Allen & Unwin for her new novel, The Bittersweet Bakery Café. Every major publisher in Australia requested Catherine’s full manuscript, and she signed with Annette Barlow, the publisher of worldwide bestseller Kate Morton. Catherine took The Finished Novel Course at The Novelry.

Penguin Random House has published A Poisoner’s Tale by The Novelry graduate Cathryn Kemp, a dark and gripping feminist retelling of the spellbinding legend of the notorious Italian Poisoner, Giulia Tofana.

Commissioning editor Olamide Olatjuni-Bello at Transworld had this to say: “Cathryn is a brilliant writer and has done such an amazing job with giving Giulia back her voice, helping us understand the complexity of her world and motivations. I am delighted to be publishing A Poisoner’s Tale and can’t wait for readers to meet Giulia.”

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Emma Nanami Strenner’s debut novel, My Other Heart, is a Read With Jenna pick on the Today Show! Jenna B. Hager says: “This novel is full of motherhood and friendship and identity and loss—I fell in love with each character and was grasping for more with every chapter.”‍

Penguin Random House published My Other Heart by The Novelry graduate, Emma Nanami Strenner—a sweeping and heartfelt story about finding your roots across borders and beyond blood ties. Jenna Bush Hager says: “I love this book so much. It’s the story of mothers, daughters, friendship. It’s full of heart and full of twists. I could not put it down.”

Emma says: “I love The Novelry, I regularly dip in and out and find it a wonderful community.”

Monica Balt has signed with agent Sam Brace at PFD for her debut historical novel, Calabash Mansion. In Calabash Mansion, a biracial woman (inspired by Queen Victoria’s real “Colonial Godchildren”) marries a compelling stranger to save her family from ruin, only to discover later, when pregnant on his remote jungle plantation in British Guiana, that her husband is haunted by a sinister family curse—that only he or their unborn child can survive. Monica is a graduate of The Novelry and was introduced to her agent through our bespoke submission service.

Monica says: “I’ll be eternally grateful to The Novelry for being there just when I needed it the most. Thank you to Louise Dean for her encouragement, to all the coaches and editors who have guided me through the years, and to my warm and wonderful community of The Novelry writers.”

Moyette Gibbons, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Hannah Schofield at LBA Books for Disappearing, a book club debut about Honour Oaks, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants who moved to London in the 1960s.

Nan Stone has signed with literary agents Jenny Bent and James Mustelier at The Bent Agency with her debut novel, The White Bone Wife. A Rebecca-inspired gothic set in 1930s Shanghai, The White Bone Wife tells the story of a young British-Chinese woman who falls in love with a married shipping tycoon and becomes his concubine, only to be terrorized by his wife, a disfigured opium addict lurking in the same house.

Nan honed her novel at The Novelry and received eight offers of representation through our bespoke submission service before signing with The Bent Agency.

Nan says: “Signing up for The Novelry has been one of the best things I’ve done for my career. Their tailored, incisive feedback on the Ultimate Manuscript Assessment helped turn me into the writer I am today. My heartfelt thanks to Gillian Holmes and Nic Caws for their longtime support, and also to the brilliant Emily Kitchin, who was the first person to believe in my book’s potential. From her spot-on edits in the UMA to her constant guidance through the querying process, I couldn’t have asked for a better supporter. I’m thrilled beyond words to be working with my dream agents, Jenny Bent and James Mustelier, on the next chapter of my career!”

Nat Bawarchi Grant, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Ed Wood at The Blair Partnership for her debut novel, Finished—a thriller with book club appeal, in which a journalist goes undercover at a renowned Swiss finishing school, only to learn its polished image is a cover for something much more sinister—and that the truth of her mother’s disappearance is one of their darkest secrets. Set between New York and the Alps, it explores the seductive mythology of ‘tradwife’ culture, the insidious reach of the patriarchy, and the punishing price of silence.

Nat was introduced to her agent through our bespoke submission service.

Nat says: “I signed up for The Novelry one rainy January afternoon when I was frustrated with my writing journey. As soon as I spoke to Louise Dean, I knew I was becoming part of something special. My writing has come on in leaps and bounds, and I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to my fantastic coaches, Amanda Reynolds and Katie Khan, whose expert guidance helped me shape my novel into something I could never have achieved alone. Combined with Tash Barsby’s exceptional editorial eye, I managed to complete my novel to a standard I’m genuinely proud of.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to say I’m now represented by the formidable Ed Wood at The Blair Partnership and I cannot thank The Novelry enough for believing in me and my work. This journey has been transformative, and I’m deeply grateful to have had such an incredible team supporting me every step of the way.”

Congratulations, Nat!

Nisha Lamsam Ligon, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with agent Kaitlyn Sanchez at Bradford Literary Agency to represent Nisha’s middle-grade science fiction novel, Angani: The Starsnake Files, along with a number of picture books.

Nisha says: “The Novelry has given me the structure and guidance I needed to finally write a novel, and an understanding of the long road of novel-writing. Even more importantly, it’s provided an incredible community of writers and tutors who I feel constantly connected with, so the process isn’t so lonely. I love this community!”

Sacha Bonsor, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Elizabeth Sheinkman at PFD for her novel An Illustrated Guide to Sorrow and Spice — about family, food, freedom, and the argument that led to the very first moussaka.

Seema Punwani, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Claire Cavanagh of The Rights Factory.

Born in Spain, raised in Mumbai, Seema is a single mother now living in Singapore. Her debut novel Cross Connections was launched at the Pune International Literary Festival in India in 2018.

Sidra Ansari, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Hannah Shepherd at HS Literary Agency for her book-club fiction based around the experience of Muslim women navigating life in the West.

Sidra says: “The course content was super insightful and informative, and the coaching calls invaluable. I learnt to sharpen my writing tools, grow courage and confidence, and slow down to enjoy the process of putting a story together—every writer’s dream!”