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

Mona Tewari, a graduate of The Novelry, has been published by Bindery Books and become an instant Indie Bestseller. Her debut novel Burn the Sea is a lush historical fantasy, based on the life of Indian monarch Abbakka Chowta, in which a fierce queen must defend her country against both the colonizing monsters attacking from the sea and the cowardly manipulations of a neighboring king... who happens to be her husband.

Mona says: “I am extremely grateful for the help of so many wonderful people at The Novelry (especially Tasha and Craig) who helped make this book possible.”

Mona is represented by Jennifer Azantian at Azantian Literary Agency.

Macmillan has published the debut novel from The Novelry graduate, Monica Vuu.

When One of Us Hurts is described as “small-town crime fiction at its shocking best. Monica Vuu has crafted a memorable debut full of macabre surprises.”

Monica says: “Signing up for a course at The Novelry is one of my best decisions. I was 100% green; it was my first foray into writing. With the daily lessons and the supportive community, The Novelry made my induction into the fiction-writing world joyful. There was no way to know then, but the positive experience set the tone for my ongoing writing journey. This is a safe space for inexperienced writers to come and play.”

Simon & Schuster Children’s Books has published Dream Hunters, a middle-grade adventure by The Novelry graduate Nazima Pathan, as part of a two-book deal.

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

Nazima says: “The Novelry was a game changer on how to approach a novel, and turn it into a well-structured, polished piece of work. The manuscript assessment was spot on. Incisive, constructive and encouraging. I feel I have learned so much and am stronger for it!”

Nicole Brooks, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a publishing contract with Blackstone Publishing for her debut novel, No Higher Ground.

No Higher Ground is a high-stakes, race-against-time thriller of one family trapped during a flood of epic proportions.

Nicole was introduced to her agent Rachel Beck at Liza Dawson Associates through The Novelry’s bespoke submission service.

Our writing coach and bestselling author Kate Riordan says: “This is a white-knuckle ride from start to finish. The secret horrors of the past are woven skilfully into the terrifying present-day flood, so that the tension builds to an almost unbearable pitch. I couldn’t put it down!”

Nicole says: “I came to The Novelry at my lowest. I’d been trying to get an agent for five years and although I’d had some near misses, I knew I only had the energy for one more try. With a recently queried manuscript in hand, I decided I couldn’t do it alone anymore and hired The Novelry to help me through the process. The lessons were easy to follow and chock-full of great information. I especially appreciated the writing coach meetings, where Kate helped me sort out the problem with my story. From there, it was a full rewrite, but the outcome is something I’ve never been so proud of. The Big Edit really made my writing sing! Add in Tash’s wisdom about reworking a major plot point and Emily’s dogged determination to see me successfully through to the end, and I have finally achieved my ultimate writing dream!

“I couldn’t be happier with my decision to work with The Novelry. The kindness and respect shown by everyone made me fall back in love with writing and made me feel like I really could do this. I look forward to working with Rachel and building on the solid writing foundation I finally found at The Novelry.”

Nikki Allen, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan. Crime and thriller editor Raphaella Demetris acquired world English language rights from Kate Burke at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency. The Hideaway, the first book in the deal, will be published in July 2025, with the second thriller to follow in 2026. Romanian rights have also been sold.

In The Hideaway, what should be the opportunity of a lifetime for five strangers becomes a fight for survival when a meditation retreat in Costa Rica turns deadly..

Nikki says: “Since joining The Novelry in early 2022 with nothing but a spark of an idea and the determination to (somehow!) turn it into a novel, I have been blown away by Louise Dean’s course materials, the author coaching, the community of writers and the incredible support from editors to boot. I am beyond thrilled with how far I’ve come, both with my writing and signing with such a top-notch agent, and am so excited for my future writing career. Thank you, The Novelry!”

Mysterious Press—the publishing home to authors Megan Abbott, P.D. James, James Ellroy, Elmore Leonard and more—has acquired Glitter in the Dark, the debut novel by The Novelry graduate Olesya Lyuzna—a queen noir set in roaring twenties New York.

An ambitious advice columnist who knows she is capable of solving more than beauty problems witnesses the kidnapping of a famous singer at a Harlem speakeasy and manipulates a brooding detective into a reluctant partnership as the case unravels.

John Murray Press, an imprint of Hodder at Hachette, has acquired Sunbirds by The Novelry graduate, Penelope Slocombe.

Inspired by the real-life mystery of the nearly two dozen Western travelers who disappeared in Northern India’s Kullu Valley between the mid-1990s and the early 2000s, Sunbirds is billed by the publisher as “a propulsive, emotionally intelligent debut about a woman’s search for her son, and herself.”

Author Rashmi Sirdeshpande, a graduate of The Novelry, has published eight books for children, was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Awards 2022, and voted one of The Times Best Books of 2020.

Rashmi says: “Utterly brilliant. Do this course! Life-changing, in fact. The course, the community and the guide, are the best things that have ever happened to the writer in me.”

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!”