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.”

Talitha McQueen, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent James Wills at Watson, Little for her gothic historical novel based on the life of Rose Edith Kelly, the first wife of infamous occultist Aleister Crowley.

Talitha says: “Joining The Novelry was the best decision I made for myself and my writing career. For years I had thought about writing a novel, but I wasn’t really sure where to start. I found the daily lessons very inspiring, and I was able to complete a first draft. The daily Golden Hour made it a joy to turn up each day and has instilled a daily writing habit that has changed my life. The Big Edit has given me the skills I need to edit my own work. Through my submission process I had support and guidance from The Novelry team. I am so glad that I found my home here at The Novelry and I am now represented by James Wills of Watson, Little. I cannot wait to continue to grow as a writer within The Novelry community.”

Tiffany Hawk has signed with literary agent Chris Bucci at Aevitas with her thrilling, high-stakes novel, Thank You For Your Silence.

Thank You For Your Silence follows a military wife plotting an escape from her marriage, and her drone-pilot husband, who begins spying on her from 25,000 feet—only to discover her new lover is hiding a dangerous secret.

Tiffany is a graduate of The Novelry and was introduced to her agent through our bespoke submission service.

Tiffany says: “I came to The Novelry as a working writer and previously published novelist who hadn’t written a new book in more than a decade, needed a new literary agent, and had no idea how to write a thriller. My investment paid off in spades. Sunday Times bestselling author Clare Mackintosh was an absolutely brilliant coach—and so much fun! Then working with Tash Barsby throughout the submission process was one of the highlights of my 20+ year career in publishing. From her editorial savvy to her unflagging support and her expert management of submissions, she was my fairy godmother. In the end, I got five offers from agents at some of the world’s top agencies!”

Victoria O’Brien, a graduate of The Novelry, has signed with literary agent Maria Cardona Serra at Aevitas Creative Management.

Set in 1944 in a Bavarian mountain village, Victoria’s debut historical fiction novel, Marianna Kauffman is No Longer Dead, tells the story of two sisters who discover their priest’s housekeeper dead in the woods and vow to stay silent—until, eighteen years later, when a psychiatrist encourages one sister to confess everything.

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

Victoria says: “I’d been trying to write a novel for a while, but as soon as I joined The Novelry I immediately felt part of a very different world: a focused support group, and access to coaches and editors like Josie and Lizzy, all of whom are so profoundly professional they treat you as an equal and take your work seriously from day one, whatever stage in the writing process you are. That was incredible for me—to have the framework, videos, blogs, live online talks, and to be surrounded by other writers. All of it supported my goal, and whenever I was wandering off course (which was often) The Novelry nudged me back in the right direction, which was exactly what I needed.”