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.”

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.”