Briefly...

I started writing alone in a crumbling French cottage with no teachers and no clue and a thirst to express myself. Several-hundred-thousand-words later, and after years of editing experience, I now give you the vital insights I so desperately lacked, so you can skip the years of frustration and master your craft with confidence.

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I was once you – a new writer, trawling the internet for answers, wondering why my efforts appeared to be so lacklustre. And how on Earth I'd master the plethora of techniques my peers were throwing at me each critique session.

I spent years dedicating myself to my craft and to sharing what I learnt with those coming up behind me. That was my first introduction to how rewarding it was to help other writers. It also made me realise how much I enjoyed the art of shaping a story.

The first real shift happened when my own stories – forged in that solitary struggle – began to get published. Working with editors stoked my interest further. But I was still intrigued by the rejections. I’d heard the community complain about the wall of silence, and I wanted to know what was behind it.

So, I joined a small publication of speculative fiction as a first reader. I was amazed at how many good stories arrived in our inbox and saddened at the number we rejected. I realised what a tough job editors have; there's only so much budget and time to go around.

Since then, I've been a first reader, an editor, a lead trainer of first readers, and a freelance editor. I've run workshops and taught online, too. Reading tens of thousands of words each month, I saw a pattern: a great many writers were submitting work that simply wasn't up to standard.

Many stories were a complete mess, or meandered without muse or meaning. Others had a glimmer of something precious – a feast of lovely prose or a dynamic concept – but were buried under underdeveloped craft. Those were the hardest to reject.

It became clear that many writers needed a guide, not just a critique. This realisation shapes everything I offer.

My courses are built from those front-line editorial insights. I break down the complex techniques that separate promising drafts from publishable work into clear, comprehensible steps. You'll learn not just what to improve, but the practical process for how to improve it, strengthening your own editorial eye.

My story development services are the natural next step. Here, I work with you directly on your manuscript, offering a deep, structural edit focused on the core pillars of narrative: plot, character, and pacing. This is for when you want a professional, experienced eye to help you elevate a draft that's nearly there, or to diagnose the core issues in a story that feels stuck.

Whether you choose to build your skills through a course or seek a dedicated partner in the editorial process, my goal is the same: to provide the clear-eyed, practical guidance I wish I’d had. My insight, drawn from both sides of the publishing desk, is here to help you transform your writing from the rough to the refined.

For craft-focused advice and insights every month into your inbox, sign up to my blog Anvil & Ink.

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