Your writing mentor Gary Gibson
Learn from a leading Science Fiction author
Learn from a leading Science Fiction author
Gary Gibson a leading author of hard science fiction, space opera and post-apocalyptic fiction.
Since the mid-2000s Gary Gibson has had ten science fiction novels published by Pan MacMillan, along with shorter works and novellas appearing through small press publishers including Newcon Press. He’s also worked with over a hundred unpublished authors since 2009 while also working as a structural editor on a number of traditionally published science fiction novels.
Prior to this, he took part in or ran writers workshops in his home town of Glasgow since 1990, when he made his first professional short fiction sale.
These days he lives in the Far East, working on new novels and stories and as a freelance editor.
Specialises in: Science fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy and horror.
Gary provides tution for the Complete Novel Mentoring Service.
We’ve been working with Gary as an editor for a number of years and seen first-hand what a difference he can make to new (and even established!) writers. If you’re writing Sci-fi, fantasy or speculative fiction – you’re in safe hands here.
There’s no easy way to learn to write. In the end, it’s a butt-in-seat and fingers on the keyboard process that builds skill incrementally and over a long time. This isn’t a bad thing: most things really worth doing are never easy to learn.
But the real problem is trying to figure out when you’re doing it right and when you’re doing it wrong, and that’s where mentoring comes in.
A long time ago, I went to a guitar teacher. He told me I was doing a lot of things wrong — I sat the wrong way, my hands weren’t in the right position, my string-picking was all over the place and my chords were sloppy as hell.
But the real lesson I learned that day was quite different: that in order to progress, one must unlearn bad habits. In terms of writing, it means that with a structured and conscious approach to story construction, character and setting, one can create on paper the kind of worlds readers want to inhabit.
It took me years to unlearn bad habits and figure out the right way to tell a story. During that time I absorbed dozens of books on writing, attended writing workshops, talked to other writers about the art of writing and read hundreds upon hundreds of books and stories in my chosen genres. Slowly, I came to understand the ways in which the writers I admired told their stories, and of how I could learn from them. I put these tools to use when I wrote thirteen books, and it’s these same tools I’ll teach you to apply to your own work.
Now, after years of experience, when I look at a manuscript by a new and unpublished writer I don’t so much see the book as it is _but as it could and should be_. Mentoring, then, means showing you how to see your story from my own perspective, so that you understand what needs to be done to make your work stronger and more appealing. That process can reignite the feelings of excitement and enthusiasm that can sometimes lag in the long, hard push to finish a novel.
I get you there by focusing on time-worn methods of plot construction that are literally as old as writing itself, but without your having to spend the years and decades I myself did in order to reach that destination.
Every writer is different, and every book is different, too. What works for one may not work for another, so the mentoring approach will be tailored to your specific needs. In the process we’ll dig deep into the story and flesh out character motivation and also setting — something that’s particularly important in speculative fiction.
“The notes and suggestions are extremely useful. It’s great you’ve shown me where I need to improve and how I can get there. This is what I needed to know.“
Adrian R
“Thank you, it is really useful. All the points you have made are excellent and I feel a bit stupid for not even thinking about those things in the first place. I am working on another novel now so will apply all the points you have made to this one.“
Tim P
“Thank you so much. Your suggestions feel right on, and I will certainly take them and rewrite. And I will also take your underlined advice, which gives me hope.“
William M
Agent submission builder
Get an agent in one hour
Indie marketing masterclass
A self-publishing essential
How to write a novel
Your free, expert tutorials
Thanks
Thank you for submitting your details
Now check your inbox
LET’S MAKE GETTING AN AGENT A BIT EASIER
Download your FREE submission pack template
Write a succinct synopsis, the easy way
Write a professional query letter, the easy way
Based on over twelve years of working with agents
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Solve your self-publishing problems
How to write great book descriptions
How to choose categories & keywords
How to get a great book cover
We’ve got 3 FREE videos for you
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Plotting a book is hard
Download your FREE plotting worksheets
Build a strong underlying story structure
Ensure your characters evolve with the plot
Make the hardest part of writing that little bit easier
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Thanks for contacting Jericho Writers
We will now review your request and get in touch with you.
The agent submissions builder
Write a perfect query letter and a brilliant synopsis. In just one hour.
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
Edit easy, edit fast
Redraft your manuscript like a pro, with this easy guide
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.
The Idea Generator
Get better ideas faster, with this simple guide
Quick | Simple | Easy
How will we use your data?
We’ll use it to process your order, manage your account, and keep you informed. We’ll make it easy for you to unsubscribe or cancel at any time, and we’ll never share your data with any third party. If you want more info, you can get it here.