Neil Blackmore

Neil Blackmore is the author of several novels published in the UK by Penguin Random House as well as internationally. His work has been widely acclaimed and is regularly reviewed in major newspapers and magazines. The Times wrote that his 2023 novel Radical Love “confirms Blackmore one of the most original voices in historical fiction today”. His 2020 novel The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle was shortlisted for the Polari Prize.

Neil is very experienced in offering editorial support and professional advice to writers. He has been for many years been a member of the North London Writers Group, which workshops whole novels by published authors across a wide range of markets. He has worked on novels by literary novelists such as Naomi Alderman (Bailey Prize) and Zoe Gilbert (Costa Prize), historical novelists such as Anna Mazzola and Alix Christie, and crime/thriller writers such as Emma Flint and Tammy Cohen. He has also edited memoirs.

You can hear an extensive radio interview with Neil talking about his career here.

Specialises in: Historical, contemporary, literary, book club, crime, thriller, women’s fiction, romance, dystopian, comic/satire, short stories, and novellas. Neil also specialises in memoir, narrative non-fiction, and subject-led non-fiction including history, LGBT, politics/current affairs, and working-class/class themes.

Neil provides tuition for our Mentoring Service.

I am a full-time novelist with much experience of providing editorial and professional advice to writers. I can help you get to the next stage of your writing journey, in whatever way you need.

Do you need someone who understands publishing and has “seen it all”? Or someone who is able to read your work, who can supportively tell you where you are at, and creatively contribute at whatever level you need? Or maybe you just need someone knowledgeable and non-judgemental with whom to share your ideas and concerns? Whichever it is, I can help.

I can help you look at your whole work, at whatever stage it is at, and see not only the “big picture” issues but more importantly, their solutions. I am collaborative, creative and encouraging. I am strong on seeing a whole narrative, what’s good and what needs work, generating new plot and scene ideas, making your characters crackle (a real passion of mine), and that last, crucial part of the process: thinking about what agents, editors or readers want from you.

You can lead the approach to how we work together. I am flexible and responsive to the fact your needs might change. I want new authors both to feel great about their work but also to make that step into the industry as smart, confident professionals. That is the real secret to a successful publishing career.

I want you to write a great book, and I believe I can help you do it. Let’s get started.