The porpoise in every scene Novels are necklaces. We talk a lot about the structure of a plot, and stress about it, and we’re right to talk and stress because… Harry 31 January 2025 0 Comments
Conveying your characters’ feelings (effectively) Last week’s email was all about staying close to character and I ended, in a way I seldom do, by being a bit mean about… Harry 24 January 2025 0 Comments
Car windscreens and fallen magnolia petals One of the bits of feedback I give most – and really, I’d want to give it almost all the time, on auto-repeat – is:… Harry 17 January 2025 1 Comment
The great books you can’t write (and the one that you can) Most nights, I watch a bit of TV with the missus before bed. She does not get ready as fast as I do, so I… Harry 10 January 2025 4 Comments
A simple, repeatable joy My last email was grumpy. Bah humbug. A silver cane waved menacingly at orphans. This email is festive. A Merry Christmas to us all! A… Harry 20 December 2024 1 Comment
It’s not them. It’s you. Friday email – Friday 13 December Subject: It’s not them. It’s you. Hmm. We’re getting close to Christmas and this email has a bit… Harry 13 December 2024 11 Comments
The easiest technique in fiction Lots of things in writing are hard. One thing in particular is very, very easy… but it’s astonishingly neglected by a lot of writers. Here’s… Harry 6 December 2024 1 Comment
This be the email A short one today. And a little bonus. The bonus is that I’m doing a FREE webinar today at 12.00. The theme is elevator pitches… Harry 29 November 2024 0 Comments
How to Sell A Book, if you have the right mindset We’ve spent seven weeks thinking about how to sell books. In my last seven emails to you, we have reviewed: If you are confident you… Harry 22 November 2024 0 Comments
SPOTLIGHT FEATURE – Saskia Leach from Kate Nash Literary Agency Good morning, everyone! Welcome back to our Spotlight On interview series, where we uncover the day-to-day work of agents, what they’re looking for in submission… Anna 19 November 2024 0 Comments