About the Writers Programme
Supporting aspiring writers in creating an exceptional manuscript.
Do you have a concept for a great book, an interesting story or personal experience to share? With the invaluable input of a highly experienced editor, someone who has worked on critically acclaimed books and knows exactly how to help you make your words shine, now could be the time to write your story.
The whitefox Writers Programme is designed to help aspiring writers develop their manuscript as part of a guided process across a consecutive 8-week period. In partnering you with your own editorial mentor, you will be equipped with all the tools and techniques to create something special, from how to properly structure your story, utilise the best writing practices, skilfully engage the reader and ensure your own, individual voice shines through. Everyone has different goals for their writing, but your mentor will advise you on what makes a manuscript more commercially viable, should you be considering your routes into publishing, and furthermore, what those routes are.
This programme is completely unique to your project. Whether you are yet to start writing, or you have something partly formed, your mentor will start from where you are in the process and take it from there. In your online, one-to-one sessions you will collectively set out goals for what you hope to achieve throughout the course of the 8-weeks and receive expert feedback and direction as you go along. Our mentors have experience working on a range of titles in both fiction and non-fiction, from bestselling novels to serious business memoirs, so any project can benefit from their specialist expertise.
How does it work?
For a period of 8 weeks, your mentor will dedicate 20 hours of their time to your project. These 20 hours will include your online, one-to-one sessions and their time reading your work and supplying their written feedback.
You will begin by sharing a detailed summary, synopsis or manuscript with your mentor, who will then arrange a time to talk through your project and outline your goals for the next 8 weeks. Following on from your initial meeting, your mentor will design an individual action plan for your writing project and schedule weekly check-ins to discuss progress and set new tasks. The last session with your mentor will be a comprehensive debrief, where they advise on next steps for you to meet your goals.
*Please note, we are not agents, and our mentors cannot act as agents as part of the programme, therefore we cannot facilitate publishing deals.
*We cannot promise you will have a finished manuscript at the end of the programme. However if this is your goal, your mentor will support you in trying to achieve this.
Meet the mentors: Martin Toseland
Martin Toseland is an Author, Ghostwriter and Editor. After working in-house at a senior editorial level for Penguin and HarperCollins for 15 years, Martin decided to leave to focus on writing and editing. Since then he has written or ghosted 33 books on a wide range of subjects, including private commissions for high-profile clients such as TV personality, James May and AirAsia owner Tony Fernandes. Martin has extensive experience in mentoring novelists, supplying structural/developmental editing and re-writes for major UK publishers and private clients.
‘I’d recommend Martin to anyone thinking of writing a book. Get him to do it instead - it’s easier.’
James May, TV presenter and Journalist
Meet the mentors: Jemima Hunt
Jemima Hunt heads up The Writers’ Practice – a literary agency and editorial consultancy (originally set up by UEA Creative Writing MA director, Henry Sutton). A former journalist, based in New York and Brazil, and published novelist, Jemima represents writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction and specialises in memoir. Her books include two Sunday Times bestsellers, a Radio 4 Book of the Week and a memoir in development with Film4. Alongside representation, The Writers’ Practice offers editorial services. Jemima chairs talks on books and creativity at literary festivals and has completed two Creative Writing Fellowships at the University of Oxford.
‘I am very proud of what we achieved with ‘Life After You’.’
Lucie Brownlee, Author of Richard & Judy pick ‘Life After You’
How much does the programme cost?
The programme costs £1,500 (ex VAT). Places and schedules are subject to the availability of our mentors.
Enquire today.
To find out more about the whitefox Writers Programme, email us at writing@wearewhitefox.com. Please include some information on your writing project, whether it’s still just an idea or something you have already started.