“I can’t recommend Liz highly enough. She has been like a miracle worker! She put her finger on the key problems with my book on our first call and her feedback has totally transformed the writing experience for me, enabling me to really get into the flow of the story. As a result of her expertise, I am now putting the finishing touches to my book and even considering sending it out to agents. I just hope that she will help me with my next project!” Catherine Allen
“I am thoroughly enjoying being mentored by Liz on my contemporary novel; her knowledge and experience has been invaluable to me as a new writer. I especially appreciate Liz's gentle, yet constructive approach with feedback and suggestions. Her notes are always detailed, clear and very informative. I can already see improvements in both my craft of writing, as well as my general mindset towards writing as a longterm venture. Liz has been fantastic about fitting in sessions around my family commitments and availability. I wouldn't be making the progress I am without the mentoring Liz has given me. Highly recommended.” Samina Hussain
"Liz mentored me as part of the WriteMentor summer programme, and her guidance and advice on my middle grade adventure story were absolutely invaluable. The notes I received from Liz were clear, insightful, detailed and always so kindly phrased. I immediately felt that she understood my story and characters, and her genuine enthusiasm for my writing was extremely encouraging and made me feel so much more confident going into the submissions process. My story is without a doubt much stronger as a result of Liz's mentorship, and I know I will take her advice forward into future writing projects." Becky Orwin
“Working with Liz was one of the highlights of 2020. She was both caring and diligent in her approach to offering feedback and would always kindly suggest different ways which always made me feel my stories were safe with her. After three months of mentoring my writing group noticed an improvement in my writing and it was with her notes on my opening chapter which granted me a space on HarperCollins Author Academy in the Fiction Division.” Leonie Annor Owiredu - Writer, Strategist, Diversity Consultant
“Working with Liz has been a fantastic experience. I always look forward to our sessions together knowing I'll emerge motivated, inspired and with writerly stumbling blocks resolved. Liz's feedback is brilliant, so incisive, insightful and constructive - I know my work is in very safe - and skilful - hands.” Catherine Bonnie
“Liz has been the magic ingredient that upgrades my writing from ‘oh well’ to ‘oh yeah!’ She teaches ways and practical tools that help me improve on every level of the novel writing process, starting from building a strong book concept down to restructuring sentences and a smarter word choice. All delivered in a sensitive and considerate manner, which I appreciate so much, though my ego is not fragile, because a conversation with Liz is like a visit at your Granny's summer house - it feels like holidays, but you leave with tons of new knowledge and work done.” Niki Strbian
“I have worked with Liz on and off for four years on a number of different projects and I cannot overstate how helpful she has been. Her criticism is always insightful, constructive and incredibly detailed; from strengthening a concept or theme, to fine-tuning sentence flow and structure, to asking (often difficult!) questions about a work's representations and sensitivities.
Liz mentored me for my most recent project, the opening to a middle-grade children's novel which paired as my final dissertation for my Master's degree in Creative Writing. Thanks to her support and encouragement, this piece scored a high distinction and I am now seeking funding to complete the full novel.” Oisín Power
"Liz Flanagan has been my mentor over a 9-month period to support my development as a writer by working with me on my creation of a middle-grade adventure story. I cannot sing her praises highly enough. Her insights, though framed positively, always hit the mark and every comment has served to improve my story so that by the end of the project I have achieved so much more than I thought possible. Her feedback and edits were always in tune with the world & lives of the characters, giving me the confidence and insights to better my writing. Liz is a champion mentor for any aspiring writer for children and young adults." Natasha Holmes (Writer and Artistic Director of Tell Tale Hearts Children's Touring Theatre Company)
I work as a mentor, supporting other writers of fiction through the process of drafting and editing their work. I offer editorial feedback, coaching and support. I can also provide advice on how to prepare a manuscript for submission to agents.
Please contact me to ask about my rates and availability.
A first brief email conversation, Zoom or phone call to talk about your needs and goals. This is where we set our first appointment date and agree what that will include
You email me an extract of your work which you’d like feedback on, or a plan, or a rough set of notes, whatever is most useful for you
We meet via Zoom (one day this may be possible in person depending on distance) to talk about your work. This usually lasts an hour but can be longer or shorter as needed
I listen, ask questions and offer feedback if requested, but the focus is on you as a writer and what you need at this moment
I send a summary of our meeting and editorial notes if requested. These can be via email or embedded as comments in your document, whatever is most useful for you
I aim to be as inclusive as possible and adapt my process and style to meet your needs. Please let me know in our first conversation of any access needs or learning preferences
Professional experience as a book editor and manuscript consultant
Eight years experience teaching creative writing and mentoring writers
PhD in Creative Writing
Professional experience teaching BA and MA courses at Newcastle University and the University of Leeds
Teaching for Arvon, on open courses, young people’s courses and 1-to-1 mentoring
Published writer
Qualified coach
Member of professional organisations including the National Association of Writers in Education, Society of Authors, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Please contact me here to enquire and book our first conversation. I look forward to hearing from you!
