The Novelry on Writing

Anna Brook-Mitchell had just been made redundant when she decided to write her first novel. Three years later, she had six agent offers and a publishing deal with Pan Macmillan for her debut novel, Motherfaker.
In this episode of The Novelry on Writing, Anna and her literary agent Jemima Forrester (David Higham Associates) sit down with The Novelry editor, Josie Humber, to walk through the entire journey. They discuss what it’s like to be mentored by a published author, to work with and receive advice from an external editor before approaching agents, and what the querying process was like.
They cover:
→ How Anna got the idea for her novel
→ Why Anna joined The Novelry after finishing her first draft
→ What Jemima saw in the submission that made her want to represent Anna before they’d even met
→ The editorial feedback that stung — and turned out to be right
→ What to do when rejections pile up mid-submission→ What a healthy author-agent relationship actually looks like
→ Jemima’s green flags and red flags when reading queries
→ How to know when your manuscript is ready to send

Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction
1:40 – Anna’s story: BBC rejection, redundancy, and deciding to write a novel
4:07 – What Jemima saw in the submission that made her say yes immediately
6:12 – Why Anna joined The Novelry with a first draft already written
13:26 – How The Novelry’s coaching changed the manuscript
15:46 – The ‘Plan’: why knowing your hook and genre matters
20:55 – Taking editorial feedback without losing your voice
28:00 – The querying process: six offers in a month
36:00 – Choosing the right agent: what to ask in the meeting
43:53 – What a good author-agent relationship looks like
50:05 – Submission red flags and green flags
52:35 – Rapid fire Q&A: advice for writers

🖊️ Ready to take your writing seriously? For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and community from the fiction writing school for serious writers.

Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: https://thenovelry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenovelry
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNovelry

Show Description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 fiction writing school for novelists. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.

Do you dream of publishing a book?
Join editor Josie Humber and author Brisa Carleton for this very special bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing. Find out how Brisa turned an idea into her debut novel, Last Call at the Savoy (publishing November 4, 2025), through The Novelry’s world-class writing courses.
Discover how expert guidance with author coaches, editorial mentorship, and a supportive writing community can take your story from first draft to publication.
💫 Start your own writing journey today → https://www.thenovelry.com
Read the full episode transcript here!
Thanks for tuning in, and happy writing! 🖋️
Chapters
00:00:00 — Intro to The Novelry and the episode.
00:02:30 — The spark: Brisa’s first idea before Last Call at the Savoy.
00:05:00 — Early momentum: first steps and the initial hurdles.
00:07:30 — Building a first draft: routine, accountability, structure.
00:10:00 — Editorial feedback at The Novelry: how guidance sharpened the work.
00:17:30 — Submission strategy: polishing for agents and editors.
00:20:00 — Finding an agent: outreach, conversations, next moves.
00:22:30 — After the ‘yes’: refinement and forward plan.
00:25:00 — Craft breakthroughs that made the draft sing.
00:30:00 — The book deal moment and what followed.
00:32:30 — Nailing your hook and pitch.
00:35:00 — Loving the process (and looking ahead to launch).
00:37:30 — Gratitude, and advice for writers at every stage.
00:40:00 — Invitation to begin: how The Novelry can help you start today!
Guest Bios
Brisa Carleton was introduced by The Novelry to literary agent Rebecca Scherer at the Jane Rotrosen Agency, and went on to sign a book deal with Grand Central Publishing, an imprint of Hachette, for her debut novel, Last Call at the Savoy. **Pitched for readers of Josie Silver and Fiona Davis and set at the legendary London hotel, the novel follows a young writer who helps uncover the history of the famed American Bar’s first (and forgotten) female bartender, Ada Coleman.
Josie Humber is Deputy Editorial Director at The Novelry, and previously a Senior Commissioning Editor at Hodder & Stoughton (Hachette), home to authors including Jodi Picoult, Stephen King, David Nicholls, and Erin Kelly. Josie has worked with bestselling authors such as Kate Mosse, Kate Morton, and Joanna Trollope.
Resources
Don’t know where to begin? Check out these blog posts for insight on how to write a compelling story:
What is a Story? Uncovering the Art of Great Storytelling
Novel Ideas and Where to Find Them
The Novelry on Writing Podcast: How to Write a Page-Turning Story
🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast and YouTube channel for more writing tips, podcast episodes, and creative inspiration! Hit the bell icon to stay updated.
📚 Ready to take your writing to the next level? For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
❓Have a question? Email us at hello@thenovelry.com.

Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: https://thenovelry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenovelry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenovelry/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thenovelry/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenovelry
Twitter: https://x.com/thenovelry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNovelry
Show description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s No.1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5 reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.

Writing prose in fiction is all about using your unique voice. In this final bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, authors Tara Conklin and Urban Waite dive into:
✍️ How to avoid overwriting
✍️ Tips for writing dialogue
✍️ Writing prompts to get you started
How are you telling your story? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 for the best first three pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.
Perfect for fiction writers seeking to enhance their novel openings and craft a setting that captivates readers. Whether you’re a new writer or have a few books under your belt, these writing tips will help you craft more engaging story beginnings and make your first three pages stand out.
Thanks for tuning in, and happy writing! 🖋️
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
02:00 What is Prose?
04:18 How to Avoid Overwriting
05:18 Clichés
07:07 The Next Big Story Prize
07:38 Writing Dialogue in Prose
09:28 Concrete Tips for Writing Prose
11:26 Writing Prompts

Guest Bios
Tara Conklin is the New York Times bestselling author of The House Girl and The Last Romantics, selected by the Today Show Book Club, Barnes & Noble Book Club, Target Book Club, and as a No.1 Indie Next Pick and Amazon Best Book of the Month. Her most recent novel is Community Board.
Urban Waite’s novels have been published in over 40 countries, translated into 12 languages, and optioned for film. Their accolades include Indie Next Picks, Amazon Editors’ Picks, nominations for the New Mexico/Arizona Book Award, and Kirkus Review Hit List selections. Urban’s debut novel, The Terror of Living, catapulted him to international acclaim, earning praise from literary giants Stephen King, Daniel Woodrell, and Michael Koryta.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:
Life of Pi Author Explores the 5 Ps of Good Writing
Could You Write The Next Big Story?
How to Create a Clean Writing Style
🎧 Share this episode!
▶️ On YouTube: https://youtu.be/x3jXd7FRhSo
🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast and YouTube channel for more writing tips, podcast episodes, and creative inspiration! Hit the bell icon to stay updated.
📖 Read the full episode transcript here!
📚 Ready to take your writing to the next level? For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
❓Have a question? Email us at hello@thenovelry.com.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: https://thenovelry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenovelry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenovelry/
Twitter: https://x.com/thenovelry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNovelry
Show description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5 reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.*

While you can’t get the whole plot of a novel in the first three pages, those initial pages need to set up a foundation for writing plot structure. The plot is the journey your main character goes on to overcome challenges and change as a person by the end of the story. In this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, editor Tash Barsby and author Heather Webb dive into:
✍️ What is plot, and how does it drive story
✍️ How stakes play a role in plot
✍️ The importance of subplots
What happens in your story? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 for the best first three pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.
Perfect for fiction writers seeking to enhance their novel openings and craft a setting that captivates readers. Whether you’re a new writer or have a few books under your belt, these writing tips will help you craft more engaging story beginnings and make your first three pages stand out.
Thanks for tuning in, and happy writing! 🖋️
Chapters
00:00 Introduction02:02 What is Plot?03:35 Stakes Drive Plot05:35 Inciting Incident07:39 Writing Plot Structure08:47 Subplots
Guest Bios
Tash Barsby was a Commissioning Editor at Transworld Publishers and worked at Vintage Books, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster before moving to Penguin Random House, where she worked with authors Sarah Pearse, Fiona Barton, Lesley Kara, and Tess Gerritsen.
Heather Webb is the USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of historical novels, including Queens of London, The Next Ship Home, and Strangers in the Night.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:
How to Raise the Stakes in Your Story
How to Create a Plot Diagram for a Smooth Writing Journey
What To Do if You’ve Got Too Much Plot
🎧 Share this episode!
▶️ On YouTube: https://youtu.be/VsjTR9AP-OY
🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast and YouTube channel for more writing tips, podcast episodes, and creative inspiration! Hit the bell icon to stay updated.
📖 Read the full episode transcript here!
📚 Ready to take your writing to the next level? For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
❓Have a question? Email us at hello@thenovelry.com.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: https://thenovelry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenovelry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenovelry/
Twitter: https://x.com/thenovelry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNovelry
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenovelry
Show description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5 reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.*

Setting or Place in a story is a crucial component of a novel. In this bonus episode of The Novelry on Writing, author Gina Sorell and editor Sorcha Rose dive into:
✍️ What is place or setting, and why it’s important to a story✍️ How to write setting in a novel✍️ How setting can act as an antagonist
Where does your story take place? Submit your work to The Next Big Story prize, where you could win $100,000 for the best first three pages of a novel. T&Cs apply—see website for details.
Perfect for fiction writers seeking to enhance their novel openings and craft a setting that captivates readers. Whether you’re a new writer or have a few books under your belt, these writing tips will help you craft more engaging story beginnings and make your first three pages stand out.
Chapters
00:00 -Introduction01:50 What is Place or setting?03:42 How Setting Impacts Character05:42 Setting Should Invoke Feeling08:41 Setting Becomes Character10:26 Setting as an Antagonist 11:09 The Next Big Story 11:54 Setting a Novel in a Different Time16:36 Setting and World Building19:20 Writing Prompt
Guest Bios
Gina Sorell is the author of The Wise Women, a New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice, Good Morning America Buzz Book, and People Magazine Best New Book Pick. Gina’s debut, Mothers and Other Strangers, was a Refinery29 and Self Magazine Best Book Pick, a Great Group Read, and an Indigo Best for Book Clubs selection. The fiction and non-fiction books she has ghostwritten have been featured picks for Today, Amazon, Apple, People, Elle, Nylon magazine, and more.
Sorcha Rose was an Editor at Hodder & Stoughton, a division of Hachette and home to authors including John Grisham, Stephen King, B.A. Paris, Vaseem Khan, and Lucy Score. Sorcha worked directly with bestselling authors such as Peter Robinson and Sophie Hannah, as well as on Erin Kelly’s Sunday Times bestseller The Skeleton Key and Will Dean’s The Last Thing to Burn. Sorcha specializes in crime and thriller.
Resources
Check out these blog posts for more insight on how to write a compelling story:
Life of Pi Author Explores the 5 Ps of Good Writing
Could You Write The Next Big Story?
What is the Setting of a Story? Tips and Examples
🎧 Share this episode!
🔔 Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE to our podcast and YouTube channel for more writing tips, podcast episodes, and creative inspiration! Hit the bell icon to stay updated.
📖 Read the full episode transcript here!
📚 Ready to take your writing to the next level? For one-on-one help writing your novel, join us on a creative writing course at The Novelry today. Sign up for courses, coaching, and a community from the world’s top-rated writing school.
❓Have a question? Chat with Nora at thenovelry.com.
All writers learn from other writers, even the greats. Write your novel with motivation and support from The Novelry. Sign up! Your story starts here...
Connect with The Novelry
Official Site: https://thenovelry.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenovelry
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenovelry/
Twitter: https://x.com/thenovelry
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheNovelry
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenovelry
Show description
Learn how novels work from publishing’s top experts at The Novelry, the world’s #1 school for writers. Hosted by our bestselling writing coaches and publishing editors, this podcast is a practical, helpful guide to writing novels for every genre. Enjoy inside tips and tricks to make your writing a joyful experience while building your expertise in writing craft.
With new topics every week, there is always something to learn at The Novelry, the world’s top-rated fiction writing school with more 5-star reviews from writers than any other creative writing course.
Thanks for tuning in, and happy writing! 🖋️