How it works... Children’s Stories

You send us your full-length manuscript (with or without pictures/illustrations – where relevant) – by email or post – and within one month you will receive a full written report on your work.

These in-depth reports usually run to about 2000 words (usually less for picture books) and cover:

• Storytelling – originality is very important
• Bringing out your voice and individuality
• Finding the right age level – using the right vocabulary
• Style and content – pitching your story at the correct readership
• Characterisation – are your characters believable, particularly to children?
• Impact – subject matter is crucial
• Pace – keeping attention and moving the story swiftly on
• Best use and/or relevance of pictures and illustrations
• Gearing your book to the ever-changing market
• Exploring all commercial opportunities

What we hope to do is show you how to progress with the next draft, which could well make your work publishable.

Follow-up meetings
It can be helpful to discuss the report in depth. We are very happy to arrange one-hour tutorials to follow up reports and to cover any subsequent questions, on the phone or in person.

“Alan was the perfect tutor. He wouldn’t butcher your work nor
would he praise it if it wasn’t worth it. He made apparent
the gaps and flaws, made you ask question about your
narrative structure and character development.”

                                                                                                                  Elizabeth Harding