Whether you’re working on your first book or your twentieth, all writers benefit from guidance and encouragement. Our one-to-one mentoring with Tim Lott – author of six novels, two young adult novels and an award-winning memoir – can help you to stay motivated and fulfil your literary goals, no matter what else is happening in your life.
You may be looking to kickstart the writing process, improve the novel you’re working on, or get your manuscript ready to send to publishers. Whatever stage you’re at in your creative journey, Tim will provide tailored tuition on everything from the craft of good writing to the process of getting your work into print. Along the way, he’ll share hard-earned advice on how to keep writing when the going gets tough, ensuring your novel doesn’t end up tucked away in a drawer or languishing on a laptop…
Since he started mentoring, around half of Tim’s students have been taken on by literary agents. His novels have won numerous awards, including the prestigious Whitbread First Novel Prize, and his memoir, ‘The Scent of Dried Roses’ is now a Penguin Modern Classic. Blending his exceptional writing skills with his extensive experience as a tutor, Tim can help you to handle the roadblocks and bumps that are an inevitable part of a writer’s life. Perhaps most importantly, he’ll help you to realise your true potential as a writer, the rewards of which will last a lifetime.
Choose from four different mentoring options
Option 1: One-to-one mentoring over the space of a year
- A fantastic opportunity for authors of all levels to receive tailored advice for a period of up to twelve months. Tim will guide you through the entire process of drafting a novel from start to finish, and give invaluable advice on approaching agents and publishers
- During this time, Tim will read up to 10 writing submissions from you (up to 7,500 words each) and give written and verbal feedback on each of them. He will respond to each submission within a maximum period of 15 working days
- Each feedback session will involve a one-hour meeting (either in-person or via Skype), during which your writing will be discussed at length and creative ideas brainstormed and developed
- Feedback on writing submissions is tailored to each individual student. Central concerns typically include the management of character, dialogue, structure, theme and plot
Option 2: Manuscript appraisal
- Give your book the best possible chance of being accepted by an agent. If you’ve completed the first draft of your novel, Tim will provide in-depth personalised feedback on your manuscript (up to 80,000 words) and advice, should it be ready, on how to get it into print
- You’ll receive a marked-up copy of your manuscript, including detailed editorial comments, and join Tim for an intensive one-to-one feedback session (in-person or via Skype)
- During this one-off meeting, lasting one hour, Tim will offer invaluable advice on how to bring out the strengths in your novel and make it more attractive to agents and publishers
Option 3: One-to-one mentoring + manuscript appraisal
- If you’re near the beginning of your journey as a novelist, this option will help you to find your feet and kickstart the challenging process of writing a work of fiction
- For a time period of up to one year, Tim will read six writing submissions from you (up to 7,500 words each) and give written and verbal feedback on each of them
- Each feedback session includes a one-hour meeting (either in-person or via Skype), during which your writing is discussed at length
- The aim of Option 3 is that, after the six feedback sessions, you will be roughly halfway through writing your novel. By this time the fundamental challenges should have been identified and addressed. You can then go off and finish writing your manuscript, then submit it for an in-depth manuscript appraisal at a later date (as outlined in Option Two above)
Option 4: One-to-one mentoring + manuscript appraisal
- If you’ve begun writing your novel but require feedback and guidance in order to bring it to completion, this option will help you to continue your narrative and reach your goal of completing your novel
- Those starting Option 4 will have written up to half of their novel (max 40,000 words, or a surcharge of £100 per 10,000 words applies). Tim will provide feedback and direction on how to develop your novel further and reach completion
- For a time period of up to one year, Tim will read – subsequent to considering the first half of the novel – six further writing submissions from you (up to 7,500 words each) and give written and verbal feedback on each of them
- Each feedback session includes a one-hour meeting (either in-person or via Skype), during which your writing is discussed at length
If you have any questions on the options listed above, or would like to book your place, please don’t hesitate to email Tim at timlott@me.com. Scroll down to see the different price points for each mentoring service.
Tutor profile
Tim Lott is a novelist, journalist and creative writing tutor. He has written eight novels, including two books for young adults, and won the Whitbread First Novel Prize. His memoir, ‘The Scent of Dried Roses’, won the PEN/Ackerley Award and is now a Penguin Modern Classic. His column on family matters appears weekly in the Guardian Family section.
Tim is a highly experienced writing mentor who regularly receives outstanding feedback. Around half of his students have been taken on by literary agents, and you can read testimonials for his mentoring at https://timlottwriter.wordpress.com/testimonials/
In addition to teaching a wide range of classes for the Guardian, including a six-month writing course for the UEA-Guardian Masterclasses programme, Tim has taught at Brunel University and Faber Academy. He has also mentored dozens of writers over the last five years. One of the most recent is Ben McPherson, who worked with Tim on his first novel ‘A Line of Blood’, now published by Harper Collins.
Details
Location:
Mentoring sessions can be held at the Guardian offices in London’s King’s Cross, Tim’s writing studio in Hampstead or a suitable public place, such as a quiet café, or place suitable for you. Consultations via Skype can also be arranged.
Prices:
- Option 1: £2750 +VAT payable in full in advance
- Option 2: £975 +VAT payable in full in advance
- Option 3: £2,750 + VAT payable in full in advance
- Option 4: £2,750 + VAT payable in full in advance
Payment will be made directly to Tim Lott.
Please note: for manuscript appraisals, texts of more than 80,000 words are subject to surcharge at £100 + VAT for every 10,000 words.
Please note: For the full mentoring option, submissions that are offered more than one year after the first submission will be assessed at the mentor’s discretion.
Scholarships
A 50% fee reduction is available to students/unwaged individuals who display a high level of potential. To apply for a scholarship please email 5,000 words and a synopsis of your work to Tim at timlott@me.com. Please note, proof of unemployed/student status will be required in order for a scholarship to be offered.
To discuss any aspect of the mentoring sessions, or to make a booking, please contact Tim at timlott@me.com.
