Novel Mentoring Services

I am writing mentor to several novelists and non-fiction authors on my Complete Novel Mentoring course. Places are limited due to the time-consuming nature of this service.

Whereas most creative writing tutors or writing mentors encourage authors to ‘find their voice’, while speaking in vague terms about ‘inspiration’, I enable authors to take control of their writing by teaching the specific concepts and techniques that have enabled me to produce award winning fiction, published in hardback and paperback around the world by mainstream print publishers including Quercus and Faber & Faber.

My novel mentoring service is sought by authors of fiction for both adults and children, non-fiction writers, journalists and those who wish to improve their business communication skills.

On this unique course I take you through the entire novel-writing process, from the initial idea right through to the third and possibly final draft. I also work with authors who already have a complete draft which they wish to bring up to a publishable standard.

Of the forty or so authors who have come to me with an idea for a publishable book and completed the project, eight already have publishers – others have agents and will likely find a publisher in the future. I worked closely with Eve Harris on her debut novel The Marrying Of Chani Kaufman, which reached the longlist for the 2013 Man Booker Prize.

To qualify for the course, all you need is a genuine desire to write a novel, and either a strong idea or else a novel in progress. The course includes structural work, prose language work and feedback on three full drafts. Although the tuition is primarily by email, the course includes three face-to-face meetings.

For details of my Complete Novel Mentoring course, please visit my Complete Novel Mentoring course page at the Jericho Writers website.

“Daren accompanied me all the way through the drafting process, helping me turn my drafts into a fully-fledged literary novel which was later seized by two major publishers. ”

Guillermo Martinez Erades
UK deal with Simon & Schuster
US deal with Straus & Giroux

“Daren’s thoughtful and thorough editing and mentoring of my novel The Moroccan Lover, after it had been rejected numerous times over many agent submissions, was a key turning point on its journey to the 2-book deal I’ve just agreed with Avon UK. Signing up to work with Daren was one of the smartest decisions I ever made.”

Adrienne Chinn

“Daren has a clear understanding of what works in the market, both in terms of story and language, but guides you in a way that allows your idiosyncrasies full run. The joy for me has been ending up with a book that contains everything I set out to achieve and more, but at a quarter of the length it was when I first approached Daren.”

Richard Ruegg, Queensland, Australia

“I worked with Daren for about 10 months while I wrote my first novel. His feedback was direct and honest and I really valued his criticism. I miss working with him as I hadn’t realised how much he was a part of keeping the momentum going for me.”

Jo Carrington, North Somerset, England

“These notes are helping more than anything from university, self-help books, small courses. All of them put together even. Makes me believe even more that I was lucky to have got the chance to do this mentorship with you.”

David Graham Ward, Gateshead, England

“Daren’s service was thorough, insightful and of tremendous value. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. I would happily take the course again and my guess is that it would be just as beneficial second time around. I have recently submitted my finished novel to various London agents, and one has offered representation.”

Paul Ryan, County Wicklow, Ireland

“You have an amazing gift to ‘lift’ novels.”

Diane Derrick, Devon, England

“Your feedback, and the discussions we’ve had, have been invaluable, and I can say with certainty that I wouldn’t have finished the novel without your guidance.”

Jason Smith, New Zealand

“This course has been life-changing. Having Daren to guide me throughout the novel-writing process was like having a secret weapon. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the wealth of knowledge and skills I developed under his tuition. I’m still pinching myself that I had five offers from agents and am now being published by a major print publishing house.”

Ingrid Alexandra

“Daren helped me to develop a writing style with real impact. I’d spent three years on a crime fiction manuscript that was going nowhere – after six months working with Daren I had a deal with a UK print publisher.”

Anthony Wilson

“Thanks to Daren, I soon found an international print publisher for my novel, It Happened On Scrabble Sunday. I doubt my manuscript would have found a publisher without his advice. An absolute joy to work with.”

Mahita Vas

“Daren has been a brilliant mentor and has provided invaluable help and insight. He has given me advice in relation to all aspects of the book, from plotting and structure, to fine linguistic details. I’m not sure I could have finished it without him.”

Eve Harris – 2013 Man Booker longlisted

“I have learnt more from Daren on this course than from any structured course or creative writing programme, including my Masters. Thanks to Daren, Invisible Ties now has an international publisher.”

Nadya A R

“Daren’s expertise on all aspects of novel writing and how to target today’s market were absolutely invaluable. I finished the novel in twelve months and Mostyn Thomas and the Big Rave will be published by UK print publisher Graffeg in Autumn 2018.”

Richard Williams

“I’ve learned more in the weeks we’ve been working together than I did during my entire MA at UEA.”

Lorna Thorpe, Cornwall, England