‘In Shelley I have found a personal trainer for my brain. She challenges me to use mental muscles that have been dormant for too long and perhaps ones that I’d be too lazy to use on my own in my writing.’ – Aliya Ali-Afzal Would I lie to You (published in September 2021) is about… Continue reading…
Another writer mentored by Jill Dawson has just announced a book deal. Nada Holland will publish her first novel, Motherborn, with Lendal Press, in February 2021. Lendal Press is a brand new independent publisher; the editor is Paige Henderson. Nada was mentored by Jill Dawson for Gold Dust mentoring several years ago but wrote to tell… Continue reading…
We are very pleased to be able to announce that Sophie Forsyth has won FIRST prize in the Yeovil Literary Prize first novel section. Sophie’s novel, The Collector of Curiosities was chosen from over 500 entries to take the first prize. The judge, Paul Blezard, described it as ‘beautifully crafted, elegantly written and with a… Continue reading…
‘Jill Dawson is a phenomenal mentor and was supportive, encouraging and motivating both during my mentoring and afterwards. Jill was able to pinpoint the exact elements of my writing that needed improving and gave me fantastic advice on how to achieve this, without ever making me feel as though I’d done it wrong. Jill is… Continue reading…
Gold Dust is thrilled to announce another success story for a writer as a result of being mentored by one of our team. Sarah Aspinall, mentored by novelist Jane Rogers, has published her memoir of life with her mother, Diamonds at the Lost and Found ( Harper Collins ) and already garnered some terrific endorsements… Continue reading…
‘Liz’s [Jensen’s] input was invaluable. As well as providing endless encouragement, she asked tough questions, and picked up on things I’d been hoping to get away with (painful, but so necessary). We set a tight deadline for polishing the novel – and met it. When I wobbled about sending out – always more to fix!… Continue reading…
Gold Dust is thrilled to announce another book deal for a Gold Dust graduate. Stephanie Scott, mentored by Louise Doughty, who’s novel What’s Left Of Me Is Yours will be published in the spring of 2020. ‘On Louise Doughty – words simply fail me. She is the most wonderful mentor I could ever have hoped… Continue reading…
Jacqueline Haskell (mentored by Jill Dawson and Tim Pears) has just had her first poetry collection – Stroking Cerberus: Poems from the Afterlife – published by Myriad Editions (29th January 2020), as part of the Spotlight Books series. Spotlight Books is a collaboration between Creative Future, New Writing South and Myriad to discover, guide and support writers who… Continue reading…
I’m looking for high-concept novels: novels with a clever ‘hook’ and great writing, with characters who you always find believable. I’m drawn to historical settings, epic fantasy, clever thrillers and books which make you ask ‘what would I do in that situation?’ You can find my full submission guidelines here: http://www.caskiemushens.com/submissions Continue reading…
I’m looking for love! Yes, I’d be excited to find a novel – a great love story where the odds are against the protagonists for whatever reason, or a love song to a beloved relation, animal, landscape. But I’m also looking for memoirs by people who never felt love, or who loved their home that… Continue reading…
