Novel Diagnostic, one 90 minute session
Stop going round in circles with your novel.
One focused session with a published novelist to find out exactly what your book needs, and leave with a plan you can actually follow.
With Eleanor Wasserberg, author of Foxlowe and The Light at the End of the Day, published by Fourth Estate and Penguin. MA Creative Writing, UEA.Online wherever you live, or in person in Stroud.
Reviewed and featured in
Praised by novelists Kate Hamer, Rachel Hore, Megan Bradbury, Nick Bradley and Rachel Edwards
Wasserberg is a natural storyteller with hypnotic descriptive powers
Megan Bradbury, author
“I know what agents and publishers are looking for. I can’t promise you a book deal, nobody honestly can, but I’m very well connected in the publishing world, and I’ll make sure your novel is ready before it goes out.”
Eleanor Wasserberg, published by Fourth Estate and Penguin
Something writers often tell me
Most stuck novels aren't broken. They're missing a map.
- I've rewritten the opening more times than I can count.
- I know something isn't working. I just can't see what.
- I've stopped telling people how far I've got.
- Some weekends I sit down to write and end up rereading old drafts.
- I'm not sure whether to keep going or start something new.
- I don't want to sign up for another course and still be stuck.
If any of that sounds familiar, the problem usually isn't talent or commitment. You're simply too close to the book to see it whole.
One honest conversation with someone who has finished two novels is often enough to turn months of circling into a clear next step, and to make the time you, and the people around you, give to this book count again.
See what the session coversHow Diagnostic helps
What changes after we work together.
- Going round in circlesA clear list of your three biggest priorities, in the order to tackle them
- Not knowing what's wrongAn experienced novelist's view on what's working and what isn't
- Feeling you have nothing to showA written plan you can share at home and work through
- Worrying about costOne fixed price, and no commitment to anything else
What you get
Novel Diagnostic
- I read up to 5,000 words before we meet
- A 90 minute one to one video session
- We talk through what's working and what needs developing
- Clear, practical recommendations for your next stage
- A short written summary afterwards, so nothing gets lost
About your mentor
Eleanor Wasserberg is the author of two novels, Foxlowe and The Light at the End of the Day. Both were published by Fourth Estate, part of HarperCollins, and Foxlowe by Penguin in the United States. They were reviewed in The Guardian, The Irish Times and Vox.
She read English and Classics at Oxford, holds an MA in Creative Writing from UEA, and has appeared in conversation with the writers Kim Sherwood and Dan Richards.
Will lure you in, then cut to the kill
The GuardianA natural storyteller with hypnotic descriptive powers
Megan BradburyMesmerising
Kate Hamer
Diary
Book your Novel Diagnostic
Pick a time for your 90 minute video session and pay securely to confirm it. You'll get a calendar invite with the video link, and a reminder to send up to 5,000 words.
Questions writers ask
About the Novel Diagnostic
What should I send you?
Up to 5,000 words of your novel. That might be your opening chapters, a synopsis with some sample pages, or the section where you're stuck.
Do I need to have written much?
No. A Diagnostic works for an early idea with a few pages just as well as a half finished draft.
What happens after the session?
You get a short written summary. You can follow the plan on your own, or carry on with monthly mentoring.
Google reviews
5.0
★★★★★
A perfect score from every writer who has reviewed her classes and mentoring
I can't recommend highly enough the experience of working with Eleanor. She has a wonderful ability to help you develop your ideas while ensuring that your writing remains distinctly your own.
James WatsonGoogle review
I learnt a great deal, and was able to apply this to the novel I was working on, which helped to improve it greatly. Eleanor's classes are also very enjoyable.
J PGoogle review
Her guidance helped me unlock my ideas and start getting my novel onto paper. She's a great teacher, skilled at working with a group at different stages of their writing journey.
John EastGoogle review
Highly informative, helpful and fun. I loved learning in a relaxed setting surrounded by other creatives. The sessions really helped me plan my novel.
Erin PoppyWrite Your Novel course, Google review
An excellent blend of learning the craft, writing exercises and peer feedback. We progressed in our writing, learned from others and we had fun. The weekly biccies and tea were also most welcome!
Emily YoungGoogle review
Eleanor brings so much fun energy to the classes, they flew by. Her writing experiences, knowledge and advice and tips are generously shared.
Ceri GascoyneGoogle review
Her style is always supportive, positive, and upbeat. I found the classes were extremely useful, inspiring, and a lot of fun! Highly recommended!
John NichollsGoogle review
What comes next
Want support carrying out your plan?
Novel Development Mentoring gives you a monthly session and feedback while you work through it.