Here is some of the feedback Lily and Zoe have received for their critiquing and mentoring services:
‘Zoe is a brilliant manuscript consultant. Her fiction diagnostics are excellent, her desk-side manner warm and sensitive. I was excited to receive pages of carefully considered notes on my writing, breaking down different areas to work on. Zoe really understands how humans work, how readers read, and the way characters need to be shaped by those things. Most of all she GOT my book, a feeling so satisfying that the long labour of writing already seemed worth it.’
EC, 2021
‘The experience of forming new ideas through Lily’s mentoring enabled me to find my real, true voice. I have now finally found exactly the right agent for the book, and the mentoring relationship is triggering unexpected opportunities, as Lily and I are finding new ways to work together, which feels wonderful.’
C, 2023
‘After my MA in Creative Writing it has been a wonderful opportunity to have Zoe as a mentor. Following an initial meeting to discuss my ideas Zoe understood what I was trying to achieve and her feedback is always detailed and hones in on salient points. She is always very supportive and the critique sessions have enabled me to take my stories in new directions focusing on characterisation, structure, time and tense, allowing me to make final edits and decisions.’
MS, 2020
‘I spent the second half of 2022 immersed in writing a memoir under Lily’s brilliant mentorship. Lily’s insight and advice not only helped me find my voice and shape the core narrative, but propelled me to keep at it! The combination of her big-picture feedback, with line by line comments…followed up by a one-hour online chat worked brilliantly. In just six months, I learnt so much.’
S, 2023
‘Zoe’s feedback has been invaluable. She really knows how to encourage and extrapolate the strengths within my writing and is always able to suggest angles or approaches that I had not considered.’
SD, 2019
‘I owe a lot to Lily Dunn. Extracts from my work-in-progress had been published and won prizes, but I was struggling to make the two main themes (a dysfunctional family and planespotting!) gel. Lily was instrumental in helping me find a way to do so and the rest is history: Final Approach: My Father and Other Turbulence was shortlisted for the TLC Pen Factor Pitch Prize and will be published by Claret Press this November.’
M, 2023
‘Zoe undertook a review of my full manuscript. Zoe’s clear-thinking objectivity gave me the overview I needed as I was finding it hard to step back from my own work. Her input was incisive and intelligent and it gave me the impetus I needed to make essential changes to improve my writing.’
CC, 2018
‘Zoe’s mentorship is both generous and generative. I especially appreciated her ability to find ways to extend initial ideas. While always respecting my vision of a piece of writing, she elicited many improvements to its craft, content and impact.’
MF, 2017
‘Lily provided specific and supportive feedback to help me develop my writing.. With fast turnaround and negotiated goals, I have been able to grow in confidence and skills. I had a piece of flash fiction accepted for publication after making suggested edits which had previously been rejected.’
SH, 2017
‘When I contacted Zoe, it was to get a short-term help with re-plotting a part of my manuscript for my final MA submission. However, as we started working together, I quickly realised that she would be a great person to become my long-term mentor and help me to complete my novel. She is exactly how I need my mentor to be: encouraging and insightful, very professional and great at keeping deadlines, accommodating yet goal oriented. She helps me to stay on track, but most importantly she shows genuine interest in my work and in finding ways to make it the best it can be. I’m so pleased I’ve met her!’
NM, 2017
‘Zoe did a thorough editing on my manuscripts. Her comments were insightful and thought provoking, and her suggestions for improving dialogue, setting and conflict were spot on. She has a sound knowledge of the modern short story and I highly recommend her to anyone who wants to improve their writing. She is a pleasure to work with, always supportive and encouraging.’
FA, 2016