Services

I help writers get book publishing deals. Sometimes it’s through a literary agent, and at other times it’s by a publisher’s direct acquisition. I do this through mentoring, editorial tough-love, and sharing insider knowledge built on my unique combination of skills as a former literary agent, former in-house and freelance book editor (of fiction and nonfiction), and as the author of two traditionally published books (memoir/nonfiction).

My clients get published. Here’s what some of them have said about working with me.

Honest, constructive advice about your book or book idea

Are you stuck? Not sure if your idea is good enough? Or are you wondering why you’re not hearing back from any of the agents or publishers you’ve already submitted your work to?

If so, then it’s time to reach out to someone who will be constructive, helpful – and honest.

Explore the ways I most often help writers to get an agent or a book deal:

The Debut: Agent Query Letter & Synopsis Edit

Two rounds of professional feedback on your query letter and synopsis before you send them to a literary agent.

$297.00

The Wordsmith: get agent-ready!

Get an agent’s and publisher’s view of your submissions materials, as well as agent research tailored to your manuscript.

$497.00

The Bestseller

My premium package of individual customised support for serious writers strapped for time by all the responsibilities of professional and family life.

$897.00

“Virginia’s editing was strong but necessary for publishers to appreciate how my manuscript could be turned into a published book.”

– Author, The Dental Diet (Hay House 2018) | Non-Fiction

Dr Steven Lin

“One of the most important hours I have ever spent talking about my writing.”

– Author, Have You Seen Simone? (Black Inc 2014), about her work in progress | Memoir

Virginia Peters

“Virginia gave me back my perspective. After losing the narrative in my ever growing memoir, she showed me how to dig down to find the stories that were hidden in my pages…”

– Writer | Memoir

Alex Smee

“Virginia’s editorial advice was priceless. She gave me an idea of how to shape the book and helped me solidify ideas to focus on for chapters…”

– Author, Game, Set, Cash! (Black Inc 2014) | Non-Fiction

Brad Hutchins

“Virginia’s editorial input, advice about submission materials and strategies for approaching publishers were wise, and ultimately effective. Thanks to Virginia, I have a publishing deal.”

– Sisterhood of Jesters (forthcoming in 2022) (Upswell Publishing) | Non-Fiction

Sharon Connolly

“Working with Virginia has been an invaluable experience. Not only is she professional and efficient, but she has a way of immediately identifying what doesn’t work on the page and coming up with wonderful suggestions to make it work. If you want to work with someone who will tell you what you want to hear, Virginia isn’t for you. But if you want to work with someone who tells you what you need to hear, then working with Virginia will be the best decision you’ll ever make.”

– Writer | SF trilogy

Ingrid Du Vernet

“Virginia mentored me through writing the query letter and synopsis for my memoir. I had a draft of each to start with, but Virginia was able to push me to make them much much better. Because of her extensive experience in publishing, she knows exactly what is required in these documents. She also gave me invaluable advice in helping me resolve some structural issues in the work. This was my first memoir and so it was always going to be a challenge to place it, but it was finally accepted by Australian Scholarly Publishing, a result with which I’m very happy.”

– Author, Choosing To Live, Choosing To Die: A Memoir Of My Husband (Australian Scholarly Publishing 2021) | Memoir

HELPING AUTHORS FIND A LITERARY AGENT AND GET PUBLISHED