My clients attract Australian book publishers and literary agents accepting submissions.
Read what some of my writing mentoring clients say about how I’ve helped them to reach or get closer to a publisher-ready standard with their work.
Australian publishers, like book publishers everywhere, are hungry for great stories that are told well. Literary agents who are looking to accept submissions are searching for the same thing. Sounds simple, right?!
But anyone seriously figuring out how to get a book published knows that writing a book is not as easy as reading a great book makes it seem.
I love working with serious writers, whether they’re published or not.
Age, writing experience, and publishing history don’t matter when you are obsessed about your work in progress and are determined to make it publisher-ready.
When mentoring clients find me, they’re typically struggling with some aspect of their work in progress. They’re looking for a sounding board, some constructive feedback, and a sense of how their project might appeal to an Australian publisher or literary agent who is accepting new submissions.
(Most of my clients aim first for Australian publishers or Australian literary agents accepting submissions because they are Australian, though now being based in Brooklyn, New York, I have an increasing number of US clients too.)
While it’s gratifying to see many of my clients clinch book deals with Australian and US publishers, it’s possibly more meaningful to know that I’ve helped them grow as writers.
In the following testimonials, some of my clients describe the difference they feel working with me has made to their writing lives.
“Over a couple of years, Virginia has given me immeasurable help with my writing and shepherded my book TRUGANINI to considerable publishing success.”
– Author | Truganini (Allen & Unwin 2020) | Non-Fiction
Cassandra Pybus
“Virginia has been an absolute joy to work with and she has delivered on her every promise. ”
– Author, The Dogs that Made Australia (HarperCollins 2018) | Non-Fiction
Guy Hull
– Author, Lola Bensky (2014) Winner, Prix Médicis Étranger 2014 | Fiction / Non-Fiction
Lily Brett
Virginia not only made me a better writer but was the reason I was able to get my first book deal. I couldn’t recommend working with Virginia and her team enough, whether you’re looking to get an agent or pitch publishers!
– Author, YOUNG, LOST & LEADERLESS (Wilkinson Publishing 2021) | Memoir
Nick Bennett
We felt we could trust you to be honest with us. … You have been a great source of encouragement and support.”
– Co-authors, The Talking Cure (Pan Macmillan 2019) | Nonfiction
Prof. Gillian Straker & Dr. Jacqui Winship
Professor Gillian Straker & Dr. Jacqui Winship
“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
Carolyne Lee
“Virginia’s searching questions and frank feedback were just what I needed to tighten the book’s focus and cut out irrelevant material.”
– Co-author, A Good Life: The Story of Guy Winship and Good Return (Ginanderra Press 2018) | Non-Fiction
Sally Rynveld
– Writer | Fiction
Richard Hensley
“Virginia was instrumental in my negotiations with my American publisher on my first and second book deals. After receiving an initial offer, Virginia helped me understand the process….”
– Author, On the Loom: A Modern Weaver’s Guide (Abrams 2016) and Weave the Rainbow (Norton) (forthcoming) | Non-Fiction
Maryanne Moodie
“Thank you for all of your wise and considered and kind advice.”
– Author, Paris Dreaming (HarperCollins 2017) | Memoir
Katrina Lawrence
“Thank you for the thoughtful and constructive criticism. It has been helpful and I am glad I chose to use your service….”
– Writer | Memoir
Laura Garber
“I can’t recommend Virginia enough to anyone looking to improve their work and in their efforts to be a published author.”
– Author, The Secret Son (Allen & Unwin 2015) and Little Gods (Allen & Unwin 2018)| Fiction
Jenny Ackland
“Exactly what I needed to progress and to help me craft the best work possible for my story. All your suggestions are very constructive and give me a lot to work with. I also appreciated your appreciation of the things I did well.”
– Writer, about her Agent-Readiness report | Memoir
Cass D.
— Writer, about mentoring with me | Memoir
Jane Cafarella
“Virginia’s detailed manuscript assessment gave me both the motivation and a framework to move forward in the final months of my writing.”
– Author and Television journalist, China Baby Love (ABC Books 2017) | Memoir
Jane Hutcheon
– Writer | Fiction
Joe Novella
– Author, Becoming Westerly (Allen & Unwin, 2015) | Non-Fiction
Jamie Brisick
“Virginia’s frank but gentle guidance was crucial in helping me to finish a manuscript that I could submit to publishers with confidence.”
– Author, Surrogate (Wakefield Press, 2017) | Fiction
Tracy Crisp
– Author, Love in the Age of Drought, The Mothers’ Group, Wife on the Run, Fearless | Fiction / Non-Fiction
Fiona Higgins
– Author, Conviction (Allen & Unwin), (forthcoming in 2022)| Fiction
Frank Chalmers
“I am so grateful for Virginia’s knowledge and her mentoring around my whole writing project. She is just lovely to work with!”
– Clinical Psychologist, Author, The Woman Who Lost the Sun (Ocean Reeve Publishing 2020) | Non-Fiction
Dr Carrie Hayward
“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
– 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
– Sisterhood of Jesters (forthcoming in 2022) (Upswell Publishing) | Non-Fiction
Sharon Connolly
– Writer | SF trilogy
Ingrid Du Vernet
“While I spent many years working on the art of writing, it wasn’t enough to take the step into publishing a full-length book. What I was lacking was the professional skills the publishing industry looks for. Virginia Lloyd’s advice was instrumental in finally securing a publishing contract for my first novel, T. Consulting with Virginia changed the way I talked to publishers and agents. More than that, Virginia was warm, generous, and insightful in all our dealings – professionalism is important, but so is empathy and humanity, qualities she possesses in great store. I unreservedly recommend Virginia’s services to any aspiring writer.”
– ‘T’, forthcoming (Transit Lounge)