Reviews

‘I have never read so many novels and material on writing, in such a short span of time, and I have never spent such an amount of time thinking of how to write a work of fiction. In addition, I came across authors I had not heard of before and am now more interested in writers’ inner lives. Thank you for sharing a big chunk of your expertise and life with us. I knew that I was in the right course when, out of the blue, George Michael’s “Cowboys and Angels” was mentioned!’

‘The coursework was a solid foundation, but the best part of The Novelry is the community. Every time I felt genuinely stuck, I had a safe space to turn to and was always given thoughtful, positive feedback, often backed by links to recorded workshops about the exact problem I was facing. When I needed more specific direction, I worked one-on-one with an experienced coach who was an active working writer. They helped me dig into the problems I faced with my story and gave me the kind of practical advice that got me across the finish line on my first draft.’

‘Joining The Novelry was the best decision I’ve made in my journey toward publishing. The tools, inspiration, and coaching sessions helped me turn my manuscript into a story I am proud of. I have found my writing family. This is my home.’

‘Not only has The Novelry empowered me as an author and offered me the recipe to craft a novel, but this platform has connected me with a community of writers around the world. I’ve really found my community at The Novelry and feel completely at home here.’

‘The course helped to bring together all the pieces that I had floating around in my head and sharpened my focus on what is needed to bring my story to life. The Novelry provides the positive encouragement and structure a new writer needs to follow the dream of being a novelist. The community is positive and nurturing to writers at all stages of their journey. Truly worth the investment if you are serious about making a go at becoming a published author.’

‘I can’t rave enough about how pleased I am that I signed up with The Novelry. Truly. I didn’t expect it to be so well-balanced. There are so many podcasts and blogs out there providing methods on how to write a book. The Novelry went above and beyond in not only teaching, but building upon each lesson so profoundly. It was done so beautifully with great videos and written instructions. The course has given me the confidence to step up bravely (bravery is needed!) and start the book I’ve always dreamed of. It’s started a fire within that I can’t put out. Thank you so much.’

‘Joining The Novelry has been the most fun, liberating, and insightful journey for me as a writer! I’m finally giving myself permission to write the story I crave to read, and that in itself feels like magick. I can’t wait to publish the art that’s flowing through me now.’

‘What I found particularly beneficial was to be able to step logically, through a series of progressions; compiling the first draft, learning how to edit that myself, before handing it over for more rigorous assessment and editing. I’m extremely grateful for the professional expertise and friendly assistance, who ensured that at every contact point, the novel was made better than what it was before.’

‘Signing up to The Novelry’s course was just the thing I needed—it provided me with structure, support and encouragement. I was inspired to get writing and keep going, and the course made me think more deeply about plot and character, so that I had a finished manuscript that needed relatively little editorial change when I got to the end. The coaching sessions kept me on track and helped me work through plot kinks along the way and I felt like I had a real champion through the whole process.’

‘Since joining The Novelry in early 2022 with nothing but a spark of an idea and the determination to (somehow!) turn it into a novel, I have been blown away by Louise Dean’s course materials, the author coaching, the community of writers and the incredible support from editors to boot. I am beyond thrilled with how far I’ve come, both with my writing and signing with such a top-notch agent, and am so excited for my future writing career. Thank you, The Novelry!’

‘The expertise, encouragement, and honesty I received—from the editor, the coaches, and the structure of the course itself—gave me the confidence to push past my limits and produce the strongest work I’ve ever written. I’m deeply grateful.’

‘The Big Write has brought me to a solid first draft in 90 days. I’ve enjoyed the variety of the daily lessons. They’ve kept me thinking in different ways about the mechanics of what I’m doing on the page and the way the writing fits my daily life and feeds off my entire life. My writing coach is an amazing cheerleader. She’s been able to point out areas of my story that need building on and made me really think about my characters’ journeys and the ways they interconnect.’

‘I believe The Novelry is going to be an essential part of my growth as a beginning writer. I had no idea where to begin, and even the reading and researching I had done had not been nearly as beneficial to my starting my novel, let alone actually writing it. I am beyond pleased with this program.’

‘I have always wanted to write, but I was never convinced I had the talent or ability. I have now completed three courses. I have read widely, I have started writing, and I believe now that I can achieve what I want and finally write a novel. Above all, I have thoroughly enjoyed every single minute and would love to do it all over again. A brilliant journey of discovery, not only about books and writing but also about my abilities and confidence, leaving me not only more knowledgeable but also better understanding myself.’

‘I’ve loved my time with The Novelry. Without it, I don’t think I would have been shortlisted for The Book Edit Writer’s Prize and had three requests for full manuscripts. The coaching sessions have been invaluable and my confidence has grown exponentially.’

‘The Novelry gave me the confidence to prioritize my writing above all else and made me realize my first draft does not need to be perfect, it needs to be finished. This journey has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. It has given me the confidence in my ideas and the tools with which to craft them into a tangible, real first draft that I can now hone into something even better. It gave me the permission to dream big and to work towards that dream.’

‘I wrote a book within 90 days! I would feel a certain way or wonder about a concept and then like magic, the lesson or my ultra fabulous coach would guide me onto the right path, or explain a confusion I had. Always with positive support and the familiarity that what I was going through was expected, normal, and was experienced by other writers all the time.’

‘I wanted to write a novel and I knew I couldn’t do it alone. Every time I stumbled, The Novelry caught me with wisdom from coaches, workshops, and fellow writers. I cannot imagine writing without them now! I’m in the right place.’

‘The layered teaching approach makes The Novelry a good fit for any writer at any stage of their journey. Each layer seamlessly builds upon the last. I especially enjoyed the self-paced structure that allowed me to absorb lessons at my own rhythm.’

‘I’m grateful to exist at a time when The Novelry does. I have made more progress with writing than ever before. I have started a regular writing routine. I have started to believe in my own perspective.’

‘My experience on this course was absolutely magical. It revived my love for writing and I feel more confident. It gave me great understanding, enhancement of creativity, and the ability to break down what I need to create a great story.’

‘Now I know I don’t have to write things perfectly on the first try—it’s unrealistic. I have a cohesive outline for my novel that includes theme and character arc. This has been a major game changer for my writing.’

‘I had plenty of story ideas, but would they have mileage and momentum? Thanks to the course, I now believe I can do it. I have developed positivity and self-belief. I wish I’d jumped into The Novelry years ago.’

‘I was able to get into a great routine and carve out a solid word count during each writing session. The coaching appointments were great and the experience holds you accountable. Without this course, I’d be way behind.’

‘I was feeling extremely stuck. The ability to speak to someone and get their perspective was instrumental. The Novelry is fantastic. I cannot give enough credit to the amazing mentors who were invaluable in helping me complete my draft!’

‘The Novelry is so intelligent and beautifully put together. I loved the lessons—the content is above and beyond anything else I’ve seen. Beyond that, there’s real heart to every lesson and that’s the center of The Novelry.’

‘For the first time, my writing has a shape, structure and momentum that I was missing. I feel inspired and more focused, and I’m confident that I’ll get to the end. I feel fully supported and empowered.’

‘Without a doubt, the single best thing I could’ve done for my writing career. The coaching sessions were wonderful, the community is amazing. The Novelry always has the answer. I’m so grateful to them for guiding me in my publishing journey.’

‘The Novelry gave me what I was lacking. I feel like a professional writer working my craft and not a hobbyist floundering. I enjoyed the guided process, the time with my mentor, and just getting the first draft written!’

‘The Novelry combines the magic of emotion with conscious planning and structuring. Truly a wonderful experience. This course has been fantastic in all regards, well worth its cost and more. I have all the tools I need to succeed.’

‘The structure of the courses kept me focused and I felt closely accompanied by the coach. I’m empowered to write my novel, but best of all, the course helped me feel at ease every step of the way. It works!’

‘I have learnt so much from The Novelry and their amazing coaches and editors. The sense of community among writers completely changed my life. I’ve made real-life friends through this course and I would recommend it to anyone.’

‘Wow, just wow. I thoroughly enjoyed this course, more than any I’ve done before. It’s insightful, balanced, encouraging, honest and fun. I learned more from this course than I have in writing fiction for the last five years. Thank you.’

‘This has been SO worthwhile. Between the lessons, feedback from coaches, the community, Catch Up TV, and the blog posts, I’ve learned so much and felt so supported and “seen”.’

‘I’m so glad I took this course. The coaching, the videos, and Louise’s wisdom and encouragement helped me most. Learning that it’s about what works for you was extremely helpful because I am neurodivergent. No new author should write their draft without The Novelry.’

‘I’ve adored these lessons at The Novelry. They’re so propulsive but also ridiculously clear. The teaching is practical, example-rich, structured, and industry-facing. I’m not just writing with feeling now, but with intention.’

‘I decided to enrol on a course with The Novelry to finally invest in myself. My writing improved immensely and my coaching sessions were worth their weight in gold. My writing would not be what it is today without The Novelry.’

‘As a result of joining The Novelry, I’ve been able to prioritize the education I needed, at the pace I needed. I feel grateful for the supportive community and am taking my dreams and desires seriously for the first time in my life.’

‘A wonderful experience. I loved joining the community, improving my story fundamentals, and coming out the other side more motivated and sure of the direction I want to take my story in. I can’t wait to take the other classes.’

‘I’ve taken many writing courses and The Novelry is like nothing I’ve ever had. This course pushed me to learn things I’ve been so eager to know about. It helps me imagine my stories and pushes me to keep going.’

‘I feel inspired and ready to get to work! If you want to write a book but are afraid you aren’t good enough: 1) You’re wrong. Your story is worth telling. 2) The Novelry will help you overcome those doubts and get you writing.’

‘The coaches and community took me by the hand, never letting go through scrambles and set-backs. The coaching calls were valuable, but I also enjoyed how the daily lessons hit at the right time. The Novelry turned me into a disciplined writer.’

‘The course has given me motivation and a deeper understanding of stories. I found the workshops incredibly informative and gained a lot of knowledge from the coaches. The Novelry is a beautiful space of artists who come together and learn from one another.’

‘I wanted to enjoy the process of writing and this is exactly what the course has given. It was a spiritual journey with many ideas linking to my own beliefs about how the creative brain works. My imagination is on fire.’

‘The class has taught me that writing should come from the heart. I like that it’s distilled down to the fundamental elements of storytelling and I found the length of each lesson helpful. Thank you for this experience! Looking forward to the next class!’

‘The class did a terrific job of unsticking my writing progress. After nearly giving up the dream, I feel like I can absolutely be a novelist. I have hope for my writing career in a way I haven’t had since my undergraduate days.’

‘I’ve done other courses and found them adequate. But I never came out with a finished draft. After taking the course with The Novelry, I have! I never thought I’d get here. Thank you for the warmth, wit and wisdom.’

‘Taking the course gave me a first draft! My life will never be the same! I couldn’t have done it without The Novelry and this is undeniable because I’ve tried before twice. I can’t express enough how grateful I am.’

‘The Novelry has given me the confidence to know that the first draft is not meant to be perfect. An exceptional group of guides, mentors, advisors, teachers and family all at once. I genuinely would not have written this novel without this program.’

‘At the suggestion of a writing colleague, I signed up at The Novelry. It gave me clarity and there were so many “aha” moments as I learnt tips, tricks and tools (not rules!). I loved every moment.’

‘I’ve come out of The Novelry more motivated than ever to write my novel. The best feature of the course was the exercises. I truly enjoyed my morning routine and I feel like I have a place to turn to for support.’

‘I’ve wanted to write a novel for decades, and this course has given me all the tools I need to move ahead. I’m feeling positive, creative, and motivated. I still have times of doubt, but I know I can do this!’

‘I have gained so much information and confidence. The class has gifted me with an invaluable understanding about how to plot, structure and pace my novel. Thanks to The Novelry, I am confident that my novel will be a cracking success!’

‘This class gave me inspiration and reassurance that my story matters. I always felt I had something to say to the world, but I never knew how to translate it onto the page. The Novelry gave me the tools I needed.’

‘The Novelry gave me the structure, theory and inspiration to keep going. It’s the best investment in yourself you can make as an aspiring writer. Writing a novel can feel long and lonely, but with The Novelry you have so many people around you.’

‘One of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve been shocked at times by how tailored to me the course has felt. Thank you, Louise. I’ve been blown away by you, your team, the community and this course. The Novelry is, simply, stunningly good.’

‘Before joining the course I was stuck at the midpoint of a novel I’ve been writing for the last two decades. After starting the course I not only got unstuck, I got fired up! Louise’s spirit is so consistently inspiring. Thank you. 🤗’

‘I had amazing coaching and was very impressed by the high quality of the materials and the exceptional support. The team clearly care deeply about this program. It’s a joy and an honor to be a part of such an engaging creative experience.’

‘When I wrote my first novel, I just started from the beginning and “winged” it, but I needed a map drawn by professionals. Each lesson has a sense of friendship and positivity. From the very first lesson I felt at home.’

‘I learned a great deal and, most importantly, I started to embrace enjoying writing instead of approaching it with dread and trepidation. I have a new appreciation and I am not alone. A heartfelt thank you for creating a way forward and building a community!’

‘I’ve taken several writing courses and they were not enough. With just four weeks in The Novelry I have an excellent story that I could write from start to finish. The course has given me confidence and a clear path forward.’

‘The lessons are clean, clear, thoughtfully structured and break down the process into something achievable and exciting. I came away with renewed confidence and joy in my writing. I was hesitant to sign up at first, but I can’t recommend it enough.’

‘Every single lesson is so full of inspiration and encouragement. It’s like a shot in the arm. This course is the best decision I have made for writing - I just wish I’d done it sooner!’

‘I took the first lesson and cried – happy tears! I felt so welcomed, so supported, and more confident than I had in a long time. I’ve met so many wonderful people and had the most wonderful time. This course far exceeded my expectations!’

‘I’ve been a writer for decades but The Novelry helped me enjoy the process. The lessons, writing coach, and Golden Hours were my lifeline. I made liberal use of workshops, blogs, and Catch Up TV and produced an 82,000-word first draft.’

‘I was concerned that if I did not join The Novelry my dream of finishing a story would never make it beyond the thinking stage. Finding The Novelry has given me the confidence to share my story!’

‘I felt welcome from the start. The course was accessible, relatable and had breadth as well as depth. The lesson a day discipline was brilliantly structured. I have momentum, which is priceless, and I am in safe hands with The Novelry.’

‘Thank you so much for helping me understand how to develop an idea into a full novel outline. Every lesson helped me progress the main characters, plot, setting, themes, treatment, and more. I’m looking forward to the next steps.’

‘What a joy it is to create within a community that nurtures writers of all levels! It’s reassuring to hear that others face similar issues to mine, and to learn practical tools for overcoming challenges. Finishing my first draft was so much easier with this course.’

‘I’m so excited to say that I finished my first draft! With The Novelry, my idea blossomed into this beautiful butterfly of work that I am so proud of. I’d recommend The Novelry to anybody who thinks they can’t accomplish anything as huge as writing a novel.’

‘I’ve learned so much. I have a much more detailed outline and I’m feeling very confident about my next steps. This course was just brilliant. It helped me gather my thoughts and put them in order – the part that scared me most about writing a novel!’

‘I wrote the first draft of my novel! I don’t think I would have been able to without Louise and her team. The coaches helped me keep moving forward when I would have given up. The Novelry is the place to be. What you learn is priceless.’

‘I was able to finish my first draft in just under 90 days. The classes were great and having other writers to write alongside helped me finish. I still find it hard to believe I actually did it, I finished an 80,000 word first draft.’

‘I was fighting perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and overthinking – but I finally finished a first draft! I would not have been able to finish without the lessons, community, coaches, and support at The Novelry. I finally conquered that mountain of self-doubt to take a story spark and run with it!’

‘The Novelry taught me to trust the process! The one-on-one access of the coaching sessions was worth its weight in gold. I’m so happy I stumbled upon The Novelry and have already recommended it to other writers. It means so much to me that a place like this exists.’

‘The lessons, coaching calls, and so much support changed everything. The course empowered me and reignited my love for reading and writing. Each lesson was magic. I finished my draft and would NEVER have done it without The Novelry. I’m very proud to be here. Thank you.’

‘After taking the course, I feel more confident. The Five Fs gave me the framework to build from and that really helped to hone my focus. I loved this experience! Endless resources and opportunities to connect in the writing community.’

‘The Novelry has given me everything I needed to call myself a writer and the courage to actually write a novel for the very first time. My coaching sessions were everything! This course gave me courage and helped reassure me that all writers have doubts.’

‘The course gave me an actual finished first draft. So much incredibly good material, along with the special events. And the voice of the piece. Louise is perfect – warm, encouraging, honest, no nonsense. A life-changing experience.’

‘The Novelry helped me reconnect with the emotional heart of writing while giving me real tools to shape a novel. I came away feeling inspired, supported, and genuinely changed as a writer.’

‘This course really helped me achieve consistency and confidence. The coaching sessions were helpful both to my development as a writer and the quality of my first draft. My coach was supportive, asked good questions, and put pressure on my story in a way that helped shape it into something better.’

‘Before the course, I’d written 150k words of a novel, but I wasn’t sure where to take it or whether I was onto a good story idea. Confidence, for me, is a huge barrier to putting my creative work out in the world, and the message that writing novels isn’t “magical” but formulaic really helps.’

‘I have always felt confident that my novel premise is one that I myself would find interesting to read, but The Big Idea helped me refine the story into a much better journey for my main character. I was missing key beats, like the midpoint change and the want vs. need dynamic. I also realized I had subconsciously drawn on my own wounds and experiences to build this story, and going through the lessons helped me recognize that and refine it to be more impactful. I now have a theme I can actually articulate, where I was struggling to before.’

‘I thought I’d try something new, and from taking the class, I got a plot! I got an outline! And I feel ready to write my novel. This class targeted the exact issues I needed to work on. I feel ready to complete this novel!’

‘Beyond just improving my manuscript, the course gave me a stronger sense of direction as a writer. I came away with a cohesive synopsis, a clear thematic framework, and a sustainable writing routine with achievable goals.’

‘The coaching staff and editors are knowledgeable and, more importantly, considerate professionals. The courses are fresh and have truly innovative ideas and techniques to make a novel sing. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me. Thank you, everyone, at The Novelry.’

‘I’m 64 and have wanted to write since high school. And now, I’m finally learning how to organize these thoughts and let them clarify their meaning in my life, and on the page. Stumbling onto The Novelry a few months ago is proving to be a huge and beautiful stumble. I knew I had ideas, but I have never studied literature or writing. I knew I needed major help with structure to begin to get a handle on my story. And The Novelry’s program, clearly so thoughtfully developed, has turned out to be exactly what I needed.’

‘The Novelry taught me the underlying framework of a novel. I loved learning about the inciting incident, rising stakes, the midpoint, the Five F’s, and the shift from what a protagonist wants to what they truly need. It was shocking to see how many books and films fit that structure so seamlessly.’

‘I think the analysis of how a story is composed and how to slot in the characters was really useful. A really helpful, strategic way to embark on my debut novel.’

‘It was nice to take a somewhat theoretical approach to novel writing. I really liked that these are tools, not rules! As the author, I control the story, and it’s something I hadn’t thought about. I didn’t expect that. Thank you for all the hard work that was put into pulling all of this together. It’s not easy!’

‘I now have a better understanding of structure in stories, exposure to a wide variety of good books that I haven’t read, and an understanding of genre, which is something that I have never really understood. This has been fantastic!’

‘An idea that was most likely mediocre suddenly turns into a work of art. It helped me establish a writing routine, and I got a glimpse into the writing world and how the professionals operate. I always had a burning passion to write, but I didn’t know how to do it. When I saw The Novelry, I just knew it was the place for me. And it has surpassed all of my expectations! It was the best investment I made for my writing career. Not only did I learn a lot about writing, but I had a great time doing it. Thank you!’

‘While taking these courses, I could feel my idea begin to develop and take shape. When I signed up, I felt inspired to write but had no idea where to start and had little faith in myself. This course changed my mindset and made me feel excited to start the next phase of writing.’

‘The course I took refined my command of narrative craft and continues to guide the development of my current novel. The experience has strengthened my confidence in structure, character, and storytelling as I continue to hone my craft.’

‘I knew I wouldn’t be the first person to write a novel, so I asked myself, “What if there is some structure out there where I can be shown how others have done this and done it well?” I received the structure I was looking for and found inspiration for the idea of my novel. I’m enjoying this new adventure. I don’t know why I hadn’t done it sooner.’

‘As an experienced novelist working in a new genre, I wanted a course that would help me hone in on specific challenges, and the Big Idea course was incredibly helpful. Thank you!’

‘I have had a very personal story inside me since I lost my mother when I was 7. And I have desperately wanted to talk about her. The Novelry has provided me the tools, confidence, and space to explore a story about my mother, to help keep her alive in my heart and hopefully inspire empathy in readers to the struggles she faced as a woman with severe mental illness.’

‘I highly recommend The Novelry. From the first lesson, I felt like I came home to a writing course that welcomed me, that had been waiting patiently in the shadows for me to finally find my way home.’

‘I didn't know what to expect but found the course to be a welcoming, encouraging, and thoughtful (also humorous!) adventure. I also loved the extra lessons from the other writers and coaches. Frankly, it was a lovely reintroduction to story.’

‘All of the obstacles I have been facing were all internal, primarily doubts about writing a publishable novel, and, even worse, a dread of exposure. The best result was the shift in mindset and being able to see a clear path from idea to publication, and also being able to regard myself as someone who can do the work.’