Twitter: @aelizmaclennan
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Agent: Laura West at David Higham
Published books: REVISING BEFORE SUBMISSION
Genre: I write MG fantasy so that’s probably the best genre for me, but I’d also be interested in YA fantasy. YA contemporary probably not the best fit.
Bio: I’ve been writing since my 20s – I thought I wanted to write adult fiction initially but then found myself writing fantasy one day and never looked back. I studied philosophy at university and am very interested in alternative realities and alternative identities and how we can use both to think more clearly about ourselves. I’m a journalist and have been around the world with my newspaper, including Frankfurt and Washington DC as well as my home turf of London, where I am now. I’m now combining journalism with fantasy writing and am finding they both complement each other quite nicely. I love classical music, wish I went to the theatre more and have a horror of colour coordinated bookshelves.
Experience: I signed with an agent this year after finally writing another MG fantasy having written one years ago that was very much a practice first book. I’m revising my MG fantasy with my agent before we go on submission. I’m a writer and editor with the Financial Times so am used to editing copy at all stages!
Mentoring style: I can be quite detailed and give line edits – I’ll think about the wording you’re using and how it flows – I think this is because of my experience as a journalist! Also because of that, I can be on the tough love side of things so if that’s what you’re after I’d be a good fit But don’t worry, constructive criticism and praise are also within my repertoire!
Mentee style: Someone who is open to being edited and has a positive outlook on the process. Ideally another Diana Wynne Jones fan but this is by no means a must
What kind of novel would you like to work on? I write MG fantasy so that’s probably the best genre for me, but I’d also be interested in YA fantasy. Contemporary is probably not the best fit whether YA or MG. I’d also like to see interesting and complex villains, stuff set in historical periods (or versions of history – love steampunk for example), anything with a twist in the plot, magical realism, even horror! I can handle the dark stuff. Something like Doll Bones would be awesome. Dry humour I like, slapstick probably not so much.
Favourite novels: In MG/YA: The Lives of Christopher Chant, Howl’s Moving Castle, Fire and Hemlock (yes, I know these are all DWJ titles! :)) In adult fiction my tastes are broader – Portrait of a Lady and Tender is the Night are classics I always return to, while I’m always waiting for the next David Mitchell to be published.
Beyond books, to give more idea of my taste if that’s helpful, I love (just off the top of my head): Buffy, Breaking Bad, anything set in the 1930s and 1940s, The Sting, Kramer vs Kramer; in a lighter vein I’m always up for rewatching Ferris Bueller and have a thing for the Emperor’s New Groove.
Mentoring package offered: Full manuscript.
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