The Literary Consultancy

What The Literary Consultancy does

The Literary Consultancy (TLC) is a UK-based editorial consultancy founded in 1996, operating as a private limited company from Kings Cross, London. The company provides professional manuscript assessment, developmental editing, mentoring, and copy-editing services to writers across fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and scripts, delivered through a small core staff coordinating a network of 90 vetted UK editors trained on TLC's proprietary Reading Principles and REVISE feedback-implementation framework. Revenue is generated across multiple streams: one-time manuscript assessment fees, multi-month mentoring programmes (Classic and Premium tiers spanning 12-18 months), subscription membership on the Being A Writer digital platform (£10/month standard, £8.50 concessionary, £82.50 annual), self-editing and editing-career courses (£149-£500), Power Hours consultancy sessions (£99), and TLC Press Mini Guides (£1-£3 digital downloads). The Arts Council England-funded Free Reads scheme, run through 22 regional literature partners, provides bursaried services to low-income and marginalised writers as a managed-services revenue layer.

Since 2019 TLC has expanded into digital community and education through the Being A Writer membership platform (launched May 2020), which hosts courses, podcasts, events, and creativity resources on a Circle-based community stack. Customer segments span aspiring writers, professional authors, LGBTQ+ writers (via the 10-year Michael Langan Free Reads partnership), low-income and underrepresented writers (via Arts Council funding), and aspiring editors (via Edit Academy training and the 2026 Edit Academy Apprenticeship with Writers & Artists). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via the literaryconsultancy.co.uk website, with global reach for online services and UK-centric in-person events at Bloomsbury Publishing offices and Free Word Centre. The company is independent and privately held, with no institutional investment disclosed.

Name

The Literary Consultancy

Legal name

The Literary Consultancy Ltd

Website

https://literaryconsultancy.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Literary Consultancy is a London-based editorial consultancy, founded 1996, providing manuscript assessment, developmental editing, and mentoring to writers worldwide via a network of 90 UK editors and the Being A Writer subscription platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Editorial Services

NAICS

Book Publishers (51313)

SIC

Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)

akta.pro primary industry

Manuscript Development Services (Coaching, Developmental Editing) (MPAJAJAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Editorial & Production Services (Copyediting, Proofreading, Formatting, Typesetting) (MPAJAJAG), Publishing & Submission Prep Workshops (Query Letters, Agents, Journals) (EDAMAMAI), Literature & Book Clubs / Guided Reading Groups (EDAMAJAG)

Keywords

• Editorial services
• Manuscript assessment
• Developmental editing
• Writing mentoring
• Creative writing courses

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Being A Writer Membership Subscriptions: Monthly and annual subscription to the Being A Writer platform offering courses, events, podcasts, community access, and member discounts. Recurring revenue model with Standard (£10/month + VAT) and Concessionary (£8.50/month + VAT) tiers.
2. Manuscript Assessment Services: One-time editorial assessment services where writers are matched with professional editors who provide detailed written feedback. Services include standard manuscript assessment, developmental editing, submission package reports, and quick turnaround options.
3. Chapter and Verse Mentoring: One-to-one mentoring programmes (Classic and Premium) offering ongoing feedback over 12-18 months with a creative writing specialist. Classic includes six email tutorial sessions; Premium includes seven in-person/Zoom sessions plus industry day.
4. Courses and Events: Revenue from self-editing courses (Self Editing Fiction, Self Editing Non-Fiction), Edit Academy workshops, webinars, and industry events. Pricing ranges from £50 workshops to £500 courses.
5. Power Hours and One-to-One Consultancy: Individual consultancy sessions including Lightbulb Coaching (free for members every three months) and paid Power Hours at £99 standard rate.
6. TLC Press Mini Guides: Digital guides on craft and creativity topics (Plot, Character, Dialogue, Voice, Structure, Self-editing) sold at £1-3 per guide. Free resources available for Being A Writer members.
7. Free Reads Bursary Scheme: Arts Council England-funded bursaried manuscript assessment and mentoring for low-income and underrepresented writers. Revenue is indirect through grant funding rather than direct client payments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Literary Consultancy provides professional editorial and writer development services, anchored by its manuscript assessment service in which writers are matched with expert editors from a curated network of 90 UK editors who deliver detailed written feedback on fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and scripts. Its portfolio also spans developmental editing, one-to-one mentoring programmes, copy-editing and proofreading, submission package reports, and the Being A Writer digital membership subscription offering courses, podcasts, events, and community resources. Access programmes such as the Arts Council England-funded Free Reads scheme and the Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads scheme extend the core offering to low-income and underrepresented writers.

Product overview

The Literary Consultancy offers a comprehensive editorial and writer development service portfolio anchored by professional manuscript assessment and editing services. The core offerings include Manuscript Assessment, Developmental Editing, Chapter and Verse Mentoring (Classic and Premium), Submission Package Reports, Editor One-to-one sessions, and Copy-editing/Proofreading. Supporting these is the Being A Writer digital membership platform (launched May 2020) providing online courses, events, podcasts, creativity resources, and community access through Standard, Concessionary, and Annual tiers. TLC Press publishes craft Mini Guides on Plot, Character, Dialogue, Voice, Structure, and Self-editing. The organization operates access programs including the Free Reads Scheme (Arts Council England funded), LGBTQ+ Free Reads (in partnership with Michael Langan), Scholarships, Pen Factor Prize, and Amplify group coaching. All services are backed by a network of 90 UK editors and the organization's three-decade expertise in editorial consultancy.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Being A Writer: TLC's membership platform for writers offering digital content, online courses, events, podcasts, creativity resources, and community support to help writers build happier, healthier writing lives.

Products and services

• Manuscript Assessment Editorial assessment service pairing writers with professional editors who read in their field and deliver detailed written feedback on their literary project; accepts fiction, non-fiction, short stories, poetry, scripts, and screenplays. For individual writers at all stages.
• Developmental Editing Comprehensive editorial development feedback including a full manuscript assessment report and a digitally marked-up copy of the manuscript, providing structure-level and craft-level editing guidance. For writers seeking deeper developmental engagement with their work.
• Chapter and Verse Mentoring One-to-one guided writing development matching writers with creative writing specialist mentors (Classic) or industry mentors (Premium) over 12–18 months, including full manuscript assessment and an industry day with agent and publisher. For writers seeking sustained, long-term creative and career development support.
• Submission Package Report Editorial assessment service providing an industry specialist reader's perspective to evaluate if work is ready for submission to literary agents, including synopsis and covering letter review. For writers at the Pitch & Publish stage.
• Copy-editing and Proofreading Detailed line-level editing and proofreading to polish manuscripts for publication readiness. For writers seeking final-stage textual refinement prior to submission or self-publication.
• Editor One-to-one Personalised one-to-one editorial support sessions with professional editors, focused on targeted feedback on specific aspects of a writer's work. For writers needing specific, focused editorial input beyond full manuscript review.
• Being A Writer Membership Subscription membership providing digital content to help writers sustain creativity and cultivate resilience; includes online courses, events, podcasts, creativity resources, downloads, and community access, with Standard, Concessionary, and Annual tiers and member discounts on TLC services. For writers seeking ongoing craft and wellbeing support.
• Self Editing Fiction Course Six-week online course teaching the fundamentals of self-editing for fiction, using TLC's Editing Principles and covering voice, character, plot, and genre; includes 12 hours of live teaching, a 30-minute one-to-one, and digital resources. For fiction writers seeking structured craft development.
• Edit Academy Full-day event in partnership with Writers & Artists for aspiring editors, covering developmental editing, line editing, author relationships, and career building, with optional consultancy add-on. Held at Bloomsbury Publishing offices in London.
• Post Feedback Workshop Half-day workshop helping writers implement professional editorial feedback using the REVISE model, providing an actionable roadmap and timeline for manuscript revisions. For writers who have received a TLC editorial report and need structured next steps.
• Power Hours One-hour consultancy calls providing intensive, directional editorial or coaching support for writers; Being A Writer members receive 20% discount. For writers seeking focused expert input on a specific problem.
• TLC Press Mini Guides Digital guides on craft and creativity topics including Plot, Character, Dialogue, Voice, Structure, and Self-editing, sold in ePub, Mobi, and PDF formats at £1–3 each. For writers seeking short, focused craft resources.
• TLC Free Reads Scheme Bursaried manuscript assessment and mentoring for talented low-income and otherwise marginalised or under-represented writers, funded by Arts Council England and delivered with 21–22 regional literature partners including Arvon and National Centre for Writing. For low-income and underrepresented UK writers who could not otherwise afford professional editorial services.
• Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads Free manuscript assessment programme for unpublished UK-based LGBTQ+ writers, with priority for low-income, global majority, and disabled writers, delivered in partnership with Michael Langan and supporting organisations including The Coast is Queer Festival.
• TLC Amplify 12-week group coaching programme prioritising writer wellbeing and development. For emerging writers seeking cohort-based coaching and industry exposure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported 13,500+ writers since 1996
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Writers & ArtistscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Joint delivery of Edit Academy, a full-day intensive editing training event held at Bloomsbury Publishing. Partnership combines TLC's editorial expertise with Writers & Artists' audience reach to train aspiring editors. Also joint delivery of Edit Academy Apprenticeship programme.
• The Coast is Queer FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Brighton's annual LGBTQ+ writing festival partnering with TLC to provide Day Passes to Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads winners. Festival creates space for queer readers, writers, and allies.
• Royal Society of LiteratureminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020TLC participated as consulting partner on RSL's 'A Room of My Own' research into barriers to writing, informing the Being A Writer programme development.
• Kingston UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019TLC consulted on Kingston University's 'What Makes A Writer' academic research into barriers to writing, informing the Being A Writer programme's focus on writer wellbeing and resilience.
• Michael LangancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Novelist and writing tutor partnering with TLC to deliver the Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads scheme for ten consecutive years. Scheme offers free professional feedback to unpublished UK-based LGBTQ+ writers with priority for low-income, global majority, and disabled writers.
• 22 Regional Literature PartnerscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartnership network including Arvon, Spread the Word, London Writers Centre, National Centre for Writing, and New Writing North. These organisations refer writers to TLC Free Reads scheme and support delivery across the entire country.
• Damian Barr's Literary SalonminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious sponsor of Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads scheme, providing additional sponsored slots and career development support for winners.
• Out on the PageminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious sponsor of Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads scheme, providing additional support for LGBTQ+ writers.
• RunWriteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrevious sponsor of Michael Langan LGBTQ+ Free Reads scheme.
• Creative FutureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCreative coaching partner offering 10% off first five one-to-one coaching sessions for Being A Writer members. Founded by Dominique De-Light who co-founded Creative Future Writers Awards.
• Write & ShineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEarly morning writing workshop provider offering £5 discount for Being A Writer members on workshop sessions delivered via Zoom.
• ProlifikominorGTM or Marketing PartnerWriting productivity coaching platform offering 25% discount on the Prolifiko Bootcamp for Being A Writer members. Programme helps writers reach writing goals faster.
• Bloomsbury PublishingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for Edit Academy events at Bloomsbury Publishing offices in London, with lift access and quiet rooms available.
• Free Word CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentral London venue for TLC mentoring industry days, hosting events with literary agents and publishers.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Reedsy: Online marketplace connecting authors with vetted freelance editors, designers, and publishing service providers. Competes with TLC's manuscript assessment service via a scaled marketplace model rather than curated in-house editorial network.

Emerging players

• Sudowrite: AI-powered creative writing assistant offering brainstorming, drafting, and editorial feedback capabilities. Emerging direct competitor to TLC's manuscript assessment and developmental editing services, with rapidly improving AI quality.
• ProWritingAid: AI-assisted writing and editing software platform targeting professional and aspiring authors. Represents the emerging AI-driven competitive threat to TLC's developmental and copy-editing services, offering automated feedback at substantially lower price points.

Direct peers

• Curtis Brown Creative: Writing school operated by leading UK literary agency Curtis Brown, offering courses and editorial support. Comparable to TLC's training/course segment and benefits from agent-side referral flow similar to TLC's agent recommendations.
• Jericho Writers: UK-based editorial consultancy offering manuscript assessment, editing, and writing courses to aspiring authors — closely comparable business model and target customer base to TLC. Operates its own writing school and editorial services competing directly for the same writers.
• Faber Academy: Writing school affiliated with major UK publisher Faber & Faber, delivering creative writing courses and editorial services. Comparable to TLC's courses and Edit Academy programmes with the added publisher-backed brand advantage.
• The Novelry: Online writing school and editorial services company offering courses, mentoring, and manuscript feedback to novelists. Directly comparable to TLC's Self-Editing Fiction Course and Chapter and Verse Mentoring programmes.
• Cornerstones Literary Consultancy: Long-established UK editorial consultancy providing manuscript assessment, developmental editing, and copy-editing services to writers. Near-identical service offering and customer base to TLC's core manuscript assessment business.

Regional players

• Arvon: UK-based creative writing charity and one of TLC's 22 regional literature partners, offering residential writing courses and grants. Adjacent service provider with overlapping equity-focused mission but operates from a different funding model (charitable) and primary product (retreats/courses vs. editorial consultancy).

Others

• Penguin Random House Author Services: Major global publisher with an author services arm offering editorial, design, and marketing support. Competes at scale in the editorial services space but as part of a much wider publishing portfolio rather than as a specialist editorial consultancy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TLCUK
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCmBKLEy-ITpmC-8R4d6g_sQ/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-Literary-Consultancy/331088000235106
• Instagraminstagram.com/theliteraryconsultancy

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Literary Consultancy