Do you write fiction? Would you benefit from a manuscript critique? There's a two-week submission window to apply for a 50% discount on one of our most popular editing services, Full Manuscript Review.
If you're a writer of fantasy, romantasy or historical romance then you could benefit from the good work we've been doing with The Literary Consultancy. Writers & Artists and The Literary Consultancy have committed to setting up a new Edit Academy Apprentice scheme. Together, we will offer alumni of our Edit Academy events the opportunity to receive further professional development in the form of mentoring, and after careful deliberation of a number of high quality applications, we are delighted to announce our two inaugural Apprentices.
Ben Valentine will offer a Manuscript Assessment courtesy of TLC, and will be mentored by Katy Whitehead. Ben is particularly keen to work on character-driven manuscripts with strong voices, and is drawn to stories with characters who make you cheer (or groan) with the decisions they make. He also enjoys plot-driven novels that keep readers guessing and the tension high. To find out how to apply for this service and to work with Ben, click here.
For Writers & Artists, Marika De Silva will be mentored by Rachel Hamilton, and will carry out our Full Manuscript Review service. Marika is also looking for fiction projects, particularly in the fantasy, romance, romantasy or historical romance genres. Full bios for both Marika and Rachel are included below.
How to apply for our Full Manuscript Review service, and to work with Marika:
Submit your full manuscript and a two-page synopsis in Word documents to [email protected]. Your email should use a subject line of 'EDIT ACADEMY APPRENTICE', include a brief summary of the project, and must be submitted no later than 23.59 (UK time) on Monday 15th June. Please ensure that you have read Marika's reading preferences before submitting. We will not accept manuscripts longer than 90,000 words.
All submissions that meet the above criteria will be put forward for inclusion in a randomised draw. The successful applicant will be contacted to arrange payment for the service, which will be a 50% reduction on the standard rate. A payment instalment plan can be arranged if necessary. If no payment towards the service has been made within five working days, another applicant will be selected at random.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to make any amendments to their manuscript and synopsis before a final submission deadline of Wednesday 1st July. The date by which Marika will return her report, plus arrangements for a 30-minute follow-up call, will then be communicated by email.
All unsuccessful applicants will be notified by email by the end of June.
Meet Marika (and Rachel!):
About: Marika De Silva is an aspiring developmental editor and alum of the TLC and W&A Edit Academy 2025 and 2026. She has worked within marketing teams of publishers from Elsevier to Bloomsbury, but was drawn to the idea of editing through years of beta reading manuscripts for indie authors. Marika hopes to use the practical skills she hones during the Apprenticeship to build on her current experience and establish herself as a freelance editor. Her interests lie in reading and editing fantasy and romance novels, and she hopes to combine her love of stories with constructive advice that honours each author’s unique voice.
In carrying out this service, Marika will be mentored by Rachel Hamilton.
About: Rachel Hamilton is a freelance editor with over ten years’ experience working with novelists, researchers and postgraduate writers to develop clear, compelling, submission-ready manuscripts.
A former literary agent and the author of six books for young people (published by Simon & Schuster, OUP, and Scholastic), she understands how storytelling craft intersects with market expectations. She helps fiction writers strengthen structure, find their voice, and avoid the inconsistencies that can quietly undermine a manuscript.
Rachel lectures in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University and Academic Writing at the University of Lincoln. She holds a first-class degree in English Literature and Language, an MA (Oxon) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, and is currently completing a PhD in Creative Writing. She enjoys working with academic authors to shape complex material into persuasive, coherent narratives without losing intellectual depth.
Having lived and travelled extensively in other cultures (mostly in the Middle East), worked in high-security prisons, and experienced life as part of a richly neurodiverse family, Rachel values distinctive perspectives and likes to work with a wide range of voices.
Her varied background and unusual position as an author-editor-agent-researcher-lecturer hybrid put Rachel in a unique position to support authors at every stage in their writing journey from early concept to polished work – whether creative, academic or somewhere in between.
Would you like to work with Rachel? To find out which of our editing services she's available for, click here.
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