Cornerstones: An exciting start to 2024!
Are you writing, editing, or submitting your manuscript? There's something for everyone here, so read on for good news from Cornerstones HQ! ✨
Dear Authors,
We hope you’re well and that you’ve had a great start to the year! We’re writing today with an assortment of exciting news from Cornerstones HQ, where we have seen in 2024 with an exciting publication, some events, and some news from the team. Read on to find out more…
The next run of our Edit Your Novel course starts on March 11th, and to launch it we’re hosting a free, online Open Day. If you want to find out more about the course and pick up some editing tips, come and join us for this free event. Course directors Helen and Kathryn will be joined by our Editorial Director and head of the Scouting Programme, Monica Chakraverty, who will share some industry insights about how to perfect your submission package, drawing from her time as Publishing Director at HarperCollins.
The event will take place between 12:30 and 2pm on Monday 12 February. To find out more and get your free ticket, do click the button below. Can’t make it? The event will be recorded, you’re welcome to sign up, send questions ahead of time and watch the recording whenever suits you.
If you’re looking for an in-person event, Helen and bestselling psychological thriller author Alex Stone are doing a panel at Bournemouth Writing Festival. The event, being held on Friday 26 April, will cover all things writerly, editorial, and the joys (and woes) of being published. Come along to pick up tips on how to get published, Alex’s success with independent publishers, and editing tips that get you to the final submission hurdle!
Are you looking for a great new read to kickstart the month? Look no further – Cornerstones alum Leo Vardiashvili’s wonderful new book, Hard by a Great Forest (Bloomsbury), came out on January 30th. Leo has very kindly done a Behind the Book blog for us, sharing what his book is about and his tips for writers at the start of their journey. Some snippets for your perusal:
Hard by a Great Forest is about a young man called Saba. He returns to Tbilisi in Georgia for the first time in twenty years, since he fled the civil war as a child. He’s propelled through the story by a central mystery – he’s following the breadcrumb trail of strange clues left by his dad who went missing on his trip to Georgia.
The night Saba arrives, a flash flood sweeps through the city zoo and frees all the animals. So, in the background we have hippos, hyenas, foxes, bears and a tiger roaming the city with impunity.
Cornerstones operate at a professional level otherwise only available to published writers with experienced, talented editors.
Quite simply, they gave me real, practical advice on getting my draft to submission quality. On top of that, they went above and beyond, and even helped me tighten up my query letter and submission pack.
I wish I had got in touch with Cornerstones before I actually did – it’s the best investment I’ve ever made.
Lastly, we’re thrilled to announce that any authors from under-represented backgrounds can apply for the Greene Door Project, run by literary agency Greene & Heaton. For any authors waiting for news on our own ELEVATE programme, Greene Door is a fantastic place to look – they are committed to connecting with talented writers and increasing diversity of representation in publishing.
If you’re an unagented writer from an under-represented background, do have a look and apply here.
As always, we want to hear from you! Are you hitting a wall with writing, enjoying your editing experience, or looking for help with a submission package? You can always send through your first ten pages and synopsis for a free initial assessment from the team, we love hearing from our authors.
We hope you have a lovely weekend,
The Cornerstones Team