Emma Haynes, Author at Blue Pencil Agency: Novel Editorial Services, Retreats, Workshops

Emma is responsible for BPA’s bespoke programme of literary events and retreats as well as managing the First Novel Award and submissions to literary agents. With a background in communications and special events she has an eye for detail and a desire to give writers the best possible experience in an imaginative programme of events. Her retreats at Asthall Manor, the childhood home of the Mitford sisters with guest tutors including Tessa Hadley and Claire Fuller have set a new benchmark in literary experiences. The First Novel Award now in its third year has proved remarkably successful for writers with five of the 2018 shortlist gaining agent representation. With an up to date knowledge of what literary agents are looking for, Emma offers a reading service and advises writers with a polished manuscript which agents to approach and how best to ensure your work gets read. She also contacts agents on behalf of writers where there is a potential match.

LONGLIST ANNOUNCEMENT Bluepencilagency First Novel Prize 2017

BPA First Novel AwardBy Emma Haynes July 31, 2017

20 novels are on the longlist. We are delighted with the calibre of entries received. They’ve come in from all over the British Isles as well as further afield from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, South Africa and Europe. A wide range of genres: literary, psychological suspense, historical, Y/A, crime, fantasy and…

From slush pile to published author. Fiona Mitchell’s debut novel out November 16

Writers NewsBy Emma Haynes July 30, 2017

Sara writes about working with Fiona. When a literary agent called to ask if I was happy to work with Fiona I was excited. Fiona had already earned a reputation on the competition circuit. She was clearly talented but the agent felt she needed a little help. Fiona wasn’t convinced by the idea of persisting…

Writer’s Retreat with Tessa Hadley and Marcel Theroux, November 12 – 17, 2017

Workshop, Writers RetreatBy Emma Haynes July 29, 2017

TWO MORE SPACES LEFT Amazing opportunity to unleash your creativity and get some top tips from two well known writers. Book your space now. Five night tutored retreat November 12 – 17 for novel writers at Asthall Manor, near Burford, Oxfordshire. Situated in the beautiful Windrush valley, Asthall is a Jacobean gabled manor house and the…

First line tips from our First Chapter Workshop at Winchester Writer’s Festival

FestivalBy Emma Haynes July 29, 2017

Sara and Emma talk through tips for hooking an agent through a compelling first line. At the Festival which took place in June we gave a first chapter workshop. With examples of great first lines, opening paragraphs and endings, more than 70 writers were shown how to engage their readers from the very start. Over…

Writer’s Workshop

FestivalBy Emma Haynes February 7, 2017

June 17, 2017 Winchester Writers’ Festival, University of Winchester. At 5 pm we’re running a free drop in session for festival attendees on the subject of that important first chapter. For information on the festival and to sign up go to www.writersfestival.co.uk , tel 01962 826367.

Tutored Retreat

WorkshopBy Emma Haynes February 7, 2017

June 5 – 9, 2017 Writers’ Retreat in Sheepwash, Devon. Sara Sarre – First Chapter Workshop Your first chapter is what will sell your novel time and time again: to your agent, your publisher, the marketing team and eventually to your reader. It needs to be good. The week will be dedicated to the opening…

Writing Competition

BPA First Novel AwardBy Emma Haynes February 7, 2017

– The Bluepencilagency Novel Award 2017 – A new award for rising literary talent with a £1000 cash prize and introduction to literary agent Eve White. Runner up wins a four night writing retreat with Retreats for You and an editorial report. Writers who are unrepresented and unpublished are eligible to enter and are asked…

Author Archives: Emma Haynes