WriteNow with Penguin Random House

​Penguin Random House have set up WriteNow to encourage writers from underrepresented writers, including disabled writers. When I heard about the opportunity in 2016 I wasn’t ready to apply, as I was still waiting to hear from Hodderscape, but when they repeated the event in 2017 I knew the time was right. 1,782 people applied and I was one of fifty invited to the workshop in London. Not only in London but at the Penguin Random House on the Strand - basically the home of books!

​I was incredibly excited to attend (and equally nervous) but I focused on what an amazing opportunity it was. Mum accompanied me as my PA and wheelchair pusher and as we entered the vast, echoing marble corridors I felt humbled and full of awe. For the past six years I’ve worked on my writing and here I was, not just with a toe in the door (or should that be wheel), but the whole of me and part of my story was inside the building.

​It felt pretty overwhelming seeing all the other writers, but after a few deep breaths I entered the fray, striking up conversation while we waited to be shown into the conference room. I caught a glimpse of the London Eye out of one of the windows and was stunned for the second, but by no means final time. I was in the heart of London and just down the road from The Savoy, inspiration for the hotel in my novel. It was amazing and surreal.

We had sessions with the Penguin Random House team, editors and agents, who gave us an insight into the publishing process and what to expect. I loved that they were preparing us for the success that lies ahead and they took away a lot of the mystique and fear that surrounds the industry. There was a Q&A session with some underrepresented writers that Penguin Random House already publish: Afua Hirsch, Dave Rudden, Elif Shafak, Fox Fisher, Francesca Martinez and Mahsuda Snaith. 

Being a good little student I got copies of all their books to read before I went, so I had an idea of their styles of writing. To hear their individual paths to publication and their writing process was really helpful and encouraging. There was also a talk by Charlene, a previous WriteNow mentee, who was incredibly moving and inspirational. She made me realise that I am a real writer, that I was in that room because I have talent, not because I’m disabled. I have earned my place at the publishing table and I won’t give it up now. I felt really emotional by the end of her talk and had to do my best not to end up a blubbering mess.

​All attendees got a twenty minute sit down with an editor who had reviewed part of their novel. I met with Molly Crawford who was completely lovely and made me feel so relaxed and comfortable. She was incredibly supportive and encouraging, and best of all I could tell she genuinely loved my story and my writing. To hear someone as enthusiastic about as I am was brilliant and reassuring. She gave me some really helpful feedback too which I’m now incorporating into my story. We chatted for ages, pushing the twenty minutes to the limits and then kept going! I’d love her to be my editor, she’s awesome and insightful.

​The day was jam packed and energy intense but fortunately the Penguin Random House team were amazing, so supportive and understanding. They organised for me to have a private room to go and rest in, which I definitely needed. I missed out on some of the networking with the other writers but I got to see Floor 7, where the editors work! It was a glimpse behind the scenes and I got goosebumps seeing all the desks and computers, and the shelves of published books everywhere you looked. I vowed there and then that my books would be up there one day.