Writers Online Competition launch: 5,000 words to win 5K! Top novel-writing tips from Monica Chakraverty ahead of submitting

I’m the Editorial Director at Cornerstones Literary Consultancy, where I head up the Scouting Programme with director Helen Corner-Bryant. We champion debut authors towards publication by introducing our key writers to agents or publishers, so we need a keen eye for what has literary and commercial merit.

The key, for me, is to find a strong, distinctive voice that feels secure from the outset of the book. However literary the novel, I’m looking for a strong hook that will have me invested in a protagonist up to the very last page. I love a hero who creates conflicting emotions, someone with complex layers that are revealed as the story moves on.

To drill further into genres, which should feel clearly defined in any submission, thrillers need a particularly strong hook to stand out for me, with a memorable twist at the end. Psychological suspense novels continue to dominate bestseller lists. I need to feel that rush of adrenaline within the first few chapters, taking me on a journey that allows a reader to (safely) explore a dangerous world that exposes our innermost fears.

I’m interested in anything with the potential to surprise. Some books can feel a little formulaic but I’m looking for what hasn’t been said, or a character who allows us to see the world in a new light.

Women’s fiction is perennially popular and needs to carry me on a journey that feels intuitive and effortless. I love a good historical novel that evokes a strong sense of place, allowing me to dive into that rich era, view it from the inside, and time-travel into that immersive world.

When times are tough in the world outside, romance and fantasy become even more popular with readers so I’ll be looking out for these genres too, hoping there’ll be something to catch my eye by approaching the story with, perhaps, a surprising approach that keeps me guessing until the end.

For authors, I’d suggest taking time away from the book before submitting. A final read with fresh eyes can really help that final edit. This can help highlight strengths and weaknesses in the plotting and to check the narrative flow.

This also holds true for the synopsis, so focus on something tight, between 500 and 800 words, that follows the key beats of your story. In our book On Editing, by Helen Corner-Bryant and Kathryn Price, we use the three-act graph to chart those beats within the synopsis.

Finally, a strong elevator pitch is key to being scooped up by an agent and will convey exactly what the book’s unique element is, ideally making them desperate to find out more!

You can also read the Writers Online substack launch, including novel-writing advice from literary agent Piers Blofeld here.