At the prep stage?
Start here! 
Enough dreaming. It’s time to finally write that novel and bring a little book magic to young readers everywhere!
Maybe you’ve got an idea for a story and you’re ready to sit down and plan it all out in fine detail: outline, character sketches, research, chapter breakdown. Awesome! You can send me your notes when you’re done and I’ll run a Plot Check-Up for you before you get too far. That way you’ll know your story works before you’ve even started writing!
Not a planner? That’s cool. Just jump right in and start writing. I can take a look at your manuscript at any stage so if you want a midway check in on your first draft, give me a shout.
Or perhaps you’re not actually ready to put pen to paper or fingers to keys yet. You want to study the craft, learn the market, explore your genre and flex your skills a bit more before beginning your manuscript. Excellent plan! I’ve got loads of resources for you, including courses that will give you an introduction to middle grade and YA fiction, help you become an expert in your genre and figure out what your readers actually want from your book.
Read on for inspiration, tips, resources and advice for children’s and YA writers who are getting ready to make magic.
I’m Siobhán O’Brien Holmes, a freelance children’s book editor. Lovely to meet you! I work directly with children’s book authors who write middle grade or YA fiction in any genre, whatever your writing background or level of experience.
I help you make your story the best it can be. I don’t edit for spelling, punctuation, syntax or consistency; I focus on the big-picture details like character, plot and structure.
Worried your protagonist is too passive? Need help adding tension to your scenes? Can’t figure out how to resolve everything at the end? Let me help!
Blog posts for children's and YA authors at the prep stage
Services and courses for children's and YA authors at the prep stage
Customised coaching to suit your writing goals and routine
£400 per month
With custom one-on-one coaching you can get help with any aspect of your manuscript, even if you haven’t started writing it yet. Run your premise past me. Bounce plot ideas around. Brainstorm your protagonist’s character arc. Or if you want to work on your craft some more, we can run through exercises and writing practice to help with specific areas you’re struggling with.
We can set up weekly or monthly sessions or arrange a one-off chat.
Whatever you need, send me an email and I’ll do my best to make it happen.
Plot check-up: feedback before you start your draft
£100
Want some feedback on your story before you start writing? With a plot check-up you can run your plans past me to make sure you’re heading in the right direction. Send your outline, synopsis, pitch, chapter plan or back-of-a-napkin story ideas up to 5,000 words and I’ll send you back a short report on what I think is and isn’t working and what potential hurdles I see in your plan. Maybe there’s no clear character development in your outline or the premise sounds more suited to adult fiction rather than YA. Save yourself time and stress by getting a professional opinion before you start!
Intro to Middle Grade and YA Webinar and Workbook
£50+ (depending on local taxes)
Ready to finally understand the main differences between middle grade, YA and adult fiction and what agents and publishers are looking for in manuscripts for children and teens? A really handy, easy-to-digest primer whether you’re new to fiction or an experienced author switching to kidlit.
This includes a 48-minute recorded webinar (to download and watch in your own time) on the fundamentals of writing middle grade and YA fiction and a 22-page workbook including all the content from the webinar plus interactive quiz questions.