THE HISTORY QUILL LAUNCHPAD
Our expert-led mentoring programme designed to help you navigate the path to publication
Introducing Launchpad
You’ve finished your manuscript – or you’re close – and you’re ready to take the next step towards publication, but you want to do it with confidence, a clear strategy, and without wasting months or years on the wrong approach, or making avoidable mistakes that could hold you back.
This is a pivotal stage in a writer’s journey – and one where the right guidance can make the difference between a successful outcome and one that falls short.
The History Quill Launchpad is designed to help you navigate through this crucial stage, pairing you with a carefully matched, bestselling historical fiction author mentor who understands your goals, and complementing this with targeted insight from publishing industry professionals.
By the end of the programme, you’ll know exactly whether your novel is ready for publication, what needs to change if it isn’t, and the most effective path to bring it to market. You’ll leave with a personalised strategic action plan that will give you a clear roadmap for what to do next.
How does Launchpad work?
Launchpad is a one-to-one mentoring programme that takes place over eight weeks. It’s for historical fiction writers who are ready to take the next decisive step towards publication.
Through a structured series of one-to-one mentoring sessions with an established historical fiction author and carefully selected publishing industry professionals, the programme provides tailored guidance aligned with your goals and chosen publishing pathway.
The programme is selective – we work with just 12 writers per round, allowing us to offer focused, personalised support to each participant. It takes place entirely online.
Over eight weeks, you will work closely with:
Your core mentor: A bestselling historical fiction author carefully matched to you and your goals, who will guide you through the key creative priorities and strategic decisions relevant to your novel and your approach to publication. You will have six one-hour sessions with your core mentor.
Industry experts: Two of the eight sessions are delivered by industry professionals with specialist expertise relevant to your chosen publishing pathway, including literary agents, publishers, independent publishing specialists, and marketing experts.
By the end of the programme, you will:
Make a clear, confident decision on whether your novel is ready for submission or publication – and what specific changes will improve its chances.
Understand exactly how your novel fits within the historical fiction market and how to clarify and improve your positioning.
Have expert guidance on your chosen publishing pathway, informed by industry professionals working within it.
Have a strategic action plan focused on the precise steps to move you towards successful publication.
A programme tailored to your goals
Writers approach publication in different ways. Some want to pursue traditional publishing, others are interested in independent publishing, and some want to explore both options. Launchpad is designed to support all three approaches.
We tailor the combination of sessions around which pathway you’re interested in, which you will select when you apply. If you’d like to further customise your industry expert sessions, you’ll be able to do so.
Traditional pathway
For writers planning to pursue literary agents and traditional publishers.
Writers pursuing traditional publishing will work with a traditionally published author mentor and receive specialist sessions with a literary agent and a publisher. These sessions focus on preparing your novel for submission, understanding the agent landscape, and positioning your book within the commercial market.
Independent pathway
For writers considering professional self-publishing as their route to market.
Writers interested in independent publishing will work with a successful self‑published author mentor and receive expert sessions covering professional independent publishing practice and book marketing strategy.
Flexible pathway
For writers who want to explore both options – traditional and independent.
For writers who are still weighing their options, the programme can combine elements of both approaches. This pathway helps you understand how different publishing routes may influence your strategy, positioning, and long‑term career development.
Programme schedule
The programme runs for eight weeks and consists of eight one‑to‑one mentoring sessions delivered via Google Meet or a similar platform. Each session lasts 60 minutes and focuses on a specific stage of your development and publishing journey. You will receive written summaries and action points from your mentor after each session, helping you maintain clarity and momentum. Below is a week-by-week schedule.
Week 1: Strategic review
We begin by clarifying your goals, challenges, and publishing ambitions. Together with your mentor, you’ll define what success looks like for you as a writer.
Week 2: Publication readiness assessment
After reviewing your synopsis and first chapter, your mentor will evaluate the readiness of your novel for publication, identifying its strengths, risks, and the key changes that would maximise its potential.
Week 3: Craft deep dive
Your mentor will review an additional 5,000 words from your novel and focus in on the most important craft issues within your writing, such as structure, character development, voice, and historical integration. You’ll leave with a clear set of priorities for strengthening your craft.
Week 4: Market positioning
We shift from craft to strategy. You’ll explore where your novel sits in the historical fiction market, comparable titles, and how your book can be positioned for readers and industry professionals.
Week 5: Industry expert session 1
You’ll meet with a publishing industry expert whose perspective aligns with your goals. Depending on your direction, this may include a literary agent, publisher, independent publishing specialist, or marketing expert.
Week 6: Industry expert session 2
A second session with another industry specialist will provide further insight into the publishing pathway you’re considering, helping you better understand the realities of the publishing landscape.
Week 7: Expert integration
Together with your core mentor, you’ll review and interpret the advice from your expert sessions, turning it into a coherent strategy tailored to your novel and professional goals.
Week 8: Strategic action plan
In the final session, you’ll consolidate everything you’ve learned across the programme and develop a clear action plan for the next six months of your author journey. You’ll leave the programme with clarity, confidence, and a practical roadmap for embarking on publication.
The application process
We carefully review each application to ensure Launchpad is the right fit for both the writer and the programme.
We work with a small number of writers in each round, allowing us to offer focused, personalised support to those selected. Applications are assessed based on manuscript readiness, writing quality, and commercial potential within the historical fiction market.
When applications are open, you will be invited to submit:
A one-page synopsis
A clear overview of your story, from beginning to end
Your first chapter
Up to 5,000 words, allowing us to assess your writing
A short application form
Outlining your goals, ambitions, and where you are in your writing journey
Applications are currently closed. To register your interest and be notified when the next round opens, join the waiting list via the button below.
Meet the mentors
Vaseem Khan
Vaseem is the author of two award-winning crime series set in India, including the Malabar House novels set in 1950s Bombay, introducing India’s first female police detective. Midnight at Malabar House, the first in the series, won the Crime Writers’ Association Historical Dagger. Vaseem’s debut, The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra, was selected by the Sunday Times as one of the 40 best crime novels published 2015–2020, and is translated into 17 languages.
Vaseem has won numerous awards for his work, including, most recently, the Fingerprint Award for Historical Crime Novel of the Year for City of Destruction, the fifth in the Malabar House series.
Vaseem was born in England, but spent a decade working in India. In 2023, he became the first non-white Chair of the UK Crime Writers’ Association. Vaseem also writes the Q Mysteries, beginning with Quantum of Menace, the first in a murder mystery series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise.
Vaseem is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical mystery/thriller subgenre. He is traditionally published.
Gill Paul
Gill Paul’s novels have sold over a million copies, reached bestseller lists in the UK, US and Canada, and have been translated into 24 languages. Her ‘secret sauce’ is writing about extraordinary 20th-century women whom she thinks have been marginalized or misjudged by historians – women such as Wallis Simpson, Maria Callas, and Lady Evelyn Herbert.
Gill has also written non-fiction, including A History of Medicine in 50 Objects, and a Love Stories series, featuring real couples whose lives were forever changed by their involvement in wars – as well as the unfortunate couples who chose to honeymoon on the Titanic.
Gill lives in London and speaks at libraries and literary festivals on topics ranging from Tutankhamun to the Romanovs, as well as the craft of writing historical and biographical fiction. She loves helping writers find their narrative voices, deepen characterisation, and paint in enough detail to create authentic worlds without drowning readers in research.
Gill is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical women’s fiction and biographical fiction subgenres. She is traditionally published.
Anna Mazzola
Anna is an award-winning writer of historical, gothic, crime and thriller fiction. Her novels are set across different times and places, ranging from 17th-century Rome and 18th-century Paris to modern London and Japan. She is currently writing a dual-timeline novel.
Anna studied English at Pembroke College, Oxford, before becoming a human rights and criminal justice solicitor. She regularly teaches workshops on creative writing and has previously tutored for The Novelry and The Arvon Foundation.
Her novels have won a number of awards, including the CWA Gold Dagger (The Book of Secrets), an Edgar Allan Poe Award (The Unseeing) and a Fingerprint Award for Best Historical Crime (The House of Whispers). Her third novel, The Clockwork Girl, was a Times bestseller.
Anna is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical mystery/thriller and gothic subgenres. She is traditionally published.
Matthew Harffy
Matthew Harffy is a full-time author and co-host of Rock, Paper, Swords! The Historical Action and Adventure Podcast.
Matthew writes action-packed, historically accurate stories and has published fifteen novels to date. All of them, with the exception of Dark Frontier, which takes place in 1890s Oregon, are set during the early medieval period.
His longest-running series, The Bernicia Chronicles, follows the warrior Beobrand in seventh-century Britain. His A Time for Swords series, set at the dawn of the Viking Age, charts the journeys of monk-turned-warrior, Hunlaf.
His standalone novel, Wolf of Wessex, unfolds in the ninth century and was described by The Times as “a treat of a book.”
Matthew is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical action/adventure subgenre. He is traditionally published.
David Penny
David Penny is the author of the Thomas Berrington historical mysteries, set in Moorish Spain and the early Tudor period. He also writes the Izzy Wild police thrillers, and the Unit-13 WWII paranormal spy thrillers.
After being traditionally published in his twenties with four science fiction novels, he chose to publish independently on his return to writing in 2011.
David’s work is available in eBook, print and audio, as well as translations into Spanish and German.
David is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical mystery/thriller subgenre. He is independently published.
Peter Gibbons
Peter is an award-winning author and the recipient of the 2022 Kindle Storyteller Literary Award. Born in Warrington, UK, he studied Law at Liverpool John Moores University before building a career in financial services. He is now based in Kildare, Ireland.
Peter writes across historical fiction, fantasy, and science fiction, and is particularly inspired by authors such as Bernard Cornwell, Steven Pressfield, David Gemmell, and Brandon Sanderson. His work includes the Viking Blood and Blade Saga, the Saxon Warrior series, and the Chronicles of Arthur.
Peter is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical action/adventure and fantasy subgenres. He is independently published.
Emily Murdoch
Emily is a USA Today bestselling author who has published over sixty historical novels under two pen names, with publishers including Harlequin HarperCollins and Dragonblade. She launched a contemporary pen name in 2026 with Penguin RandomHouse.
Emily has a Masters in Medieval Studies from the Centre of Medieval Studies at the University of York, and was a York Award Scholar. By the time she graduated her MA, her first historical novel had been published under a pen name.
Her first non-fiction book, Regina: The Queens Who Could Have Been, was published by the History Press in October 2024, with her second non-fiction coming out in March 2027.
Emily is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical romance subgenre. She is both independently and traditionally published.
Clare Flynn
Clare Flynn is the author of twenty historical novels and a collection of short stories. A former International Marketing Director and strategic management consultant, she’s been a full-time writer for ten years. Her work has been translated into four languages. An avid traveller, many of her books are set in exotic locations, often in the dying days of the British Empire.
Clare is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, a member of The Society of Authors, The Alliance of Independent Authors, The Historical Writers Association, the Historical Novel Society, and served as a director of the Romantic Novelists’ Association for two years. She is the winner of the Romantic Novelists’ Association Indie Champion of the Year 2022, and the Bookbrunch Adult Fiction Prize 2020 for The Pearl of Penang.
Clare is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical women’s fiction and romantic historical fiction subgenres. She is both traditionally and independently published.
Meet the industry experts
Kerry-Ann Bentley
Kerry-Ann is a literary agent and founder of KAB Literary, representing award-winning authors across commercial and upmarket fiction. She began her career as an intern at Janklow & Nesbit Associates, joining full-time in 2020 and working across New York and London. She holds a first-class degree in English & United States Literature from the University of Essex and a Master’s with distinction in Caribbean Literature and its Diasporas from Goldsmiths, University of London.
Craig Lye
Craig Lye is a commissioning editor at Canelo, a division of Dorling Kindersley, specialising in historical, action/adventure and thriller fiction, with ten years’ experience. He has worked with authors including Ben Kane, Christian Cameron, Douglas Jackson, Angus Donald, SJA Turney and Michael Arnold, among others. Prior to working at Canelo, he worked at Weidenfeld & Nicolson, an imprint of The Orion Publishing Group. Craig lives in Birmingham, UK.
Ben Galley
Ben Galley is a British author, self-publishing expert, and the creator of Shelf Help, where he advises authors on bringing books to market and building sustainable independent publishing careers. Based in Vancouver, Canada, Ben now has more than 20 titles to his name, including the award-winning Emaneska Saga and Scarlet Star Trilogy. A prolific author with over 15 years of independent publishing experience, he knows first-hand what it takes to build a sustainable career from the ground up.
Anna Caig
Anna Caig is a marketing expert and communications consultant with over 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and media relations. She works with writers across traditional and independent publishing to build their brand and reach more readers, running courses and workshops with the Society of Authors, the Royal College of Arts, and the Literary Consultancy, alongside individual mentoring. Anna’s historical thriller, The Wise Witch of Orkney, was published by Bonnier in February 2026.
Pricing
$4,194.00 USD
Frequently asked questions
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Who is the programme for? Do I need to have finished my novel?
Launchpad is designed for historical fiction writers with a complete or near-complete manuscript who are preparing for the transition to publication.
Most participants will have already revised their work and developed their craft beyond beginner level. The programme is focused on strategic development, so it is not suitable for writers at an early drafting stage.
What will I get from the programme?
By the end of the programme, you’ll have:
- A clear understanding of your novel’s readiness for publication and the changes that will have the greatest impact.
- Insight into the publishing landscape and actionable feedback from industry professionals.
- A realistic strategy for the next stage of your author career.
You will receive written summaries after each session and a personalised strategic action plan covering the next six months of your author career.
Are the sessions tailored to my goals?
Yes. While Launchpad follows a structured framework, the programme is highly personalised.
The mix of expert sessions and the focus of each discussion are tailored to your manuscript and publishing ambitions.
Can I choose which mentors I work with?
Yes. As part of the application process, you will be invited to indicate your preferred mentors. If for any reason we are not able to match you with one of your preferred mentors, you are under no obligation to proceed with enrolment. Alternatively, we can pick for you, choosing the most suitable mentors for your manuscript, goals, and publishing preference.
What if I’m not sure which publishing route to choose?
That’s completely fine. Launchpad is designed to help you explore your options and make informed decisions, including through sessions with different types of publishing professionals where appropriate. If you’re unsure about your route, the best option is to select the flexible pathway option, and we’ll build your programme sessions around you.
How much of my work will my mentor review? Will they read the full manuscript?
Mentors will review specific materials in advance of each session, such as your synopsis, opening chapter, and selected extracts. They won’t read your full manuscript, as the programme is designed to provide high-impact strategic guidance rather than a full manuscript assessment.
If you’re interested in a full manuscript assessment, we recommend you take a look at our content editing page.
What is the time commitment?
The programme runs over eight weeks and includes eight one-hour mentoring sessions. You will also need to allow time for preparation between sessions, such as submitting materials in advance and reviewing feedback.
Does the programme guarantee agent representation and/or publication?
No programme can guarantee representation or publication. Launchpad is designed to help you strengthen your novel, understand the publishing landscape, and develop a clear path forward, improving your readiness for whichever publishing route you choose.
Can I contact my mentor between sessions?
Yes. Your core mentor will be available for email support between sessions for follow-up questions and clarification. This is typically up to 2–3 emails per week, allowing you to stay on track while keeping the focus on the mentoring sessions themselves.
What happens at the end of the programme?
At the end of the eight weeks, your core mentor will provide a strategic action plan summarising what you’ve discussed and outlining your next steps.
What happens if I change my mind?
If you change your mind within 14 days of booking, you can cancel your place and receive a full refund, unless part of the service has already been provided, in which case a reasonable amount will be deducted to reflect any sessions delivered.
After the 14-day period has passed, your place on Launchpad is confirmed and your payment becomes non-refundable. Because Launchpad is a small, mentor-led programme with limited places, we are unable to offer refunds or defer your place after this point.
When and how do I pay?
Payment is made in full before the programme begins, via credit or debit card. UK clients will pay in GBP, US clients will pay in USD, and EU clients will pay in EUR. All other clients will pay in USD.
Which countries do you accept participants from?
You can enrol if you are resident in the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, or any EU country. If you are not resident in one of these countries, unfortunately we won’t be able to serve you at this time.
What are the full terms and conditions?
You can view our full terms and conditions here.
More questions?
If you have any additional questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch by emailing us at enquiries@thehistoryquill.com.