The History Quill
Prospect
Set your novel on the right course
Introducing Prospect
You’ve started writing your historical novel, and you have ambitions for what your book could become. You may be a long way from writing ‘The End’, but the decisions you make now could have a lasting impact on its eventual success.
There’s a great deal to consider: ensuring your story concept is as compelling as possible, strengthening your craft to do justice to your vision, establishing writing habits that help you rather than hold you back, and choosing a publishing direction that fits you and your story.
Prospect pairs you with a carefully matched, bestselling historical fiction author mentor who will help you navigate these important decisions. By making informed choices now, you can focus your efforts where they matter most, avoid costly mistakes, and give your novel the best possible chance of success.
By the end of the programme, you’ll feel confident in your direction and energised for the journey ahead. You’ll leave with a personalised strategic action plan that turns everything you’ve learned into a clear path forward.
How does Prospect work?
Prospect is a one-to-one mentoring programme that takes place over six weeks. It’s for work-in-progress historical fiction writers who are actively writing a manuscript, but who aren’t yet close to completion.
Through a structured series of weekly one-to-one mentoring sessions with a bestselling historical fiction author, the programme provides tailored guidance on the key creative and strategic priorities relevant to your novel and where you are in your writing journey.
The programme is selective – we work with a small number of writers per round, allowing us to offer focused, personalised support to each participant. It takes place entirely online.
By the end of the programme, you will have:
A clear plan for developing your story concept to its full potential.
An understanding of which areas of your craft to target for improvement, with guidance on how to strengthen them.
A more effective writing process, with strategies to help you make consistent, sustainable progress towards completing your manuscript.
An understanding of how traditional and independent publishing pathways align with your goals, so you can write with your eventual route to market in mind.
A personalised strategic action plan setting out the next steps towards achieving your ambitions for your novel.
Programme schedule
The programme runs for six weeks and consists of six 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 creative development. 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 at this stage of your journey.
Week 2: Story concept assessment
After reviewing your story concept, your mentor will evaluate your novel’s premise, structure, and market potential, identifying its strengths and the areas that could be refined for greater impact.
Week 3: Craft deep dive
Your mentor will review some pages from your work-in-progress 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: Process and productivity
We shift focus to how you write. You’ll explore your creative process together with your mentor, identifying what’s working, what isn’t, and practical strategies to write more productively and sustainably.
Week 5: Publication options
Your mentor will introduce you to the realities of traditional, independent, and hybrid publishing, exploring which pathway might suit your goals, so you can write with your eventual route to market in mind.
Week 6: Strategic clarity
In the final session, you’ll consolidate everything you’ve learned across the programme and develop a clear action plan for the months ahead. You’ll leave Prospect with clarity, confidence, and strong foundations for the rest of your writing journey.
The application process
We carefully review each application to ensure Prospect 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 the strength and potential of your concept, your writing quality, and commercial potential within the historical fiction market.
When applications are open, you will be invited to submit:
A story concept overview
Covering your central premise, main characters, setting, and where the story is heading, as far as you know it
A sample of your writing
Up to 5,000 words, allowing us to assess your fiction 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.
Julia Kelly
Julia Kelly is an international bestselling author whose works have been translated into 16 languages. Her bestselling emotional historical fiction novels include The Last Garden in England, The Light Over London, and The Queen of Roses. She is also the author of the beloved Evelyne Redfern historical mysteries, including A Traitor in Whitehall.
Julia brings a character-first, research-intensive approach to her novels that explore the extraordinary stories of women across history. She draws on her experience working for nearly a decade in the fast-paced breaking news world of New York City journalism as an Emmy-nominated television producer and award-winning digital editor before pivoting into content and marketing in the tech world.
Julia has called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home. She now lives in London.
Julia is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical women's fiction or historical mystery subgenres. She is traditionally published.
Anthony Riches
Anthony is an author of ancient world historical fiction – the 16-book Empire series, the Centurions trilogy and most recently the Swords of Troy trilogy – and the occasional thriller (Nemesis and Target Zero). His books have featured in the Sunday Times bestseller lists from the publication of his debut, Wounds of Honour, and have been translated into several languages.
Anthony was born in England into a three-generation military family, which is where his fascination with men at war originated, and he strives to bring the gritty reality of service and battle to his writing. His interests currently include target shooting and the presentation of YouTube series on ancient world history and the ancient world battlefield experience. He is a committee member of the Historical Writers’ Association and current chair of the Alderney Literary Festival.
Anthony is primarily looking for mentees writing in the historical action/adventure or thriller subgenres. He is traditionally 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.
Steven A. McKay
Steven A. McKay is an author of historical fiction and, more recently, heroic fantasy. The idea for his first, self-published, novel, Wolf’s Head, starring Robin Hood, came after he visited a house called “Sherwood” while out working his old day-job. Wolf’s Head went on to sell over 60,000 copies, allowing him to become a full-time writer.
As well as his Forest Lord series he has written nine novels in the bestselling Warrior Druid of Britain Chronicles, completed a trilogy about Alfred the Great, and a standalone novel about a Roman slave, Lucia. In 2026 he published two novels in the Sword Song Chronicles, his first foray into fantasy.
Steven also provided all the writing for the Xbox/Playstation game HOOD: Outlaws and Legends in 2021.
Steven is primarily looking for mentees writing in the action/adventure or historical fantasy subgenres. He has been traditionally published, but now publishes all his books independently.
Pricing
$2,995.00 USD
Frequently asked questions
Your Title Goes Here
Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Who is the programme for? Do I need to have finished my novel?
Prospect is designed for historical fiction writers who are actively working on a manuscript, but who are not yet close to completion.
Most participants will have a clear story concept and be some way into drafting, having already developed basic craft skills.
The programme is focused on early-stage strategic guidance, so it’s best suited to writers who are still writing rather than those with a complete or near-complete manuscript – if that’s you, our Launchpad programme, designed for the pre-publication stage, is likely a better fit.
What will I get from the programme?
By the end of the programme, you’ll have:
- A clear understanding of your novel’s concept, its strengths, and the priorities for developing it further.
- Practical strategies to write more productively and sustainably.
- Guidance on how traditional and independent publishing pathways might align with your goals, so you can write with your future route in mind.
You will receive written summaries after each session, and a personalised strategic action plan to guide you through to finishing your manuscript.
Are the sessions tailored to my goals?
Yes. While Prospect follows a structured framework, the programme is highly personalised. The focus of each discussion is tailored to your manuscript, your process, and your goals as a writer.
Can I choose which mentor I work with?
Yes. As part of the application process, you will be invited to indicate your preferred mentor. If for any reason we are unable to match you with your preferred mentor, you are under no obligation to proceed with enrolment. Alternatively, we can pick for you, choosing the most suitable mentor for your manuscript and goals.
Do I need to have decided on a publishing route already?
No, you don't need to have decided on a publishing route. Session 5 introduces you to how each publishing pathway (traditional, self-publishing, hybrid) works, helping you write with your eventual route in mind – but the decision itself can wait until you’re closer to publication, which is where our Launchpad programme can help.
How much of my work will my mentor review?
Mentors will review specific materials in advance of each session, such as your story concept overview and sample pages. They won’t read your full work-in-progress, as the programme is designed to provide high-impact strategic guidance rather than a full manuscript assessment.
If you’re interested in editorial advice once you have a full manuscript, we recommend you take a look at our content editing page.
What is the time commitment?
The programme runs over six weeks and includes six 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 my novel will be publishable?
No programme can guarantee this. Prospect is designed to help you strengthen your novel at an early stage, build sound writing habits, and understand your options for the future – giving you the strongest possible foundation as you continue writing towards publication.
Can I contact my mentor between sessions?
Yes. Your 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 six weeks, your mentor will provide a strategic action plan summarising what you’ve discussed and outlining your next steps.
Once you've completed your manuscript, or are nearing completion, our Launchpad programme can help you navigate the path to publication.
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 Prospect is confirmed and your payment becomes non-refundable. Because Prospect 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. We accept four payment currencies: USD, GBP, CAD and EUR. The currency you pay in will depend on your country of residence. People resident in the UK will pay in GBP, people resident in the EU will pay in EUR, people resident in Canada will pay in CAD, and people resident in the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa 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, Canada (excluding Saskatchewan), 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.