"Consider taking an Arvon Foundation course (www.arvonfoundation.org)."

"Lots of writers get their first break by going on an Arvon Foundation residential writing course. Maggie O’Farrell got her first book published that way. While I was teaching a course I met a woman who had an idea for a book. As soon as she showed me the first chapter, I knew she could get a book deal, and I helped her a lot with it. They have four locations in the UK and you can get help with funding."