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Narrative Summary, Dialogue and Action

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · 23d

This week on Substack: how to balance action, dialogue and narrative summary for maximum impact! abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/narrative-...

The building blocks of a book

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Sep 9

My latest Substack: how to plan your novel's structure, whether you're a plotter or a pantster (wall of Post-its optional): abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-str...

How to Plan a Novel

Even if You're a Pantser

On word count and knowing when your book is finished

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Sep 4

Hi! 👋🏻 I’m a literary agent at The Ampersand Agency actively building my list 📚 Here is my manuscript wishlist 👀 #mswl

Send three chapters/50pp to [email protected], along with a synopsis and a brief bio.

Literary Agent Abigail Fenton's manuscript wishlist

Genres I'm looking for: women's fiction, romance, crime and thriller, book-club reads, historical

I love crime with a clear hook or unique twist, women's fiction with sparky dialogue and a strong protagonist, campus novels or those set in boarding schools, stories of forgotten women from history or retellings of myths, epic multigenerational novels, book-club reads which ask big juicy questions.

I don't represent: science-fiction and fantasy, children's, graphic novels, short stories, non-fiction

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Aug 27

This week's Substack is on word count – what to aim for, how to know you're done, and what to do if you're vastly over or under the ideal...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/on-word-co...

Are You Done Yet?

Finding an Idea for Your Novel that Actually Works

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Aug 19

Struggling to come up with an idea for a novel? This post will help! open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...

Finding the right idea – and the right way in

This is What’s Wrong With Your Novel

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Aug 12

Making sure your plot is as strong as possible is key to crafting an impactful and compelling novel. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you test your plot and ensure it's watertight: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/this-is-wh...

Or how to test your plot (plus a special discount on annual subscriptions!)

This is Why Your Novel Feels Flat

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Aug 5

Is your novel lacking impact? You might have the wrong POV. Here's how the choice of POV – who tells the story and how – can make or break your book: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/this-is-wh...

How to choose the right POV and narrative perspective for your book

I Would Stop Reading Your Book on Page One

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 29

Make sure your first sentence, paragraph and page are working as hard as possible for you – my post on hooking readers in immediately is up on Substack: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/i-would-st...

But here’s how to make me read on

Readers Don’t Care About Your Story – and Here’s Why

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 22

This week's Substack post: What editors mean when they say "raise the stakes!" – and how to raise them: open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...

Plus, some news from me!

Katie Blagden and Abigail Fenton appointed agents at The Ampersand Agency

Reposted by Abigail Fenton

The Bookseller @thebookseller.com · Jul 17

The Ampersand Agency has appointed Katie Blagden and Abigail Fenton as new literary agents to work alongside founder Peter Buckman, Jamie Cowen and Anne-Marie Doulton 👇 #BookSky

ebx.sh

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 17

Some news! I'm thrilled to be joining The Ampersand Agency from September – whilst I'll still be working on freelance editing projects, I'll also be slipping on my literary agent hat, and working to build a brilliant list of authors. Can't wait to get started! www.thebookseller.com/news/katie-b...

Katie Blagden and Abigail Fenton appointed agents at The Ampersand Agency

The Ampersand Agency has appointed Katie Blagden and Abigail Fenton as new literary agents to work alongside founder Peter Buckman, Jamie Cowen and Anne-Marie Doulton.

www.thebookseller.com

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 15

Sharpen your dialogue so it really pulls its weight – this week on Substack we're talking about writing dialogue: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/nobody-tal...

Nobody Talks Like That

How to write dialogue so readers will listen

You’re Not Writing a Novel

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 8

Struggling with writer's block? These tips will help!
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/youre-not-...

At least it might help to tell yourself that…

How to Write Characters, Not Puppets

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jul 1

Do your characters feel flat? Is your novel all plot and no spark? Find out my top tips on character development in my latest Substack post! abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-wri...

Less string-pulling, more rounded characters

Here’s how the editorial process works

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jun 24

Red pens at the ready, let's talk through the editing process! Whether you're hoping to get a publishing deal and want to know how it works, or you're looking to make your book as clean as possible yourself, this post will help: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/get-your-r...

Get Your Red Pen Out!

You Shouldn’t Write Your Book Like That!

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Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jun 17

My thoughts about plotting vs pantsing over on Substack (spoiler alert: both have their place!):
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/you-should...

(Unless it is working for you)

It’s Not Selling Out to Write to the Market

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jun 10

Why publishers are obsessed with categorising books and authors shouldn't fear being put in a box: my latest Substack post on genre is out now: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/its-not-se...

Why genre conventions can be freeing, not restrictive

How to choose a setting that fits your book

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Jun 3

Make sure your setting is working as hard as the rest of your book! Here's how to choose and develop the backdrop for your story: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/where-the-...

Where the Devil Are We?

You Probably Started Your Novel in the Wrong Place

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · May 27

There are millions of books fighting for readers' attention, so your novel's opening has to be PERFECT. Here's how to make sure yours hits the mark: open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...

How to find the true beginning of your story

How to keep your readers gripped

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · May 20

Want to know how to get that unputdownable quality? My latest Substack post breaks down the ingredients for a novel readers just can't. stop. reading!
open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...

Just One More Chapter!

How to Write Great Chemistry

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · May 13

Great chemistry between characters is a joy to read, but so difficult to write: just like real life, it's either there or it's not. Here are my best tips to help make your characters' interactions zing – whether you're writing romance or not. abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-wri...

For colleagues, friends, lovers, and everything in between

How to Make Readers Pick Up Your Book

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · May 6

New Substack post! How to hone your hook to make sure readers (inc. agents and publishers!) pick up your book! abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...

i.e. hook them in!

How to Stop Rearranging Deck Chairs and Fix the Structure of Your Book

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Apr 29

Got a finished novel draft? Here's how to get stuck into editing it, with tips from my ten+ years in publishing: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-sto...

Roll up your sleeves! It’s time to look at the overall structure of your novel and test the plot

How to Craft Compelling Characters

Abigail Fenton @abifenton.bsky.social · Apr 22

I'm sharing my best tips for creating fully 3D and fleshed-out characters over on Substack today:
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-cra...

Where we talk about making your characters come to life and jump off the page