Manuscript feedback services.
If you would like an honest critique of your work-to-date as well as detailed notes on how you can improve your craft, I possess the expertise to help you. Have a read of the below and then get in touch.
I love working with first-time authors.
Having taught Creative Writing in universities, colleges, schools and at workshops over way too many years to count, I can genuinely say – hand on heart – that this is my favourite career lane. More so than writing, more so than editing, I get most fulfilment from helping debut authors realise their dream.
If you need support, to ensure you finally write the novel you’ve always threatened yourself you would write one day, then feel free to get in touch with me. I’d love to hear from you.
"I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David’s who can connect to his students with such natural ease"
– Dr John Keenan, Senior Lecturer in Education, Newman University
Students of mine, over the years, have always appreciated my approach because I cut out any semblance of bullshit when it comes to determining what works and what doesn’t work in their writing.
I will be open, honest and frank with you, detailing areas you can improve on as well as highlighting your strengths. Of course, literature is subjective, so I don’t try to teach you my way of doing things. I will determine from your writing the type of author you wish to be and, together, we will help your writing style to shine as brightly as it possibly can.
I offer a range of coaching services and ask you to leave any fears or apprehensions at the door when you decide to work with me. We will both be open and honest with each other.
There are a few different ways first-time authors can work with me, all of which are listed below. You can decide to send me some of your work for me to offer constructive feedback and critique on if you so wish.
Or, if you feel you’d benefit from more hands-on support, I offer 1-on-1 Skype or FaceTime sessions. You can discuss your story idea, your characters, your plot…anything you want with me on these calls. If you have already started writing, you can send me your words and we can discuss these too. There will be no such thing as a stupid question in these coaching sessions.
The end goal of all of these services is simple: helping you achieve your dream of becoming a published author. Take a look at these options below and figure out which one you could benefit the most from right now.
| Service | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Feedback | £329 up to 10,000-words | |
| Full Manuscript Feedback | £829 up to 80,000-words and £4 per 1,000-words thereafter | |
| One hour 1-to-1 Skype or FaceTime Call | £199 | |
| Two one hour 1-to-1 Skype or FaceTime Calls | £299 | |
| Three months on-going coaching (includes a one-hour Skype or FaceTime call every week for three months while you write your debut novel as well as my on-going reading and evaluation of your work in progress) | £1,999 |
If you would like more detail on any of these services, or would like to ask which service would best suit you, feel free to contact me by clicking ‘Let’s Chat’ below.
Authors I have worked with include:
“I appreciate David's straightforward approach; he's very clear about why he's suggested changes and does it in a warm and encouraging way. I would certainly recommend him and hope he'll be working on my next book”
AJ Waines, international bestselling author
“David has professionally edited four of my books and I’ve been delighted with the results every time. He has a collaborative style that is both supportive and encouraging”
Rob Ashman, No. 1 Bestselling Author
“David’s corrections, observations and advice are immensely helpful, and ultimately greatly enhanced the finished novel. I would therefore highly recommend his services”
NM Brown, critically-acclaimed author
“David has a real talent as a storyteller. He is a great new voice in fiction..”
John A. Marley, Renowned author
“Told in short chapters from each character’s viewpoint, David B. Lyons’ debut thriller is neatly plotted and has a devastating twist in its tail”
Myles McWeeney, Literary critic - Irish Independent
“David is an inspiring teacher. His Creative Writing teaching is very much centred on the student”
Martin Garrod, Headteacher - King Edward VI school, Camphill
“It was great working with David. He's very thorough and professional and made the whole editing experience hugely pleasurable”
Sibel Hodge, Renowned author
“David was named winner of the Most Promising Author of the Year last year. His writing is amazing!”
Rubina Gomes, Book blogger and reviewer
“David has a unique narrative approach to his writing that ensures readers are gripped to the page. I swallow his books in one sitting”
Sharon Thompson, No.1 Bestselling author
"If you’re looking for a high quality editor you really don’t need to look any further."
John Nicholl, critically-acclaimed author
“He is a highly skilled and talented editor. I greatly appreciated his insightful and constructive feedback which both motivated and encouraged me”
CM Stephenson, critically-acclaimed author
“I consider myself very fortunate to have had David edit my debut novel. He was quick, efficient and reliable, and a pleasure to work with. I would recommend him. .”
CS Savage, critically-acclaimed author
“His feedback was very helpful - clearly explaining why he was suggesting the changes he had. I was very lucky to work with David and would happily do so again”
Rebecca Muddiman, critically-acclaimed author
“David is an entertaining and informative speaker and our students have been highly gratified to have an author working at the cutting edge of contemporary crime writing leading their workshop”
Tim Kelly, course director of Professional Creative Writing, Coventry University
“Less gifted editors - I know because I've met them - attempt to shape a manuscript in their likeness, rather than bringing focus and, where needed, direction to what is already on the page. David brings both”
Owen Mullen, No. 1 Bestselling Author
“David is a pleasure to work with. The straightforward and no nonsense approach he uses is something I greatly appreciate. I’m so proud of what we achieved together.”
AB Morgan, critically-acclaimed author
“Lyons wrote a high-octane page-turner that’ll leave you guessing right until the end”
Brian Carroll, Irish Mail on Sunday
“David is an inspiring teacher. His contemporary course content is delivered in an accessible, relevant and challenging format to his students. His classes are always interactive and he applies a most conscientious approach”
Niamh Ward, Head of Media, Rathmines College
“I have been a university lecturer for over fifteen years but rarely come across minds like David's nor teachers who can connect with their students with such natural ease.”
Dr. John Keenan, Senior Lecturer in Education, Newman University
“He doesn’t use any fluffy academic terms, he speaks to you as if you are a peer and he has a great ability to make you believe you really can achieve your dream of becoming an author”
David Newman, former student of David Lyons
"What a fantastic, intense, addictive, and incredibly clever read which definitely left me guessing until the very last page"
The Writing Garnet, Book Reviewer
“David teaches creative writing through personal experience. He delivered an excellent seminar and workshop on the unreliable narrator at Coventry University.”
Poppy Sall, former student of David Lyons
“He cuts through the gristle and gets to the heart of your manuscript, providing an incisive critique of everything from overarching plot structure to syntax”
M.R. Mackenzie, critically-acclaimed Author
“David is an author to watch out for. He really is an outstanding craftsman in the thriller genre. A passionate writer with a gift for the craft”
Andrew Barrett, No.1 Bestselling author