Earlier this year Keirsten Clark left her sought after job at one of the UK’s largest literary agencies. Why? Because she wanted to offer more help and advice to aspiring writers. At 26 she started up her own company. She now offers an appraisal service for your work and advice on the publishing industry – and the great news is her advice is free.

Keirsten Clark always had a passion for reading and writing and knew she wanted to work in the literary world. While studying for a degree in Applied Psychology she began running her own website www.fictionette.co.uk which provided a forum for writers and kept her in touch with the writing world. When she finished her degree she applied for work experience at one of the largest literary agents in Europe.

'I applied to Curtis Brown for work experience, but there was no space in the book department, so I started off in the media department. This was a great experience. I learned a lot about the media side of things as Curtis Brown have a great books-to-film department. I have used that experience continuously since then as the idea of seeing their book as a film really appeals to a lot of writers and it’s important to be able to advise them on all aspects of their writing.

'Eventually I got that to-die-for job in the book department as assistant to the managing director – this was an excellent opportunity for me to learn from one of the best in the business.'

She enjoyed her job and helping writers become published was rewarding.

'It is always satisfying to know that you are doing the best you can for your authors and helping them in an industry that can be very daunting. The best feeling is finding that previously unpublished author and steering the whole publishing process and the author through to fruition.'

However, as aspiring writers know, agents have little time to dedicate to every submission.

'An agency receives hundreds of submissions every week and it is just not possible to write to everyone individually. It became so frustrating. Time is so limited that you are unable to give direction and feedback to those you chose not to take on. Often it isn’t as cut and dried as you aren’t very good and that’s that.'

Keirsten believes that writers need advice and often direction with their writing. 'As a writer one of the most important things is having an outsider's point of view - someone who is totally uninvolved with either yourself or your writing and can take a fresh approach to your writing to tell you where you are going wrong and encourage you to keep writing with constructive criticism.'

Earlier this year Keirsten decided to act on her frustration. She believed that constructive guidance was essential to authors and that she could provide a service which offered such guidance.

'I had been thinking about the consultancy for some time but finally got up the courage to leave my job and set it up around April of this year.

'Understandably, like all industries, profitability is essential and everything revolved around the economics of running a company. I wanted to set up my own consultancy based on a slightly different set of economic parameters – low in overheads and maintenance, but keeping a high standard of professionalism.

'By gathering around me a team of well-connected and qualified professionals whose freelance services I could call upon, I feel I achieve the best of both worlds. A cost-effective, tailor-made service for my clients and an opportunity for myself (as the first port of call) to interact with enthusiastic aspiring authors.'

Keirsten set up Writing Ltd and found that the response from the literary world was encouraging, 'There are so many agents and publishers who feel as I do about the limitations on their time and Writing Ltd has had many prospective new clients pointed in our direction.'

Her links with the publishing world have provided Keirsten with support and she admits that it has been and continues to be an advantage to have such an extensive resource of information and expertise to draw upon.

Writing Ltd has a range of editors, published authors and ghost writers reading the work submitted and while they charge for an appraisal Keirsten emphasises that she wants writers to come to her if they have any questions about the publishing world.

'I am here for free advice of any kind in the publishing process because as well as trying to build-up a business with fee paying services, my main aim is to fill a hole in the industry where writers can seek the advice and direction they need.'

Other than providing valuable, free advice what does Writing Ltd provide for aspiring authors? 'Our service offers an appraisal of their work, maybe highlighting the best aspects of plot and strengths of character, etc. We can and have to be entirely honest and do not believe in creating false hopes, but want to encourage writers if they are serious about their writing.

'Publication is very much about being in the right place at the right time. However, there are certain tricks of the trade which can increase your chances and draw more attention to your manuscript than the other 20 which arrive on an agent’s desk at the same time.' Writing Ltd has strong links with agents and if the readers do receive something which is exceptional they will pass it on to the most suitable agent. 'Obviously we have to be very selective about what we pass on and do at times take things on ourselves.'

So far Writing Ltd has grown through word of mouth. The company is still young, but despite this it won the Writing Solutions Award by JPC. 'The award was for the extent, range and versatility of services that we offer,' explained Keirsten.

And the future is looking bright for her clients. `At the moment we have two pieces of work with agents so fingers crossed!'

As an agent Keirsten saw the same mistakes being made by writers, and submissions to Writing Ltd echo some of those she received as an agent.

'One of the mistakes that a writer can make is to overwrite. Many authors working on their first manuscript feel a pressure to really try and change their own voice. They include long words, and overcomplicated explanations in their work. It is so important to keep your writing natural and emphasise your own distinctive voice.

'The other major thing about writing a first novel is that there is a tendency for it to become autobiographical, drawing on experiences and characters involved in the writer's life. It is tempting to imagine yourself as the hero and use your first pieces of work to live out your fantasies. There is no real problem with this, but it can at times be very transparent and you must be careful to avoid this as it can lead to several problems with characterisation and plot.'

Writing Ltd’s appraisal service is a fee-paying service and a breakdown of costs can be found on its website although a submission package appraisal costs only £60. They also have a ghost writing database and packages to advise on self-publishing. Services are tailored to meet individual requirements, making each appraisal personal for writers.

At 26 and with great career prospects leaving Curtis Brown was a big move for Keirsten, but with her new company she can finally offer more time and valuable advice to Writers.

If you have questions about publishing and want to ask someone who understands the workings of a literary agency and the publishing world then visit www.writing.co.uk or contact Keirsten on info@writing.co.uk Tel: 01799 544659 Writing Ltd, Neville House, Station Approach, Wendens Ambo, Nr Saffron Walden, Essex, CB11 4LB.