Abigail Fenton
@abifenton.bsky.social
Literary Agent at The Ampersand Agency
Freelance developmental editor and book coach
🌐 www.abigailfenton.co.uk
✍🏻 https://substack.com/@abigailfentoneditorial
Freelance developmental editor and book coach
🌐 www.abigailfenton.co.uk
✍🏻 https://substack.com/@abigailfentoneditorial
Pinned
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 abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
Send three chapters/50pp to abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
Multiple timelines can add layers of narrative complexity and depth to your novel – here's how to handle them without getting in a tangle abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
How to Make a Dual-Timeline Novel Work
Adding layers, not confusion
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Multiple timelines can add layers of narrative complexity and depth to your novel – here's how to handle them without getting in a tangle abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-mak...
New Substack post! If your plots twists aren't hitting hard enough yet, here are some tips on making sure they have emotional heft behind them: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/great-plot...
Great Plot, No Emotion
Why plot twists fall flat
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:53 AM
New Substack post! If your plots twists aren't hitting hard enough yet, here are some tips on making sure they have emotional heft behind them: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/great-plot...
Want to know the difference between the manuscripts of unpublished novelists and published ones (which might help you finish your novel)? This week's Substack breaks it all down: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
Here’s the Secret to Finishing Your Novel
Spoiler alert: there is no silver bullet
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
October 28, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Want to know the difference between the manuscripts of unpublished novelists and published ones (which might help you finish your novel)? This week's Substack breaks it all down: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/this-is-th...
Thinking about self-publishing? This week on Substack I dig into the things to consider before taking the leap: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/on-self-pu...
On Self-Publishing
When, Why and How to Do It
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Thinking about self-publishing? This week on Substack I dig into the things to consider before taking the leap: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/on-self-pu...
The million-dollar question: how do I get my book noticed? This week on Substack I wrote about getting attention for your book from agents, publishers and readers. abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-get...
October 14, 2025 at 1:26 PM
The million-dollar question: how do I get my book noticed? This week on Substack I wrote about getting attention for your book from agents, publishers and readers. abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-get...
Ready to start querying your novel? This week on Substack I run down everything you need to know to create the perfect submissions package: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-wri...
How to Write a Query Package
That will make agents sit up and take notice
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
September 23, 2025 at 11:29 AM
Ready to start querying your novel? This week on Substack I run down everything you need to know to create the perfect submissions package: abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/how-to-wri...
This week on Substack: how to balance action, dialogue and narrative summary for maximum impact! abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/narrative-...
Narrative Summary, Dialogue and Action
The building blocks of a book
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:34 PM
This week on Substack: how to balance action, dialogue and narrative summary for maximum impact! abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/narrative-...
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
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
September 9, 2025 at 12:08 PM
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...
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 abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
Send three chapters/50pp to abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
September 4, 2025 at 8:55 AM
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 abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
Send three chapters/50pp to abigail@theampersandagency.co.uk, along with a synopsis and a brief bio.
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...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/on-word-co...
Are You Done Yet?
On word count and knowing when your book is finished
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
August 27, 2025 at 2:50 PM
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...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/on-word-co...
Struggling to come up with an idea for a novel? This post will help! open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...
Finding an Idea for Your Novel that Actually Works
Finding the right idea – and the right way in
open.substack.com
August 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Struggling to come up with an idea for a novel? This post will help! open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...
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...
This is What’s Wrong With Your Novel
Or how to test your plot (plus a special discount on annual subscriptions!)
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM
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...
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...
This is Why Your Novel Feels Flat
How to choose the right POV and narrative perspective for your book
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
August 5, 2025 at 11:05 AM
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...
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...
I Would Stop Reading Your Book on Page One
But here’s how to make me read on
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
July 29, 2025 at 12:15 PM
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...
This week's Substack post: What editors mean when they say "raise the stakes!" – and how to raise them: open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...
Readers Don’t Care About Your Story – and Here’s Why
Plus, some news from me!
open.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
This week's Substack post: What editors mean when they say "raise the stakes!" – and how to raise them: open.substack.com/pub/abigailf...
Reposted by Abigail Fenton
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
Katie Blagden and Abigail Fenton appointed agents at The Ampersand Agency
ebx.sh
July 17, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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
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
July 17, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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...
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
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
July 15, 2025 at 2:26 PM
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...
Struggling with writer's block? These tips will help!
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/youre-not-...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/youre-not-...
You’re Not Writing a Novel
At least it might help to tell yourself that…
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
July 8, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Struggling with writer's block? These tips will help!
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/youre-not-...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/youre-not-...
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...
How to Write Characters, Not Puppets
Less string-pulling, more rounded characters
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
July 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
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...
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!
Here’s how the editorial process works
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
June 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
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...
My thoughts about plotting vs pantsing over on Substack (spoiler alert: both have their place!):
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/you-should...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/you-should...
You Shouldn’t Write Your Book Like That!
(Unless it is working for you)
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
June 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
My thoughts about plotting vs pantsing over on Substack (spoiler alert: both have their place!):
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/you-should...
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com/p/you-should...
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...
It’s Not Selling Out to Write to the Market
Why genre conventions can be freeing, not restrictive
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
June 10, 2025 at 12:56 PM
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...
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?
How to choose a setting that fits your book
abigailfentoneditorial.substack.com
June 3, 2025 at 11:50 AM
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-...
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...
You Probably Started Your Novel in the Wrong Place
How to find the true beginning of your story
open.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:18 PM
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...