Hi, I am Emma-Claire Wilson. I am a writer, an editor and mentor.
I am signed with agent Kate Nash at the Kate Nash Literary Agency and my debut novel, This Child of Mine, was published with Avon, Harper Collins in July 2023.
I write… commercial women’s fiction for Avon Harper Collins (but I may also have a few suspense/psychological thrillers up my sleeve for the future). There is nothing more I love than digging into the depths of our human brains to try and make sense of the world. Most of my novels tackle an issue close to my heart, or a topic I desperately believe deserves to be discussed, but the one thing all my books all have in common is emotion.
I write to make sense of the world, I enjoy tackling tough subjects and issues that affect us on a daily basis and I endeavour to write deep and affecting characters that may bring a tear to your eye and steal a permanent place in the hearts of my readers.
When I am not writing fiction, I enjoy exercising my brain muscles with freelance copywriting, and regularly write for press as well as writing and editing articles for The Glass House Online Magazine.
I read… almost anything! I love reading and reviewing dark psych thrillers. I love a good RomCom and will devour a truly cheesy romance novel quicker than my favourite cheddar toastie… but honestly, it doesn’t matter what genre it is, if the story grips me and the characters are compelling, I will read it. Reading and reviewing for The Glass House Book Club means I explore every genre of fiction and non-fiction alike (and if you would like to send a proof for review inclusion, I am always happy to receive them!).
I work with… writers of all kinds. If you are looking for a mentor to help you through your first ever draft, or a structural editor to help you make sense of that draft before editing – I am your gal. To find out specifics in terms of the genres I prefer to work with, or how I might be able to help – contact me for a chat.
I also work with many aspiring bloggers, journalists and copywriters – helping them hone their skills, build their portfolio of work and understand the industry they are trying to achieve in.
My Own Story…
Despite my own journey to publication still being in its infancy, I have spent the last 20 years of my professional life working with words in so many different guises, and helping others find the words to tell their own stories.
I started my career very early, securing a role as an editorial assistant for an expat lifestyle magazine in Southern Spain at just 18 years old. Over the years I have simultaneous learned from the best, and passed my own skills and experience down the ladder to those working their way up, in the same way I did. I spent years moving through different areas of media and journalism learning my craft as both a writer, editor and broadcast journalist. I have worked in print journalism, radio and TV journalism and of course online publishing. Over the last two decades, I intently listened, soaked up every little bit of knowledge I could find, and eventually chose to setup my own physical magazine before embracing the online media world and launching The Glass House Online Magazine in 2015.
My own ‘novel writing’ dream was kept a shameful secret for far too long, one I never mentioned out-loud. I spent most of my childhood escaping into my own stories, hidden in notepads under my bed. Writing by moonlight and praying no one would discover my secret.
As a teenager, an amazing English teacher found my musings and told me ‘you need to work harder, you have some amazing ideas and you write well, but your grammar is shocking.’ As a teen, of course all I heard was ‘you are not good enough’ so I kept my secret locked away, believing I would never be quite good enough. I had wanted to be a ‘real author’ for longer than I could even remember, but I was simply terrified.
At college, I stepped up and told my peers that I wanted to start a college newspaper (thanks to all the 90’s American TV shows that made this a ‘normal’ thing) and it turned out I was pretty good at it. I enjoyed finding the stories, loved interviewing people, and writing their words, asking the right questions. Digging deep to find the truth really appealed to me, finding the hidden stories – that was my passion. Maybe I could be a writer after all, just in a different way. I hid behind journalism and other peoples words for a very long time. I didn’t regret shifting my focus. I learned my craft, worked hard to build my strength as a writer and then, one day, I had to face my fear.
After taking a career break for my two daughters to make their debut into the world, I drank a shameful amount of Rum, and sat bravely with my husband one evening in 2012 and told him I wanted to write a book, and worse, to appeal to a hideous cliche, one that I’d been thinking about since I was a teenager. Remarkably, he didn’t laugh at me, and over the next few years, I slowly started to write my first novel ‘Departures’. As with many first works, it will never be published in its current form. I know, as a structural editor, that it ought to be at least three books, but I had broken the seal and even my husband was surprised that it ‘read like a book!’ After far too many years hiding from my dream, I now had the confidence to tackle it properly. I went on to write my second novel ‘This Child of Mine’, which secured me my fabulous agent, Kate Nash.
I understand the fear that lives in the hearts of all writers.
I understand the imposter syndrome we all struggle with,
but I also deeply understand the desire people have to finally face that fear and realise their dreams. It’s why I love to help other writers.
Be it those who want to learn how to write for press, or learn how to engage newsletter readers, I have enjoyed helping such a range of people. I love to help people understand copywriting, corporate storytelling and using words to truly elevate their businesses. I still do a fair amount of copywriting (it’s important to keep those skills nice and fresh) – but most of all I love to help aspiring authors. Those who have a dream, a story to tell and a fear of taking the leap. I love the buzz I feel when I see a writer finally starting to believe, and then truly succeeding in achieving a dream.
The editor at my first magazine job made such a huge impact on me. She took a chance on a young, ambitious and terrified teen and helped me find my words and confidence. She took a chance, one she didn’t need to take, and helped me on the path towards achieving everything I never thought possible. I love nothing more than paying that forward.
Writing is a passion. It’s not something I chose to do, like breathing, it’s something I need to do to survive – but helping others find their passion and hone their skills brings me pure joy.