“The novel spins off on a multi-sided suburban orbit, an obscene, crazed and feveredly funny satire of the stunted televisual synapse. It is energetic and insane. Its heights of surreality are dazzling. There is a ‘tremendous television-shaped sadness’ all through it. It bangs itself off all four walls, so to speak, to be funny, and its hilarity is a kind of keening. It is a very scary ghost story indeed.”

Ali Smith, The Guardian

“[The author’s debut novel] was published in 1999 to gasps of astonishment. Critics described it as ‘exceptional’, ‘maverick’, ‘scorchingly poetic’, ‘my very favourite work of fiction this year’ and ‘like some delirious encounter between PG Wodehouse and William S Burroughs’.”

Katy Guest, The Independent

“This is an extraordinary debut.”

Christina Patterson, The Observer

“[The author] continues to demonstrate the originality that characterised his previous three novels. The idiom he employs is technically high-end. He does an awful lot with not very much. I tried hard not to like this book. But... it was never going to happen. I loved this book.”

Charles Hill, New Statesman

“[The author’s debut novel] is a total success: finely paced, wildly funny, deeply touching. I relished the lovely Joyce-meets-Estuary coinages. Subtler, and harder, is the inch-perfect comic timing that makes many scenes sound like some delirious encounter between PG Wodehouse and William S Burroughs.”

Boyd Tonkin, The Independent

“It’s extremely hard to analyse or describe the magic of this extraordinary work.”

Christina Patterson, The Independent

“[The author] is an excellent writer. His language moves with great suppleness and easy eloquence.”

The Telegraph

“[The author]’s beautifully inflected, knowingly naïve novel is a superbly original work.”

Scotland on Sunday

“[The author’s second novel is a] comic masterpiece about a ghost giraffe with a filthy mouth, a book about innocence and experience, love, loss and bedroom furniture.”

Katy Guest, The Independent

“He’s a writer with a completely unique voice, and [the author’s third novel] is another polished gem of comedy and pathos.”

Laurence Phelan, The Independent

“My greatest fault was that I didn’t think I needed to be taught how to write.”

Richard Ruegg, Queensland, Australia

“[James] has been a brilliant mentor and has provided invaluable help and insight. He has given me advice in relation to all aspects of the book, from plotting and structure, to fine linguistic details. I’m not sure I could have finished it without him.”

Eve Harris, London, England – 2013 Man Booker longlisted

“This course has been life-changing. Having [James] to guide me throughout the novel-writing process was like having a secret weapon. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the wealth of knowledge and skills I developed under his tuition. I’m still pinching myself that I had five offers from agents and am now being published by a major print publishing house.”

Ingrid Alexandra, Sydney, Australia

“[James] helped me to develop a writing style with real impact. I’d spent three years on a crime fiction manuscript that was going nowhere – after six months working with [James] I had a deal with a UK print publisher.”

Anthony Wilson, Dundee, Scotland

“Thanks to [James], I soon found an international print publisher for my novel, It Happened On Scrabble Sunday. I doubt my manuscript would have found a publisher without his advice. An absolute joy to work with.”

Mahita Vas, Singapore

“[James]’s expertise on all aspects of novel writing and how to target today’s market were absolutely invaluable. I finished the novel in twelve months and Mostyn Thomas and the Big Rave will be published by UK print publisher Graffeg in Autumn 2018.”

Richard Williams, Lausanne, Switzerland

“I’ve learned more in the weeks we’ve been working together than I did during my entire MA at UEA.”

Lorna Thorpe, Cornwall, England

“I have learnt more from [James] on this course than from any structured course or creative writing programme, including my Masters. Thanks to [James], Invisible Ties now has an international publisher.”

Nadya A R, London, England

“[James] accompanied me all the way through the drafting process, helping me turn my drafts into a fully-fledged literary novel which was later seized by two major publishers.”

Guillermo Martinez Erades, Brussels, Belgium

“[James]’s thoughtful and thorough editing and mentoring of my novel The Lost Letter from Morocco, after it had been rejected numerous times over many agent submissions, was a key turning point on its journey to the 2-book deal I’ve just agreed with Avon UK. Signing up to work with [James] was one of the smartest decisions I ever made.”

Adrienne Chinn, London, England

“I worked with [James] for about 10 months while I wrote my first novel. His feedback was direct and honest and I really valued his criticism. I miss working with him as I hadn’t realised how much he was a part of keeping the momentum going for me.”

Jo Carrington, North Somerset, England

“These notes are helping more than anything from university, self-help books, small courses. All of them put together even. Makes me believe even more that I was lucky to have got the chance to do this mentorship with you.”

David Graham Ward, Gateshead, England

“[James]’s service was thorough, insightful and of tremendous value. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny. I would happily take the course again and my guess is that it would be just as beneficial second time around. I have recently submitted my finished novel to various London agents, and one has offered representation.”

Paul Ryan, County Wicklow, Ireland