Creative Writing Workshops
CraftaBestseller
Creative Writing Workshops
About Us
At Craft a Bestseller - Creative Writing Workshops, we draw on our combined, unrivalled experience in the publishing industry to guide aspiring and established fiction writers toward creating novels that captivate readers and stand out in a competitive market. Our expert-led creative writing masterclass is designed for authors who dream of crafting a bestseller – whether you're developing your first idea or refining a work-in-progress. Through practical guidance, insider industry knowledge, and personalised feedback, we help you elevate your storytelling skills and turn your writing ambitions into reality.
Our Team
Your main tutor will be award-winning, Sunday Times bestselling writer Clare Mackintosh. Fellow tutors will be top literary agent Luigi Bonomi and his wife, author and literary agent Alison Bonomi, alongside one of the most experienced book experts in the business, Jo James.
Clare Mackintosh
A former police officer, Clare is one of Britain’s most successful crime authors, with nine books under her belt. Collectively, her novels have spent 65 weeks in the Sunday Times top ten Bestseller list, with more than three million copies sold across the world.
Clare has huge international experience in teaching creative writing to all those who want to follow in her footsteps and top the charts – not just in the area of crime, but across all genres, including romance, memoir and commercial fiction.
Luigi Bonomi
Luigi worked as a commissioning editor for many years, ending up as editorial director of Penguin Books before becoming a literary agent and setting up his own agency, LBA, in 2005. As an editor and agent, he works with some of the most successful commercial authors in the industry, including crime writers such as Peter James, top women’s fiction authors Josephine Cox, Fern Britton and Susan Lewis, and giants of historical fiction Simon Scarrow and David Gibbins. He has also helped celebrity authors Alan Titchmarsh, Professor Alice Roberts and Ben Miller achieve their dream of hitting the bestseller list with their novels. LBA’s authors regularly top the Sunday Times bestseller list, and his goal is to help you achieve the same success.
Alison Bonomi
Alison began her career in the editorial department of Harlequin Mills & Boon, where she edited some of the most successful authors in romance. She then worked behind the scenes in television for many years. In 2005, she set up LBA with her husband, Luigi, working editorially with many of the company’s top authors, and focusing on women’s fiction, romance, psychological suspense and crime.
In 2023, writing as Emma Orchard, she published her first two historical novels, and has since had a total of twelve novels published, regularly topping the Regency charts and being hailed as the new queen of historical romance.
Jo James
Jo James has been in the book trade for more than thirty years, and has been programming and running Britain’s top literary festivals since 2010. She’s worked with the biggest names in the business, from showbiz celebrities to acclaimed literary luminaries, and unusually in the festival world, works across multiple festivals every year.
Jo has put together numerous creative writing workshops as part of her festival programming, and leads a local author showcase at several festivals, highlighting exciting new talent. Jo will be the main point of contact for any queries about the course itself.
Our Venue
Hyll Hotel is a beautifully restored fourteenth-century manor nestled in the heart of the North Cotswolds, offering breathtaking views across rolling countryside and timeless English landscapes. Steeped in history, this characterful Cotswold estate has lived many lives – first as a cherished family home, then as a peaceful retreat, and always as a place where stories have quietly unfolded within its ancient stone walls.
Today, Hyll welcomes guests to experience its unique blend of heritage, comfort, and natural beauty. Whether you’re seeking a romantic Cotswolds escape, a luxury countryside break, or an inspiring setting for gatherings and celebrations, Hyll Hotel provides an unforgettable backdrop. Here, amidst the tranquillity of the hills and the warmth of centuries-old architecture, you’re invited to slow down, unwind, and begin writing your own story.