Writing
My writing backgrounD
I started my long career as a writer and editor with Reuters, the news agency, but was then lured into the glossy world of book and magazine publishing. I have since spent over 30 happy years working with words for major publishing houses, both on the staff and as a freelance writer/editor.
Along the way, I have had seven non-fiction titles published – plus a romantic novel, written under a pseudonym. (NB You may come across another Emma Scattergood – based in Australia – who self publishes travel books. She isn’t me!)
When I swapped London life for the coast, I took a lecturing post in Writing, Editing & Publishing at Bournemouth University and discovered how much I enjoyed supporting emerging writers on their journey. I have continued to mentor writers – of all ages – to this day.
Prizes, publishing & education
After being awarded an MA Creative and Critical Writing (Distinction), I set my sights on establishing BU as a destination for creative writing education.
Over the next few years, I designed/launched its MA Creative Writing & Publishing, the Fresher Publishing press and then The Bournemouth Writing Prize, which soon became international in its reach and attracted top name writers, agents and commissioning editors to its judging panel.
I ran the Masters unit in Design, Editing and Publishing and supervised many MA students along the path to success with their novels and short story collections.
It’s this wide raft of experience, gathered in industry and education over more than 30 years, that I now bring to my facilitating and mentoring.
I am regularly invited to offer 1-1 sessions with emerging writers at The Bournemouth Writing Festival (many of whom I then continue to mentor personally) and I run workshops/offer support at The Writing Sanctuary, also run by The Bournemouth Writing Festival.
Mentoring
“Emma’s feedback on my, and other writers’ work, is always exceptionally insightful and incredibly useful - the kind of feedback that is possible to put into practice immediately. and it’s always delivered - whether written or verbal - with tact and positivity. So, although there might be lots of work to do, she always makes it feel doable”
As an editor and a university lecturer, I always enjoyed steering other writers to success so I now provide a mentoring service, in person and online, helping them to improve and build confidence in any aspect of their craft, from initial concept to approaching agents or considering independent publishing.
How I work
I take a flexible approach to mentoring, tailoring it according to the needs of the project and the writer. If you would like an initial, free, conversation with me about your writing project and how I might help you with it, please get in touch via the Message form at the bottom of this page.
This meeting (usually on Microsoft Teams) is an important step in the process, providing the opportunity to establish if we are a good fit.
Do also subscribe to my newsletter to be kept updated on relevant events. In April, for example, I usually provide one-to-one “surgeries” for writers during The Bournemouth Writing Festival, so you could always meet me face to face then if you wish. I also host The Writing Sanctuary in Bournemouth, which in 2027 is being offered in January and June.
NB: Please be aware that there is currently a Mentoring waiting list, with the next available slot unlikely to open up until January 2027. However, do feel free to get in touch for an initial chat now, if those timings might work for you.