Fiona Kenshole, Transatlantic Agency

Fiona Kensole is a kind, positive person who will give you helpful feedback in a constructive way. She is an expert in kid lit.

It’s like having a critique done by your wise, funny, loving aunt (whom you’ve never met) but who still always sends you the perfect thoughtful gift on Christmas and your birthday.

I had a written critique of my first ten pages done by Fiona Kenshole. It was amazing! It’s like having a critique done by your wise, funny, loving aunt (whom you’ve never met) but who still always sends you the perfect thoughtful gift on Christmas and your birthday. But this aunt just so happens to be a professional literary agent who knows everything there is about publishing, writing, film and being kind, insightful and wonderfully genuine. Don’t we all wish we could have a Fiona in the family. Well, now you can! Or, at least you can pretend to

Honest and Encouraging Manuscript Feedback

Fiona Kenshole was so great to work with. I had a 30 minute phone call with her (30 page read- which was actually my entire MG nonfiction manuscript). She told me exactly what I needed to work on and she didnít sugar coat anything. But, she still left me feeling hopeful and optimistic about my book. She gave great advice and l now have a good idea of the steps I need to take to improve my manuscript. I loved working with her, and Iím so glad I chose her for my critique.

Fiona is an extremely competent and helpful literary agent!!! I came away from our meeting with exactly what I needed to continue refining my book. She made me feel comfortable and confident. Thank you again Fiona!

Thank you to the Manuscript Academy for having such stellar agents here to help us navigate these intimidating waters!

What a wonderful experience!  Yes, I was nervous—it was my first-ever Ten Minutes with an Expert. But Fiona Kenshole was so warm and delightful, she immediately put me at ease. She asked though-provoking questions that will definitely help shape my pitch and my novel. Thank you to the Manuscript Academy for having such stellar agents here to help us navigate these intimidating waters!

New Approach to Query Writing

She gave me SUCH good ideas and completely changed the way I think about writing a query. She also made me feel better about the “rules” and telling the heart of the story.

Fiona gave me really great insights into a children’s picture book I was stuck with. Her recommendations helped take the story to the next level. In fact, she helped me find those places where I could elevate it in a way even other reviewers hadn’t seen, and I’m really loving the result!

Having my work critiqued by Fiona was one of the best decisions I’ve made as a writer. She is kind, generous, and knowledgeable. Even more valuable is her ability to give specific guidance based on your strengths as an individual. After my consultation with her my children’s book author/illustrator goals are clearer. I have a definite direction and know precisely what to do next in regards to my current project. Fiona’s insights and infectious enthusiasm are just what I needed. If you have an opportunity to speak with her about your project, don’t hesitate.

Fiona put her wonderful, insightful, razor sharp eye to my manuscript and and challenged me to work towards the best version of my story. With kindness, with care, a smile and above all, a love for children’s literature. I feel braver and better and so will my book, thanks to Fiona’s guidance.

Fiona’s kindness, candor and heartfelt input was not only helpful in the practical sense of the actual application to my story, but more importantly, her genuine enthusiasm for this work makes everyone who speaks to her feel like they are her best friend. This creates an immensely supportive environment rather than a critical one. She is relaxed and personable but also immensely knowledgeable in this field, so each suggestion is well thought out, heartfelt and right on the money. I would pay for this again when it is offered.

Delivers Spot-On Manuscript Feedback

Fiona Kenshole has a wealth of experience to share. Her advice was spot on, and given in a positive manner. I highly recommend her for Manuscript Academy appointments and events.

Pinpoints Issues with Direct Feedback

I had a ten-page live critique with Fiona Kenshole that I found invaluable. She has such a direct, but friendly, way of getting to the heart of what isn’t working. I so appreciate her feedback and Manuscript Academy for offering us opportunities like this.

Encouraging and Insightful Critique

Fionaís critique was awesomeóvery kind and also very helpful. I especially appreciated her encouraging me to trust my instincts. She gave me specific examples of where I was telling instead of showing and becoming a narrator instead of letting my characters speak for themselves. I highly recommend Fiona!

Amazing feedback

I’ve been wanting to do an agent one-on-one for quite some time now, and I finally committed. It was so much more than I’d ever hoped for! The 15 minutes flew by, but in that time, Fiona Kenshole gave me some amazing feedback on my first two chapters, things I never even thought of. I’m energized to put her suggestions in motion, see how it flows, and then I’ll be ready to start querying!

Reinvigorated and Ready to Revise

Fiona was simultaneously enthusiastic, funny and as direct as an arrow as she honed in on what needed work. Small details or a sweeping change. She was extremely adept at seeing both. I came away reinvigorated to dive back into a story I had already queried. Okay! Back to work for me.

Gives Practical Middle Grade Advice

Talking to Fiona was as wonderful as Iíd hoped it would be. She is positive and practical. In a short period of time, she zeroed in on some points that made perfect sense and described what she looks for in middle grade stories in a sentence. You might not think that would be enough, but absolutely did.
(Wonít say what it was. Get a consult and find out!)
Best advice Iíve had in a long time.

My meeting with Fiona was very helpful. She nailed exactly what was missing from my first pages and query letter and articulated it in a way that sparked ideas and a course of action. I can see how I can integrate her advice as it was quite specific about what aspects of my first pages and query to put more, or less, emphasis on. I was very happy with the consultation and highly recommend Fiona.

Brings Next-Level Query Clarity

Fiona was so helpful bringing clarity to my query. I had many eyes on it prior to our consult, and have received some requests from the slush pile, but Fionaís advice was next level. I feel my money was well spent, not just for this query but for how I can use her advice to self-critique in the future. She was also super nice and easy to talk to. Highly recommend!

Fiona Kenshole is extremely hard to book, but thereís a very good reason for that! Her enthusiasm will make any bodies day bright, she knows exactly how to deliver a critique and what way to deliver it. Sheíll tell you all the things youíre doing wrong, as well as all the things youíre doing right! Sheíll take you through the steps of discovering your main plot, ask you vital questions, and youíll walk away with a new understanding of what you need to do.

Fiona has given me such fresh and seasoned advice! Her encouragement and input has helped me greatly; to view my work, my job in story telling , with a deeper understanding and connection . From beginnings, to the arc of the story-the where why when all the way through to an exciting and delightfully natural ending , keeping the reader in mind ,and wanting more. Her knowledge of not only writing but illustration , is so valuable to me as an author/illustrator. I am thrilled to have this opportunity !
As long as she is available through Manuscript Academy, I plan on booking time with her, because of her wise council. She is also a kind, funny and authentic person, which always helps! -Ellen Carroll

Like Gaining a Wise, Insightful Aunt

I had a written critique of my first ten pages done by Fiona Kenshole. It was amazing! Itís like having a critique done by your wise, funny, loving aunt (whom youíve never met) but who still always sends you the perfect thoughtful gift on Christmas and your birthday. But this aunt just so happens to be a professional literary agent who knows everything there is about publishing, writing, film and being kind, insightful and wonderfully genuine. Donít we all wish we could have a Fiona in the family. Well, now you can! Or, at least you can pretend to

Motivating and Informative Workshop

I took part in Fiona Kenshole’s Picture Book workshop and had the most wonderful experience. Fiona is clearly a seasoned pro in the writing world. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable, but she was able to convey the information in a way that was fun and inspirational. I walked away from the experience, more motivated and better prepared to write, revise and pursue publishing.

Whether you are a new or seasoned writer, trying to get published or write as a hobby, a workshop from The Manuscript Academy is a must. And I would highly recommend Fiona Kenshole if you have a chance to take one of her classes or book a consultation or critique.

Wonderful pointers and advice

It was a great pleasure chatting with Fiona. She was spot-on about my submission and gave me wonderful pointers and advice – plus she’s a dog lover so my pup, Zinnia, was invited into the Zoom and enjoyed meeting her as well!

I am a bit late to writing this, but I benefited greatly from my 10-page consultation with Fiona Kenshole. My work-in-progress is a feminist eco-fantasy retelling of a Sufi literary classic ó Fiona is so well-read that she was even familiar with the source text! She helped me visualize the intro in a whole new way that really improved the manuscript.

My meeting with Fiona was priceless. Her insight and advice was fantastic. She spent longer than the allotted time, and I truly felt like she cared. I still canít believe I was able to meet with her one on one. Sheís a legend. Wow! Thanks for this opportunity!

Industry Knowledge with Personal Insight

Fiona was delightful. She brought to my session wit and empathy along with a deep, intuitive knowledge of the industry. “Knowledge of the industry” is a term that’s thrown around a lot but here I mean that she not only has the pulse of what editors are looking for but what kids will understand and find joy in. She seemed quite intent on making sure we extracted every ounce of value from the session. My manuscript will better for having been looked at by Fiona but so will my larger writer’s journey.

Fiona is a gem.

Especially if you work with MG. I sent her my query letter and immediately put her comments into play because she’s very comprehensible and concise. She explained what and why additions or subtractions were needed, smiled no matter how many times I interrupted with a question, and answered from her POV as reader and marketer. WE might hate the marketing side, but the stronger our pitches, queries, etc., the stronger our writing. Oh, and (thank goodness) Fiona laughs a lot.

If you’ve not watched her class “How To Edit Without Losing Your Voice” you really ought to because she provides a strong sense of direction and you’ll most likely feel better about what you’ve probably spent a lifetime working on–then you’ll immediately pull out an old version of your manuscript to remind yourself why you started it in the first place!

Fiona really could not have been more helpful. In her very cheerful way, she pointed out the ways in which my opening chapter, as well as my query, could be improved. I’m very grateful for the suggestions she provided!

This consult was the best thing I’ve done this year to improve my writing skills. Thank you so much!!!

My consultation with Fiona Kenshole was awesome. I scheduled a 15 minute consult w/ the 10 page critique. and I certainly got my money’s worth. She gave me great insight into my story, into my own writing tics and provided me with tools for revising my book. She took her time to ensure I understood what I meant. She asked very specific questions about the story. It was clear she took a lot of time reading and digesting the pages. I learned so much from her. This consult was the best thing I’ve done this year to improve my writing skills. Thank you so much!!!

Fiona Kenshole is just as marvelous one-on-one as in her talks and interviews. In my 15-minute session I received a nice dose of validation, good ideas for revising my story to serve my publication goals, and advice on strengthening my query letter. As soon as my time was over, I started planning what manuscript to bring to her next!

Fiona was great! She gave me some excellent suggestions for my query. She was complimentary about the story idea and suggested a slightly different tack for my summary. It was such an enjoyable yet productive ten minutes. I was sorry I didn’t have more time with Fiona!

Spot-On Structural Story Advice

Fiona was spot-on with her comments about my MG book, “Lockbox.” She made a comment that it should be a screenplay and the funny thing is … it was a screenplay and then I made it into a book as well! She pointed out that I needed to keep the book more about the main protagonist which, of course, trigged a rewrite for the book.

I appreciate all of you giving us writers the opportunity to get us in front of agents and editors. It only makes us better writers.

Stacey

I would like to thank Jessica and Julie for everything that they are doing to help authors improve their craft. I had been stuck in the query trenches for a year and a half, and was completely lost on why I was getting rejected. Then I found the Manuscript Academy.

At first, I cried a little when I saw their prices. Then I decided to save up and book a consultation with Fiona Kenshole. And let me tell you this, the feedback that I got from a REAL Literary Agent truly opened my eyes to why I was getting rejected.

Sometimes, when you stare too long at your manuscript, you do not pick up on the flaws and areas that need improvement. This is where a fresh pair of eyes, especially those from a professional in the industry, can really come in handy.

I highly recommend you try it out. Think of it as an investment.

Sees Straight to the Heart

Fiona is brilliant, kind, and efficient. She has the gift of seeing right to the heart of a manuscript. She understands both craft and the market. I am excited to use her feedback to take my work to the next level.

Encouraging and Positive Feedback

My consultation with Fiona was wonderful. Her encouraging words and positive feedback inspired me to add a little more personal flavour to my story and I can’t thank her enough for that. I will definitely consult with her again. Those few minutes were an absolute joy.

I left the meeting feeling encouraged and hopeful

I would highly recommend both the experience of doing the query consult and doing so with Ms. Kenshole. Not only was she very easy to talk with but she gave me feedback that I could immediately put to use. I also had the opportunity to ask my burning questions. I left the meeting feeling encouraged and hopeful. Whether you’re just starting out or have hit a wall—the ten minute consult could be just the help you need.

Absolutely delightful

My consultation with Fiona was all I could have asked for. Her suggestions for tweaking my query were extremely helpful, tightening up the text. Her edits will help me avoid pitfalls I never anticipated. And despite the fact that I asked for brutal honesty, she was absolutely delightful. Thank you Fiona and thank you Manuscript Academy.

Ten minutes with Fiona was all I needed to get me enthusiastic about my writing again and excited to get started on my editing!

Ten minutes with Fiona was all I needed to get me enthusiastic about my writing again and excited to get started on my editing! Fiona was absolutely wonderful – she was supportive, insightful, encouraging, and critical in all the right ways. As a new author and someone lacking many connections within the industry, it was great to be able to get expert guidance and to receive really specific, tailored advice that will help me take my query – and my writing – to the next level.

Fiona is such a delightful person! She’s easy to talk to and her personality is effervescent. I felt comfortable and confident throughout our critique. I felt validated and excited to tackle revisions on my informational picture book.

Brings Clarity and Excitement

I’ve now had two consolations with Fiona Kenshole, and both have been fabulous. I left with clarity and newfound excitement for my project both times.

Finds the Heart of a Story

Fiona was just magical! I met with her to evaluate my MG fantasy query letter. Fiona helped my weed through the unnecessary details that were cluttering my query and instead guided me to find the real heart of my story and what makes it unique. Fiona was a pleasure to talk with and her feedback was contructive and honest.

Fiona is thoughtful and honest. She has helped me hone my query and my first ten pages. Sheís the greatest!

Shares Strategies for Storytelling Success

When I won the 30 minute critique and consult with an agent of my choice, I knew I would select Fiona Kenshole. I valued her place in the literary world, especially with picture books. Not only was I impressed with her constructive comments and ideas towards my work, I treasured her tips on ‘making my story funny’ and engaging for young children.
I am revising and refocusing with new plans and strategies to make my story even more enticing and humorous for the audience.
Thank you, Manuscript Academy, for the opportunity to have this poignant conversation with Fiona Kenshole. It was just what I expected…and more!

It was amazing! It’s like having a critique done by your wise, funny, loving aunt (whom you’ve never met) but who still always sends you the perfect thoughtful gift on Christmas and your birthday

I had a written critique of my first ten pages done by Fiona Kenshole. It was amazing! It’s like having a critique done by your wise, funny, loving aunt (whom you’ve never met) but who still always sends you the perfect thoughtful gift on Christmas and your birthday. But this aunt just so happens to be a professional literary agent who knows everything there is about publishing, writing, film and being kind, insightful and wonderfully genuine. Don’t we all wish we could have a Fiona in the family. Well, now you can! Or, at least you can pretend to

Guidance Through Experience and Knowledge

Fiona gives me exactly what I need: the pieces to fix, the bits to keep and the books to learn from. Her experience and knowledge are everything.

The ten minute consult could be just the help you need.

I would highly recommend both the experience of doing the query consult and doing so with Ms. Kenshole. Not only was she very easy to talk with but she gave me feedback that I could immediately put to use. I also had the opportunity to ask my burning questions. I left the meeting feeling encouraged and hopeful. Whether you’re just starting out or have hit a wall—the ten minute consult could be just the help you need.

Generous, Warm, and Insightful

Fiona Kenshole was generous with her time and comments, warm and easy to talk with, and most of all, she helped me see the key next step for my revision! I am encouraged and challenged, in a good way. I absolutely recommend talking with Fiona to learn how to make your MG more immersive and relatable to the target reader. She also gave me helpful feedback on my query.

I had a query letter and first 10 pages consultation with Fiona Kenshole. Oh my gosh! It was one of ‘the best’ mentoring sessions I’ve ever experienced. What I loved about Fiona was that after she pointed something out, she gave me solid examples of how to fix it. I absorb things so much better after seeing an example, and so, by her doing this, it really helped solidify what she was teaching me. Her years of experience shined through and she delivered the advice in such a kind and caring manner. Not to mention she had me giggling over a few funny anecdotes. I’m so thankful for her advice and I simply cannot wait to apply what she taught me to my pages. I would highly recommend a mentorship session with her.

She helped me see the key next step for my revision!

Fiona Kenshole was generous with her time and comments, warm and easy to talk with, and most of all, she helped me see the key next step for my revision!  I am encouraged and challenged, in a good way. I absolutely recommend talking with Fiona to learn how to make your MG more immersive and relatable to the target reader. She also gave me helpful feedback on my query.

In a matter of seconds, she identified core issues that otherwise may have taken me months to figure out.

Fiona’s brilliant and insightful comments shed so much light on the areas I needed to strengthen in my manuscript. In a matter of seconds, she identified core issues that otherwise may have taken me months to figure out.

Gives Concrete and Encouraging Feedback

Fiona was exceptional! She gave me concrete, thorough, and kind feedback, truly showing her interest in aiding my writing and my manuscript. Her enthusiasm was encouraging, and she even gave me a tidbit of advice that she typically gives her clients. What a gift to my craft! I highly recommend Fiona.

I met twice with Fiona Kenshole about my query. Twice because my first attempt was underwhelming and its make over flew over the top. Fiona reined me in to be pithy not patheticó Iím now sensing Iím closing in on it. She was concise, interested, and hilarious throughout both meetings so, if youíre looking for the experienced opinion of an honest agent, Fiona is the person I suggest you turn to.

Pushes for Breakthrough Novel Revision

Fiona was wonderful! She is so nice and personable. It was a very fruitful 10 minutes. She had both positive feedback as well as suggestions for making my novel and query letter (which we talked about; she didn’t see it) better – pushing me to really consider something I’d been resistant to doing. It resulted in a breakthrough for me, with a new idea of how to rework/reorder my novel in a way I think will result in a better work overall.
Also, it meant so much to have a literary agent “get” what I was trying to do with that first page. Having received a good number of form rejections without knowing the reason for those passes, to hear praise from a literary agent was so encouraging.

Highly Recommended Query Consultation

I would highly recommend both the experience of doing the query consult and doing so with Ms. Kenshole. Not only was she very easy to talk with but she gave me feedback that I could immediately put to use. I also had the opportunity to ask my burning questions. I left the meeting feeling encouraged and hopeful. Whether youíre just starting out or have hit a wallóthe ten minute consult could be just the help you need.

Unlocking Your Writing Potential

Like miracles and angels getting their wings, I am sure every time Fiona Kenshole speaks, another writer gets published. You can’t help but level up your writing every time you listen to Fiona; expect to learn 10-12 things that will give you immediate knowledge for how to execute a new awesome plan taking you into your greatness as a writer.

Delivers Encouraging, Poignant Feedback

I have worked with Fiona several times and will go back to her fountain of knowledge and inspiration as much as she will have me. She is kind, positive, honest, and has the unique ability to understand just what is needed to take a novel to the next level. She provides poignant feedback in a snap and explains what is working and what is not in a way that makes revisions feel effortless. Brilliant. Wise. Humble.

Fun and Insightful Guidance

Fiona is enthusiastic and fun to be with. She gave me great pointers for how to write and illustrate a picture book. We got to laugh together; I felt very comfortable chatting with her.

Fiona has given me such fresh and seasoned advice! Her encouragement and input has helped me greatly; to view my work, my job in story telling , with a deeper understanding and connection . From beginnings, to the arc of the story-the where why when all the way through to an exciting and delightfully natural ending , keeping the reader in mind ,and wanting more. Her knowledge of not only writing but illustration , is so valuable to me as an author/illustrator. I am thrilled to have this opportunity !
As long as she is available through Manuscript Academy, I plan on booking time with her, because of her wise council. She is also a kind, funny and authentic person, which always helps! -Ellen Carroll

I’ve been wanting to do an agent one-on-one for quite some time now, and I finally committed. It was so much more than I’d ever hoped for! The 15 minutes flew by, but in that time, Fiona Kenshole gave me some amazing feedback on my first two chapters, things I never even thought of. I’m energized to put her suggestions in motion, see how it flows, and then I’ll be ready to start querying!

Boosts Confidence and Query Strategy

Fiona has an impressive career and years of experience but she was instantly relatable. In a matter of ten minutes, she answered my questions, suggested concrete revisions to my query, and provided advice on the business side of finding an agent. Most of all, she made me feel like I can do this! I left our meeting feeling so encouraged and hopeful and capable.

Spot-On Feedback and Advice

It was a great pleasure chatting with Fiona. She was spot-on about my submission and gave me wonderful pointers and advice – plus she’s a dog lover so my pup, Zinnia, was invited into the Zoom and enjoyed meeting her as well!

My consultation with Fiona was all I could have asked for. Her suggestions for tweaking my query were extremely helpful, tightening up the text. Her edits will help me avoid pitfalls I never anticipated. And despite the fact that I asked for brutal honesty, she was absolutely delightful. Thank you Fiona and thank you Manuscript Academy.

Inspiring and Constructive Workshop

Fiona is a experienced editor and agent who manages to be inspiring and enthusiastic while also giving excellent constructive feedback. I got a lot out of her workshop! Due to her course’s welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, all of us who participated ended up even forming a critique group at the end.

Exactly what I needed

I booked a 15-minute consultation with Fiona, and it was exactly what I needed. She delivered a clear, straightforward, and direct critique with incredible warmth and encouragement. Our time flew by, but I felt like she packed in so much insight advice that it might as well have been an hour! I’m extremely grateful, and so glad that I took the plunge and booked a slot.

It was just what I expected…and more!

When I won the 30 minute critique and consult with an agent of my choice, I knew I would select Fiona Kenshole. I valued her place in the literary world, especially with picture books. Not only was I impressed with her constructive comments and ideas towards my work, I treasured her tips on ‘making my story funny’ and engaging for young children.

I am revising and refocusing with new plans and strategies to make my story even more enticing and humorous for the audience.

Thank you, Manuscript Academy, for the opportunity to have this poignant conversation with Fiona Kenshole. It was just what I expected…and more!

Gives Warm and Helpful Feedback

Fiona was warm, personable and helpful. She had useful things to say about my first page, while being gentle and very human. Just a pleasure to talk to in a very low-key way.

So impressed!

I’d heard Fiona on the Manuscript Academy several times over the last two years and always came away so impressed with her knowledge and her warmth, so I booked her for a 1st page review. I can say she is just as lovely on the phone as she seems on the podcast!  Her advice to change my first sentence, because it didn’t match the rest of the tempo (or mood) of the first paragraph, was very insightful. A small tweak that had never occurred to me, but absolutely made sense. I had some questions for her about whether or not my first paragraph was starting in the right place and before she answered she asked me several things about the manuscript, so that she could give a good answer. Ultimately, I came away confident that I am starting in the right place, and that is what I was looking for.

Shares Expert Guidance on Structure

Fiona Kenshole is truly the story whisperer. During our meeting, she meticulously went through my first 10 pages and provided in depth details of her critiques. Like Socrates did for Plato, she used the Socratic method to force me to think critically about my characters drawing out the essence of each characterís purpose. She is warm, kind, and pleasant to talk to. If youíre lucky, then youíll get to meet her beautiful 4-month-old Labrador Retriever or Rufus or Grace.

Asks Thought-Provoking Story Questions

What a wonderful experience! Yes, I was nervousóit was my first-ever Ten Minutes with an Expert. But Fiona Kenshole was so warm and delightful, she immediately put me at ease. She asked though-provoking questions that will definitely help shape my pitch and my novel. Thank you to the Manuscript Academy for having such stellar agents here to help us navigate these intimidating waters!