Em Norry

Editor

E.L Norry is a MG/YA writer represented by The Soho Agency. Her first book was published in 2019, a commission in the historical VOICES series (Scholastic). Em wrote about the Victorian era. Son of the Circus blended fact and fiction, a favourite thing of hers to do.

In 2020 she added non-fiction with a biography of Nelson Mandela (Puffin). She also had short stories in the collection Home Again: Stories about Coming Home from War. (Scholastic).

2021 is busy! Amber Undercover (OUP), a standalone upper MG contemporary action-adventure hit the shelves. She also has stories in three anthologies: Happy Here (Knights Of), The Place for Me: Stories from the Windrush (Scholastic) and A Very Merry Murder Club (Farshore). Non-fiction is a football biography of Lionel Messi (Scholastic).

Em has previously written for a younger age group, reluctant and dyslexic readers. A Good Friend (Hodder Education).

Recently, a two-book deal with Bloomsbury was announced. Book 1 in an MG fantasy series is out in 2023, in collaboration with Storymix and Jasmine Richards.

Find Em on Twitter here: @elnorry_writer

Em's specialties

Fiction

Children's

Young Adult

Short Stories & novellas

Contemporary

Plays and screen scripts

WHY WE LOVE EM

Em is such an experienced writer, and this shines through in her editorial reports. If you’re looking for expert knowledge of the MG and YA market to really hone your manuscript, you’ll get this and much more in a report from Em.

WHAT EM SAYS ABOUT EDITING

I worked as an editorial assistant in publishing for one year. I’ve judged Flash fiction and short story competitions. I’ve been an active member of an online critique group, offering almost one million words of critique over the past five years. I was a R7 mentor for the US scheme Author Mentor Match. I am passionate about helping aspiring writers and bring enthusiasm, brainstorming ideas, kindness and empathy to my editorial overview. I enjoy what I call ‘intuitive editing’ so am happy to make line-edit and copy edit suggestions, but that isn’t my focus.

I love giving feedback and helping authors realise their own vision by asking questions that probe deeply and hopefully have them examine their work in a new way. I have a particular interest in writers who might like to explore difficult issues and topics and a fondness for complex (even ‘unlikeable’!) characters, but in a realistic contemporary setting and love history too though! With a film and Screenwriting background, my areas of strength are character, emotional resonance and dialogue.

By purchasing any of these products, you'll have the opportunity to express your interest in working with Em.