Launch Pad
The Countdown to Writing Your Book.
A practical craft guide for first-time novelists, co-edited by Emma Dhesi and Grace Sammon – twelve chapters from published authors and writing coaches to take you step by step towards a finished novel.
Writing a first novel throws up the same questions for almost everyone. How do I plan it? How do I make my characters feel real? Why does this scene fall flat? Launch Pad answers them in twelve focused chapters, each written by an author or coach who specialises in that part of the craft.
Topics include outlining, building characters, writing strong scenes, adding conflict, world building, point of view and researching your story, along with Emma's own chapter on working with a book coach. Each chapter ends with countdown tips, and the book comes with downloadable planning sheets so you can apply what you've read to your own manuscript straight away.
Contributors include Joe Bunting, Kat Caldwell, Heather Davis, Susanne Dunlap, Lewis Jorstad, Stacy Juba, Linda Rosen, Samantha Skal, Meredith Stoddard, Janyre Tromp and Carol Van Den Hende.
The book grew out of Grace Sammon's radio show Launch Pad, which celebrates new books and the authors behind them. It opens with a foreword by author, screenwriter and editor Amy Ferris.
Key book details
- Writers starting their first novel who want a clear place to begin
- Anyone who feels daunted by outlining, character or structure
- Writers who have started a novel and stalled
- Writers who learn best from several voices rather than a single method
- Writing groups and classes looking for a shared craft book
What readers say
"This is a great launch pad whether you are just starting to write, or still have lots to learn and REMEMBER, like me."Anne
" I HIGHLY recommend this resource for beginning authors and even seasoned ones! Write!"AngieB
"Even as an author of two novels, this book is tremendously helpful. Highly recommend."Donna
Emma Dhesi is a Scottish author and writing teacher based in Edinburgh. She writes dark women's fiction set in Scotland, including The Day She Came Home and Follow Me, and leads memoir workshops in Edinburgh and writing retreats in Greece and Kenya.
She co-edited Launch Pad with Grace Sammon, an award-winning author, educator and radio host. The book brings together the craft advice Emma wishes she'd had when writing her own first novel.
Get your copy
What is Launch Pad: The Countdown to Writing Your Book?
Launch Pad is a non-fiction craft guide for first-time novelists, co-edited by Emma Dhesi and Grace Sammon and published by Red Penguin Books in 2023. It has twelve chapters by published authors and writing coaches, a foreword by Amy Ferris, and downloadable planning sheets.
Who is Launch Pad for?
It is written for people writing their first novel, whether they are just starting out or have a draft that has stalled. It also works well as a shared text for writing groups and classes.
What does the book cover?
Chapters cover outlining, characters, scenes, conflict, world building, point of view, research and working with a book coach. Each chapter ends with practical countdown tips.
Is Launch Pad part of a series?
Yes. It is the first book in the Launch Pad Book Series. The other two titles cover publishing and marketing your book.
Where can I buy Launch Pad?
Launch Pad is available as a Kindle ebook and paperback from Amazon in the UK, US and other countries, and from retailers including Waterstones and Barnes & Noble.
Can I work with Emma Dhesi on my own writing?
Yes. Emma leads in-person memoir workshops in Edinburgh and writing retreats in Greece and Kenya. Details are on the workshops and retreats page.
Want to write with Emma in person?
Launch Pad gives you the tools. A workshop or retreat gives you the time, the feedback and the company of other writers to use them.
See Workshops & Retreats →