About us

We believe that every writer has a story worth telling and we’re here to help you tell yours.

That’s why we created PageOne – to make writing accessible to every aspiring author through high-quality and affordable education.

Starting with a focus on writing, in future we aim to open up the world of publishing to aspiring authors, with courses on publishing, marketing and building a career as an author.

We are a team of editors, authors and publishers with over 150 years’ combined expertise in bestselling fiction and we help writers craft page-turning stories.

Our mission

We empower writers with the skills and confidence they need to create page-turning stories.

Built by publishers,
designed for writers

PageOne is designed by Bookouture, in partnership with authors, editors and an experienced team of learning designers. We are the only learning platform for commercial fiction created by a Big Five publisher.

Bookouture is the leading digital-first publisher of bestselling commercial fiction and part of Hachette UK. Our unique publishing model has created unrivalled international author brands and our authors are at the heart of everything we do.

We believe that every writer should have the opportunity to find their bestseller potential.

Industry expertise
with proven educational methods

Our courses teach you writing techniques used by bestselling authors and experienced editors, and are built using research-backed learning design that makes sure concepts stick.

Whether you’re a new writer just sitting down to type your first words, or an experienced author looking to develop your craft, PageOne adapts to your level.

Our courses provide the perfect foundation and support for beginners, and in-depth industry insights for seasoned writers. One-to-one time with editors and publishing experts allows you to ask those burning questions and hone your commercial instincts.

Whatever you’re writing, wherever you are on your writing journey, we believe breaking down page-turners to their essential ingredients will give you the clarity and focus to push your writing to its greatest potential.

What makes us different?

Most writing courses believe you should be led by your characters. At PageOne we believe in planning first. Don’t let your characters lead you down dead ends. Give them the support of a beginning, middle and end, and watch them come to life.

We believe

Bestsellers Begin

By Trusting
Our Methods

We have worked on hundreds of globally bestselling books and we believe our process gives writers the best chance of success.

By Offering
Expert Guidance

We are a team of experienced editors and authors who are passionate about opening up the world of writing through training.

By Creating
Connections

Learn alongside a community of writers from all backgrounds and experience levels in a supportive, inclusive environment.

By Being
Open To All

We understand every writer’s personal story is different and we are proud to offer a range of financial options for all budgets.

Our Authors

Sue Watson

Sue Watson was a journalist on national magazines and newspapers before becoming a TV producer with the BBC. 

Now a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author, Sue explores the darker side of life, writing psychological thrillers with big twists.

Soraya Lane

Soraya Lane graduated with a law degree before realising that law wasn’t the career for her and that her future was in writing. She is the author of historical and contemporary women’s fiction, including the #1 Amazon bestselling novels The Last Correspondent and The Secrets We Left Behind and the internationally bestselling Lost Daughters series. 

Leodora Darlington

Leodora Darlington is a writer from London with Ghanaian heritage. She received a distinction for her Masters in Creative Writing from Brunel University, where she studied under authors like Benjamin Zephaniah and Will Self. A Bookseller Rising Star in 2021, Leodora is also an editor and has published a range of bestselling fiction. The Exes is her debut novel.

Lauren North

Lauren writes psychological suspense novels that delve into the darker side of relationships and families. She has a lifelong passion for writing, reading and all things books. Lauren’s love of psychological suspense has grown since childhood and her dark imagination of always wondering ‘What’s the worst thing that could happen?’ in every situation.

Suzette D. Harrison

Suzette D. Harrison grew up in a home where reading was required, not requested. Turning her love of reading into a rising literary career, Suzette was first published when her poetry appeared in her middle school’s creative journal. While Suzette pays homage to Alex Haley, Gloria Naylor, Alice Walker, Langston Hughes, and Toni Morrison as legends who inspired her creativity, it was Dr Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings that unleashed her writing. Literally!

Lisa Regan

Lisa Regan is a USA Today, Wall Street Journal and global #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Detective Josie Quinn series as well as several other crime fiction titles. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in English and Master of Education Degree from Bloomsburg University. She is a member of Sisters In Crime, Mystery Writers of America and International Thriller Writers. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

Daniel Hurst

Daniel Hurst is a #1 Amazon bestselling author of fast-paced psychological thrillers. His most popular titles include The Doctor’s Wife, which reached number one in the UK Kindle store, The Couple’s Revenge, The Couple in the Cabin and The Perfect Nurse.
 
Daniel prides himself on writing fast-paced, twist-filled stories with jaw-dropping endings and he loves engaging with his readers.

Anna Stuart

Anna was hooked on books from the moment she first opened one in her cot so is thrilled to now have several of her own to her name. Having studied English Literature at Cambridge University, she took an enjoyable temporary trip into the ‘real world’ as a factory planner, before returning to her first love and becoming an author. History has also always fascinated her. Living in an old house with a stone fireplace, she often wonders who sat around it before her and is intrigued by how actively the past is woven into the present, something she likes to explore in her novels. 

The Team

Ain Chiara

What I love most about publishing is working closely with authors, to nurture and support their talent and skills. A few years ago, I joined Bookouture to create and lead this academy.

Previously, I worked across Penguin Random House and Oxford University Press, as well as consulting for both authors and publishers. I’ve had the privilege of contributing to campaigns for authors including Bernardine Evaristo, Lisa Jewell and Tim Peake. I am so excited to bring my experience to supporting writers in creating stories that readers will love.

Natalie Butlin

Head of Content for PageOne, Commercial Insight Director for Bookouture, and bestselling author (do not ask for my pseudonym). With an MA in creative writing and a background in teaching creative writing, followed by a publishing career spanning agenting, editorial, marketing, data analysis, and just about everything else, I was overjoyed at being put in charge of the course content for PageOne, where I can use my expertise as both a writer and a publisher to help writers craft bestselling page-turners of their own. 

Alex Crow

I have over a decade’s experience marketing and connecting commercial titles to readers, currently at Bookouture since 2016 and previously at Hachette. I feel the growth of digital publishing has allowed authors more direct access to their audience and deepened that reader relationship more than ever before. Understanding how words connect authors to their fans and the enjoyment that comes from placing the right book in the hands of the right reader is something I find immensely rewarding. I want to use my experience to help writers create and share their stories in a way that will resonate with a wide audience.

Natasha Harding

I’ve worked at Bookouture since 2017, having previously been at Avon, HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan. In my current role as Publishing Director, I publish chart-topping authors including Daniel Hurst, JD Kirk, Anna Stuart, Shalini Boland, Sandy Taylor – and many more! I publish historical fiction, crime fiction, women’s fiction and everything in between.
 
I’m hugely passionate about storytelling. Part of my job as an editor is to identify which elements of a story most appeal to readers – this includes structure, pace, characterisation and tension – and it’s been a joy to work on the PageOne courses to share some of that learning. I can’t wait to see the authors progress on the PageOne courses – good luck everyone!

Ellen Gleeson

My commercial publishing career began at Bookouture in 2017 and ever since I’ve had the pleasure of publishing a range of authors including New York Times bestseller Freida McFadden, multi-million copy bestselling Nicole Trope, Tuscan-based Angela Petch, the incredibly prolific Kerry Wilkinson, women’s fiction author Liz Eeles and many more.

I love all kinds of commercial fiction, from addictive crime thrillers to uplifting romances and tear-jerking historical fiction. Connecting authors with readers is a true passion of mine. I love helping authors craft the most tantalising hooks possible, and delving into story structure to ensure we keep readers gripped until the final page.

Kelsie Marsden

I joined Bookouture in summer 2019 after previously working in lifestyle publishing. I love helping authors shape their ideas to nail an absolutely killer hook. I’m always looking for new voices across all genres of commercial fiction, from totally twisty and explosive thrillers to dilemma-driven women’s fiction and swoonworthy romance. I feel passionate about books that make readers feel something – and keep them coming back for more! For me, it’s all about that gripping plot, mind-blowing twists and characters you fall in love with.
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