The Difficult Second (or subsequent) Novel
How to deal with imposter syndrome, deadlines, pressure and getting to the end of writing your second (or third, fourth of fifth) novel
Getting your nemesis novel written
Second novels are notoriously difficult. When we start writing, we write for joy, for love and for the thrill of creativity. A career as an author can be a dream, but as that dream gets closer to reality new pressures come in - tight deadlines, balancing editing one book with writing another, the nagging sense that everyone else out there is a proper writer and you're the only one who doesn't know what they're doing at all.
Whether those feelings hit on your second, third, or fifteenth novel this course is here to help you find a way through the stress and the doubt to finish that challenging next book that just doesn't want to behave.
Choose a pricing plan
Buy 'The Difficult Second Novel' for a one off price of £29.99 (UK price - price in other countries may vary because of differing taxes).
PLEASE NOTE: This course was originally available as part of the Author Breakthrough Club mini-course range and may include references in the video tutorials to comments, chats and specific dates that are not relevant to this pre-recorded version.
Every writer has a nemesis book - it's usually the second one
This course covers:
Why it's so difficult to write a second (or subsequent) novel?
Deadlines, time management and practicalities
Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt
When things go wrong
A few extra hints and tips
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1The Difficult Second Novel
About your course tutor
Alison May is a novelist and short story writer and a former Chair of the Romantic Novelists’ Association. She currently writes romantic comedies as Amelia Berry and is published by Hera/Canelo. Her first crime novel will be released by One More Chapter in 2026.
Alison has been shortlisted in both the Love Stories and Romantic Novel of the Year awards. Along with Janet Gover, Alison also writes reinterpretations of misunderstood classic novels, under the penname Juliet Bell.
Alison is also qualified teacher with a degree in Creative Writing and, as well as working one to one with developing novelists, has taught for NAWG, Worcestershire Litfest and the University of Worcester. She is currently an associate lecturer in creative writing with the Open University. Past students and mentoring clients have gone on to achieve agent representation, publication with traditional publishers – including Avon, Boldwood, Bookouture, Fourth Estate, Headline, Head of Zeus and HQ – and to self-publish successfully.