I’m Daniel Willcocks, founder of Devils Rock Publishing, where I coach fiction writers and help them develop effective publishing strategies. I support authors in shaping, refining, and releasing stories that matter, guiding them from draft to publication with craft, confidence, and clarity. My passion lies in fiction, from novels and short stories to speculative works and I combine that creative focus with practical publishing expertise to ensure writers not only complete their manuscripts but also position them to reach the right readers and markets.
Over years of writing, revising and navigating the publishing world, I saw many genuinely talented authors stuck, either in endless drafts, or unsure how to move into publishing. Many had creative strength but lacked structure, guidance or clarity on markets and next steps.
I founded Devils Rock Publishing to bridge that gap: to offer coaching that isn't purely creative feedback, but blends craft, planning and real-world publishing insight. I wanted a place where writers could get mentorship plus the framework to move forward reliably.
At Devils Rock Publishing, I provide comprehensive support for fiction writers through several key services. My one-to-one writing coaching and editorial guidance offers hands-on help with structure, pacing, character arcs, themes, and rewriting. I also deliver developmental manuscript reviews that identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities for improvement, along with publishing strategy guidance to help authors choose between indie and traditional routes, prepare query materials, and position their work effectively.
Workshops and masterclasses cover focused topics such as character development, worldbuilding, tension, and plotting, helping writers build skills systematically. I also provide accountability and goal support through writing plans, check-ins, feedback loops, and motivational structures to keep progress consistent.
Each engagement begins with understanding the writer’s objectives and assessing the manuscript’s stage, followed by co-designing a tailored roadmap outlining revision priorities, structure, and next steps for submission or publication. Because my work is fully remote, I can support writers anywhere through document exchange, tracked revisions, live coaching calls, and asynchronous feedback, ensuring an efficient and flexible process.
Here are the key lessons I’ve learned. Don’t rush feedback, giving deep critique too early can overwhelm authors, so it’s better to map structure first and refine later. Balance guidance with autonomy by encouraging writers to trust their own voice while offering direction. Set realistic milestones, as large goals only work when broken into clear, actionable steps. Focus on the teaching process, not just giving critique; showing how to revise or plan helps authors grow independently. Finally, committed to continual learning, I regularly read craft books, track publishing trends, and refine my own coaching methods to stay effective.
If I were starting Devils Rock Publishing again, I'd build more free content early:
This attracts authors who want to test my style. I'd also systematise coaching modules earlier so scaling doesn't dilute quality. And I'd collect metrics from day one:
This helps me see what approaches actually work best.
I plan to launch group coaching and cohort programmes to make writing guidance more affordable and accessible to a wider range of authors. Alongside this, I aim to build resource libraries containing checklists, revision worksheets, and publishing templates, and may eventually release anthologies or edited collections of client work. To expand visibility, I’ll share more interviews, writing craft content, publishing insights, and author case studies. My long-term goal is for Devils Rock Publishing to be recognised as a trusted partner for fiction writers ready to turn their passion into published work.
Devils Rock Publishing specialises in helping fiction writers. This includes authors working on novels, short stories, and speculative fiction. The focus is on narrative work, so you get guidance that understands character arcs, tension, and worldbuilding.
The main difference is the combination of creative craft with practical publishing insight. Instead of just focusing on your writing, the coaching also prepares you for the realities of the publishing world, whether you choose an indie or traditional path. It’s a structured yet personal partnership.
No, all services are fully remote. This flexible approach allows you to get support from anywhere in the world. Coaching is delivered through document exchanges, tracked revisions, live video calls, and asynchronous feedback to fit your schedule.
The process begins with a deep dive into your specific goals as a writer. Your manuscript's current stage is assessed, and then a tailored roadmap is designed with you. This plan outlines revision priorities and clear next steps for submission or publication.
