Royal Literary Fund (RLF) Fellows offer individual guidance on written assignments to all Queen Mary students – both undergraduates and postgraduates, and from all academic backgrounds. They provide individually tailored, in-depth guidance on all aspects of effective writing, including developing ideas, planning, grammar, punctuation, clarity, editing and rewriting.

Meet the RLF Fellow

Tammy Cohen

Tammy Cohen is an acclaimed novelist and former journalist. Writing both as Tamar Cohen and Tammy Cohen, she has penned ten contemporary novels – debuting with The Mistress’s Revenge (Doubleday, 2011) – mostly focusing on the darker side of human nature and the gap between the selves that lurk under the surface and the selves we show to the world. She is fascinated by what drives people to commit extreme acts and how they justify themselves. In 2027 she has a new novel coming out with Virago called Fallen Women, featuring two Edwardian Lady Parachutists (and one serial killer). 

As Rachel Rhys she has written four historical novels, the first of which, Dangerous Crossing (Doubleday, 2017), was a Richard & Judy pick. These books feature women who break free of the constraints of their time and in doing so discover who they really are. In 2024 she co-wrote with Terry Hayes the companion book to the movie Argylle. She has also written a Quick Reads for the Reading Agency, the charity that promotes adult literacy. Her books have been translated into eighteen languages. 

 As a journalist, Tammy wrote for a wide spectrum of publications including the Times, the Telegraph and Marie Claire. She was Features Editor on Bella and wrote a long-running column for Best. On her first day in a magazine office, she was instructed to produce ‘a good story, well told’. She’s been trying to do that ever since, and to help others do the same through mentoring and now through the RLF. She lives in London and has three (allegedly) adult children and a highly neurotic rescue dog. 

How to contact the RLF Fellow

Book a tutorial

1. Email the Fellow, letting them know what you are studying and what you would like to discuss, on Tammy.Cohen@rlfeducation.org.uk. 
2. Wait for a response. Fellows do not work full time and will reply as soon as possible.
3. The Fellow will arrange a date and time to meet with you.
4. If you need to cancel or rearrange, let the Fellow know as soon as you can.

When and where?

Tammy Cohen currently offers tutorials on Wednesdays (on-site and online) and Thursdays (online). This is subject to change so please check back here for updates. Tutorials last 50 minutes.

You can book an appointment at any stage of your assignment, including after it has been marked, but you may find it best to contact the Fellow before your deadline, so you can implement any advice you receive.

In-person tutorials with the Royal Literary Fellow take place in our Academic Skills Centre on the first floor of Mile End Library – room MEL 1.25. The room is clearly signed.

Additional information

The service is free of charge, confidential and independent of the university. It runs as a complement to the one-to-one appointments service. As professional writers, the RLF Fellows are especially equipped to offer advice on style and structure. 

RLF tutorials are not suitable for students who require specialised English language help (e.g. TEFL, EAP). who should seek help from QMUL's Language Centre.