Learn more about my manuscript critique services and self-publishing coaching for indie authors!
Updated July 2nd, 2024
I love critiquing manuscripts. I love getting excited about a beautiful bit of writing. I love looking at it from all angles to figure out exactly why one piece of it doesn't seem to be working quite right. I love the process of tossing around ideas with another writer. I love the excitement of a big breakthrough when that "a-ha" moment happens and another bit of the story is unlocked.
If your manuscript is stuck, or you're getting conflicting advice from critique partners, or if you're just looking for a way to take it to the next level, then perhaps I can be the editor you’ve been seeking for your fiction or non-fiction writing!
Why Choose Me?
You want someone smart, reliable, and professional. Also, someone who has publishing experience. I get it. Your book is your baby and putting it into the hands of a complete stranger so that they can tell you all the things wrong with it is HARD. My first goal is to treat your novel with care and respect. I will NEVER tell you that your (still fictional) baby is ugly and you should throw it out. I will tell you the ways in which your baby can be better.
I’ve had three young adult books published with HarperTeen and one middle grade graphic novel with DC Comics. I also have self-published an adult romantic comedy, a YA urban fantasy series, and have just started a new paranormal mystery series.
I also have a bit of schooling in my back pocket…and the loans payments to proof it! I have a BFA in theater and an MFA in film and television production. Both programs were very hands-on and I learned a lot about both giving and receiving criticism.
Finally, I am a lifelong reader and lover of books. I read across all genres and age groups, and feel confident in offering critiques for your book and wherever it fits on the store bookshelves.
Over the years of offering paid critiques I’ve critiqued memoirs, self help books, screenplays and novels that cover all genres. I take pride in being widely read and open to everything - no matter how dark or silly or (gasp!) sexy it might. So bring it on!
Nuts and Bolts
Let’s get to the info you’re really interested in - what is a developmental edit and how much will it cost to have your manuscript edited?
First Ten Pages Manuscript Critiques with FREE Query Critique included- $45
The first ten pages grab an agent's or editor's or reader’s attention. There is really no way to understate the importance of those first ten pages. They can make or break a book. You need to hook readers while also carefully drawing them into the world of your story.
The very first page especially is extra super duper crucial. And the opening line(s) too! I give these parts of your ten pages extra super duper scrutiny, helping you hone your vision so your story shines through.
Throughout those ten pages I will give you in-line edits, pointing out various places where I spot issues or feel you might want to rework something. When I’m done, I send a detailed edit letter, talking about the overall strengths as well issues I spotted during my reading, and my advice on how best to fix those issues. After that gets sent your way, I always remain available via email to clarify any questions you might have about the critique.
Full Manuscript Critique - .02/word (minus the words from the first ten pages)
Sometimes you need more help beyond the first ten pages. There are big issues that sometimes don’t come to light in such a small portion of the manuscript. Or maybe you’re preparing your book for self publication via Amazon or other distributors and you want a professional eye to help tighten the story. This is when a full manuscript critique is necessary.
As with the first ten pages critique, I will give in-line edits along with extensive detailed notes. My big picture edits will cover: plot, pacing, character arcs, and the ever elusive voice. Smaller in-line edits are to point out specific points where dialogue might be weak, something might be unclear, or where the writing could be tightened up. These edits will NOT focus on grammar or spelling.
Partial Manuscript Critique
If you are looking for a partial manuscript critique - maybe the first 50 or 100 pages - please email me to discuss rates. Honestly, I think a full critique is more valuable because that way I am able to see the manuscript as a whole and consider the full plot and character arcs, and fully understand how all the pieces of your story come together. However, I understand that everyone is looking for something different, so please contact me and we can discuss it further.
Query Critique Extravaganza - $30
Let’s get that query ready to hit the inboxes of all the best agents. I will critique your query a total of 5 times - nitpicking it to pieces until every bit of it is just right. If you’ve never written a query before and feel absolutely lost - we can also start from scratch for $50.
Synopsis Critique - $10
The dreaded synopsis. You know you need one. You sat down and somehow wrote one. But is it any good? Did you give away too much? Or not enough? Let me give it a read-through and full critique to make sure that every part of your query package is professional.
Self Publication Coaching for Indie Authors *NEW*
Over the last two years I’ve embarked on a hybrid career - publishing my books both traditionally and through self publishing. It’s been a long and exciting during which I have learned a whole lot. I want to help other authors who are stepping into the world of indie publishing and feel the same way that I did at the beginning - totally overwhelmed and out of my depth.
Coaching begins with us talking about your goals and what you want to achieve. Also where you need help and what you feel like you can handle on your own. From there we’d set up a plan for us to work together on getting your book out into the world. These services could include:
-Editing
-Setting up distributors
-Figuring out how to market book
-Cover creation
-Formatting
-Pricing
-Setting up ads on Amazon and Facebook
-Creating graphics for marketing
-Author branding
For further information on these services please use my contact form.
The Small Print
To get things started contact me via my contact form.
All payments will go through PayPal. I will invoice you, which means in addition to my fee, you will pay a small fee to PayPal. As of January 1, 2015, the fee is 2.9%. Please go to the PayPal website for more information.
Please send your manuscript in using industry standard formatting. This means: 1-inch margins all around, size 12 font (Times New Roman is my personal preference), double-spaced, with no extra spacing between paragraphs. All editing will be done using Microsoft Word's track changing function. If you don't have Microsoft Word let me know and we can try working around it with Google docs.
As I mentioned above, I am a young adult author, but I read widely and feel comfortable offering edits for many different age categories and genres. I am not a good match for Christian/Inspirational fiction, erotica, and non-fiction. If you aren't sure if I'm a good fit, feel free to email me and we can talk it out.
Receiving a critique from me is in no way a guarantee that you will find representation, be published, or become the next JK Rowling. I will do everything in my power to help you improve your manuscript, but sometimes even the best manuscripts don't find a home.
For Ten Page Critiques my turn around time is two weeks after receiving your pages. If I have a backlog, I will let you know when to send your pages and start the clock. The turnaround time for Full Manuscript Critiques will be no more than four weeks.
All submissions received are automatically assumed as copyrighted by you, the author. I will never reproduce your words without your written permission. I will not steal your ideas. If I feel like your manuscript is too similar to something that I am working on, I will pass on editing it. That being said, publishing is full of trends. If you write a book about witches, I cannot guarantee that I won't also write a witch book. If this is a big concern for you, maybe consider working with a freelance editor who is not also a writer.
By scheduling and paying for a critique sale you are agreeing to all these Terms and Conditions.