Manuscript Critique
If you’ve finished the first draft of your book, you need honest and objective feedback on your work. Rather than focus on line-by-line editing, a Manuscript Critique is about making sure you are achieving what you set out to do.
For fiction, I focus on elements such as plot, setting, point of view, theme, conflict, tone, and characterization. I suggest cutting certain elements, adding others, and making any necessary structural changes.
For nonfiction, I help you organize the book and offer suggestions for how to best support your arguments. I point out what is missing, what can be cut, and I suggest ways to restructure the information. I can also help with chapter titles, subheadings, and ways to express data visually.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
• A detailed critique of 2 to 3 pages
• In-line commentary throughout the manuscript indicating where precisely the manuscript needs work, including suggestions of where arguments need more support, where the story line could improve, and anything else that can benefit from revisions.
• An analysis of the key elements of your work, such as plot, dialogue, characterization, structure, coherence, consistency, and organization
• An edited outline so you can make revisions with confidence After a Manuscript Book Critique, authors have more clarity on the work to be done and renewed excitement for the book.
Book Editing
Once you have incorporated feedback from the Manuscript Critique and done some rewriting, you are ready for professional editing. Many editors offer only one type of edit—developmental, copy editing, or line editing. I offer all three. As with the Manuscript Critique, I will point out any big-picture issues and suggest how to fix them.
For fiction, this means elements such as plot, setting, point of view, theme, conflict, tone, and characterization.
For nonfiction, this includes pointing out what is missing and what can be cut, and offering suggestions for how to best support your arguments. In addition to the big-picture perspective, I will also suggest improvements in the flow and clarity of the manuscript by examining the manuscript on a sentence level. I make suggestions regarding word choice, syntax, and tone to enhance your writing style and the text’s overall effectiveness.
YOU WILL RECEIVE:
• Line-by-line editing of your book to improve clarity and flow while maintaining your distinct voice.
• Extensive commentary indicating exactly where arguments need more support or how the story elements can be improved, and identify any other areas that can be enhanced.
• Corrections of spelling, grammar, typos, and any other inconsistencies
• Suggestions to improve the tone, style, word choice, and sentence structure throughout the manuscript
• All the revisions will be made as suggestions, so that you can review everything and accept or reject those changes, which gives you complete creative control over your book.
• Personalized notes for the next steps, so you have everything you need to make revisions
Query Letter Review
Those seeking to publish traditionally need a query letter that will get the attention of publishers or literary agents. This short letter includes critical details about your book: the title, the author, genre, word count, and synopsis. I will review your query letter and make detailed suggestions on the structure, style, and content. A good query letter must have a strong hook and a compelling synopsis that will make the publisher or literary agent want to read the book.
Your manuscript might fade into the slush if it fails to grab their interest! Paying special attention to the tone, structure, length, and focus of the letter is a must. I will share the query letter I wrote to land an agent and a two-book deal with HarperCollins and bring those same skills to making your letter as strong as possible.
Consultations
A consultation allows you to discuss your personal needs in-depth, whether you need editing or deciding on the next step of your writing journey. The editing consultation includes a one-page outline of items discussed and other follow-up information.
Do any of the following statements resonate with you?
• I want to write a book but don’t know how to begin.
• I’ve started but am struggling to finish.
• The plot or structure feels like a complete mess.
• I feel creatively stuck.
• I’ve finished my book but don’t know whether to self-publish or go the traditional route.
• I need some guidance regarding agents, publishers, etc.
