What's a manuscript critique?
Have you finished writing a novel but aren’t sure what kind of editing it might need?
A manuscript critique (also a manuscript evaluation or a manuscript assessment) is the best place to start.
What’s a manuscript critique?
A manuscript critique provides feedback on the three biggest issues affecting your novel.
Here's what you get:
What’s covered?
Big-picture issues or craft of writing issues, such as:
What’s not covered?
Detail-oriented topics, such as:
Here’s what I do:
A manuscript critique (also a manuscript evaluation or a manuscript assessment) is the best place to start.
What’s a manuscript critique?
A manuscript critique provides feedback on the three biggest issues affecting your novel.
Here's what you get:
- One full read-through of you novel.
- A 5–10 page evaluation of your book with feedback on what is working well, and notes, suggestions, and feedback on the top three big-picture issues that need some revision.
- A work plan with steps to help you revise your current draft.
- An hour of follow-up questions answered via email.
What’s covered?
Big-picture issues or craft of writing issues, such as:
- plot and structure,
- head hopping,
- point of view,
- narration,
- character arcs and motivation,
- ineffective dialogue,
- info-dumping,
- showing and telling,
- setting and description.
What’s not covered?
Detail-oriented topics, such as:
- grammar,
- punctuation,
- word choice.
Here’s what I do:
- First, I read the manuscript cover to cover and make notes on what’s going well, and what issues would benefit from revision.
- Next, I write you a letter detailing the two or three major issues that could be revised for the story to be successful.
- Finally, I provide a suggested work plan as a guide to help you navigate revisions in the next draft.