CRITIQUE
You’ve got a finished manuscript in hand after months or even years of hard work… but you have no idea whether it’s ready to submit to publishers or agents. Perhaps you know that something isn’t quite right with the story, but you can’t figure out what. Or maybe you’ve put together a proposal for an editor and agent and want to know if it’s competitive enough to stand out in this crowded marketplace.
Don’t be blindsided by what you don’t know, especially before submitting to that dream editor or agent! My comprehensive critiques of your manuscript, proposal, or sample chapters point out the numerous things that you’re already doing right and pinpoint those areas that still need work before you submit to publishing professionals.
On the other side of the business, you might be an indie author getting ready to hit publish, but your beta readers haven’t been able to help you resolve the niggling issues with your work. Let my quick critique/beta read provide the last-minute fixes to ensure that your newest book meets the same high standards your readers have come to expect from your work…. before the reviews come flooding in.
Contact me today for a customized critique quote.
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Genres
I critique the following genres:
- Contemporary fiction
- Contemporary romance
- Women’s fiction
- Fantasy
- Contemporary speculative fiction
- Dystopian
- Space opera
- Christian fiction that falls into any of the above genres
I do not critique these subgenres of the above categories:
- Amish romance
- Erotica or erotic romance
- Grimdark
- Horror
- Hard science fiction
If you don’t see your genre on the list but think it might fit within my expertise, please feel free to inquire via my contact form!
Critique FAQs
How is a critique different from an edit?
A critique is a general assessment of your story with an eye to how it fits in the marketplace and how the average reader will respond to it. It will point out areas of concern (unlikeable characters, problematic premises, or general writing flaws) but it does not necessarily suggest ways to fix the problems. An edit, on the other hand, is an in-depth review of every area of the story, with specific suggestions on characterization, plot, language, and word choice.
When is a critique appropriate instead of an edit?
If you’re pursuing traditional publication, an edit is likely unnecessary—should your book be contracted by a publisher, they will provide full editing services according to house preferences and style. In this case, a critique is a better option. A professional assessment can help you understand the strengths and weaknesses of your work before you submit it to agents and editors, as well as give you pointers on how to best position it in the marketplace.
What items do you critique?
I offer critiques for full fiction manuscripts, sample chapters, proposals, contest entries, synopses, and back cover copy.
What if I don’t know how to fix the problems you pointed out in the critique?
In that case, I recommend booking a couple of coaching sessions to work through the issues and get you back on the right path. See my coaching page here.
Why don’t you critique genres besides the ones you listed above?
Although I read widely across all genres, there are some genres with which I’m just not familiar enough to do a thorough critique. Each genre has its own requirements and expectations, and with certain genres—hard science fiction, for example—I’m just not confident I would catch the clichés and deal-breakers that would hurt it in the marketplace. If you’re not sure how to classify your genre or you think your book might be a good fit for me, send me a thorough message describing your project. For example, contemporary romance with a light suspense thread falls within my area of expertise; a medical thriller without a romance thread would not.
What’s your standard pricing?
Critique pricing varies according to the type of project. Contact me with your specifics for a customized quote.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes, I do offer discounts for clients who request multiple services, whether it be critique + proofreading or content + line editing. Also, if you’re a critique client who books editing services with me within the next year, I offer a substantial discount on your content editing.