Manuscript Critique

General guidance on the big-picture storytelling aspects of your novel.

In a manuscript critique, all the major elements of a novel are taken into consideration: plot, story, characterisation, structure, tension, theme, genre, narrative style and so on.

Presented solely as a written report, it’s a less intensive version of a developmental edit, leaving you to work out how to apply the suggestions to the specificities of your novel.

The aim of this service is to highlight the areas of your novel that need the most attention and provide you with suggestions on how to tackle them.

I’ve had a lot of feedback by a lot of different people over the years, but the level of detail and empathy for the goals of the story that you have is remarkable […] It’s one of the most useful critiques I’ve ever had. I’d recommend you to anyone looking to improve their work.

Angela Readman

Thank you so much for the time and effort you put into the report. I’m also grateful you see potential in the characters and the piece overall. I know it’s going to be so much better for your having worked with it, and I can’t thank you enough for offering such a thorough critique.

Britney Peterson

It was great to get such a detailed critique. The criticisms rang true and were encapsulated in a way that made it easy for me to see the problems. Getting this feedback has really given me encouragement to fix the issues and make it a more professional and complete book.

Ben Ellis

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Insights into the world of fiction, from the desk of an editor

Editorial considerations, creative revelations and the occasional existential lamentation – sharing my experiences and personal recommendations exclusively with you.