Reading and critiquing other writers’ work is always interesting, engaging and enjoyable. I’ve worked with picture books, chapter books, middle grade and teen novels and I especially enjoy working with longer manuscripts.
 

Your manuscript critique includes:
 

• Positive comments on as many points as possible. For an overview, I look at the structure of the work: story problem, characters, point of view, dialogue, climax, and closing. Also considered are show versus tell, transitions, wordiness and creating images in the reader’s mind.
   

• In the margins, you’ll see good comments and suggestions for areas of improvement.  If you have a buried opening or a buried title that might be stronger than the one on the page, I’ll suggest that to you, too.
   

• In a follow-up letter, strengths and weaknesses will be discussed in detail. I’ll try to mention books you might look at that have used a similar idea that could be helpful to you.
   

• For shorter manuscripts, a two-week turn-around is my goal. For longer manuscripts, more time is needed, but I can give you an estimate when I receive your work. I like to read each manuscript more than once, and give thoughtful feedback.
   

• If possible, I’ll make marketing suggestions and we can talk about your cover or query letter.
  
  Fee:  $100 per manuscript for picture books; if under 700 words, 2 for $150.00. If you’d like to revise and resubmit, you’ll receive a 50% discount.
  Manuscripts for today’s fiction picture book market should be under 1,000 words, typed and double-spaced.
   

Longer works should also be typed and double-spaced.
Include a SASE for your manuscript’s return.
To contact me, please fill out the form below and include a descrit of  your project and for further information or
E-mail: Hecklit (at) aol (dot) com