Manuscript Evaluations
A Big-Picture Look at Your Novel
“You helped me focus, recognize the need to write for the reader rather than myself, provided important market insight, and to maximize the emotionality of what I was writing about.”
Jim Nichols, Gay Fiction Author
Fiction Story Analysis and Feedback Services
Congratulations! You’ve completed the first draft.
It’s a huge milestone, and I’ve been there so I know the ink, sweat, and tea that has gone into it.
Now you’ve had a moment to catch your breath, you want to know what is working and how everything hangs together, and that’s the beauty of this early-stage feedback!
You might find this level of feedback called a manuscript assessment, manuscript critique, or a novel report.
The main feedback consists of an editorial letter covering strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions for improvement.
The following areas are covered, as applicable:
A chapter-by-chapter breakdown of the entire novel structure
Theme, Voice, and Genre Expectations
Character Goals, Motivations, Flaws, Wounds, and Arc
Conflict, Pacing, and Point of View
Dialogue, Setting, and Other Key Areas
Every author and publication journey is different, so get in touch to discuss your needs, and let’s get some remarkable queer stories out there!
Coaching hours can be combined with a manuscript evaluation should you wish to talk through my feedback during your revisions.
Manuscript Evaluation Pricing
In-Depth, Chapter-by-Chapter Evaluation
Comprehensive manuscript review
5+ areas to focus on for revisions
Chapter and scene breakdown (12+ pages)
$950
60–80,000 words
For longer manuscripts and specific needs, let me know, and we can work on solving those issues!
Ideal Story Session for Outline or Synopsis Feedback
You’ve got a story idea. You’ve got the notes, the beats, the bits—but you want to know if it’ll all hang together before you start drafting or once you’re a few pages in.
My Ideal Story Session combines all the talking of a discovery call (you get to know me) and all the benefits of a coaching session (you get all the feedback), allowing us to meet, dissect and brainstorm your story idea.
Once you have a synopsis (fewer than 1,500 words) or an outline/overview of your gay fiction, queer romance, crime, historical novel or memoir, book a call with me (I’ll send you a Zoom link).
I’ll review your outline before our meeting.
You’ll be ready to draft/revise/smash your ideal story!
60 minutes at no cost
Reach out for more information: sam@sjkeir.com
“Sam did a fantastic job of checking my manuscript for structural issues and plot holes. He also read it through the lens of sensitivity for any LGBTQ+ representation issues. His comments were insightful, kind and full of actionable advice. Thanks, Sam!”
Debbie Emmitt, Editor and Proofreader
- Steve Cadell, The Sharehouse
- Leo Caide, Here is a Place
- Edisol Dotson, Take Two
- Nicky James, Paternal Instincts (Valor and Doyle Book 8)
- Kelex, Echo and the Homicidal Sea Panda.
- Nicky James, Reading Between the Lines (Shadowy Solutions Book 3).
- K.C. Adams, What We Have Lost.
- Nicky James, Symphony of Salvation (Timber Creek Academy).
- Kit Erikson, Better Than Sex (San Francisco Sex Gods Book 1).
- Sam E. Kraemer, Love By Numbers Series.
- Nicky James, Power of the Mind (Shadowy Solutions Book 2).
- Sam E. Kraemer, The Katydid Ranch Series.
- Bruce Bishop, Grow Up Rory Rafferty.
- Nicky James, Skeletons in the Closet (Shadowy Solutions Book 1).
- Nicky James, Promises are Forever.
- Sam E. Kraemer, Kiss Me Stupid.
- Jaclyn Osborn, Sent To A Fantasy World and Now All the Men Want Me: Volume 2.
- Nicky James, Everything I Didn't Know.
- Tess Carletta, Kit & Basie.
- Sophie Snow, The Rule of Three.
- Amelia Bishop, Taming the Fox.
- Gio Peters, Third Times A Charm.
- E.G. Shaida, Falling for Ezra Becker.
- Bruce Bishop, Undeniable Relations.
- Frankie Thompson, The Moon Also Rises.