The question I’m always asking is: what’s most important to tackle now to produce the strongest story possible?

This is a short-turnaround reading service I offer, covering many areas of a developmental edit, but it is less invasive to the manuscript itself. I’ll have your manuscript and editorial letter back to you within two or three weeks, based on 50-80,000 words; if your manuscript is longer, no problem, but it’ll take me a touch longer to return it.

A chapter-by-chapter breakdown helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the manuscript. This shows what is working well based on genre expectations and your vision for the manuscript, while also ensuring that readers aren’t confused and that missed moments are strengthened for emotional impact.

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Editorial letter

Each manuscript evaluation is returned with an editorial letter, which serves as our main point of discussion and contains the majority of my notes. I may highlight some comments on the manuscript, but this service focuses on the big picture rather than line- or word-level issues.

What’s Covered:

I’ll outline Strengths, Weaknesses, and lots of Suggestions touching on the following craft principles.

Structure:

• Overall logic, flow, and pace. I’ll consider genre conventions and consistency throughout the novel.
• Sequencing of events. Timeline issues can throw a reader out of the story, and checking for issues early ensures a smooth reading experience.
• Consistency of descriptions regarding characters and setting. The focus is on the main characters, but I’ll keep an eye on sidekicks and minor characters as well.

Story:

• POV. Point of view is the perspective from which the story is told. It can have major implications if not handled well, and I’ll be looking for head-hopping and narrative distance to ensure they serve the story’s needs.
• Character development. Here I’ll be looking for explicit and implicit references to goals, both external and internal motivations, and conflict, and how these work together to create a satisfying character arc.
• Dialogue. Is the dialogue advancing the plot, revealing something about the characters, or providing critical details about the story world and backstory?
• Identify plot holes and disjointed elements.
• Is the content engaging? Here I often focus on emotional reactions and how characters reveal their personalities through their responses to story events.

Style:

• Use of figurative and descriptive language. I’ll be looking at whether this serves the story’s needs and engages, rather than distracts, the reader.
• Voice. Notoriously difficult to define, but when it shifts or the tone and mood change, it can leave the reader feeling lost.
• Genre style conventions. I’ll consider things like chapter and manuscript length, alongside common tropes and archetypes, and highlight anything that successfully or unsuccessfully breaks genre barriers for romance and crime fiction.

Suggestions for improvement will be consolidated into 3–5 main areas, and you are free to ask further questions on any points you are unsure about.

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This is a quick overview of what will be included in a manuscript evaluation. I primarily work with LGBTQIA+ characters and authors, and queer romance and queer crime fiction are my main areas of expertise. Outside of those genres, I might be able to help, or I can recommend an editor who may be a better fit.

Pricing information can be found on my website.

I can also provide Zoom coaching sessions if you’d like to discuss your project before or after the readthrough.

Every author is unique, and each project requires a different level of intervention. I pride myself on being flexible, so drop me a line and we can talk more about your needs.

Always happy to chat about your upcoming project, so don’t hesitate to reach out or book your Ideal Story Session! 

Image by Tafilah Yusof from Pixabay