Services: Manuscript Critique/Assessment

My critiques, though sensitive, are not for the faint of heart.

When you hire Chrysalis Editorial to evaluate your works of fiction or non-fiction you will receive an honest, constructive response. Knowing the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript will help jump-start your revision process.

 

For both fiction and non-fiction critiques you will receive:

  • a 10-20 page evaluation.
  • notations on the manuscript itself.
  • a 30-minute follow-up telephone conversation, where you may address and particular questions or concerns you have about the critique.

 

 For a fiction manuscript (novel or short stories), I provide you, the author, with:

  • an overarching summary of the story's strengths and weaknesses
  • what works and what might be improved, referencing the various elements of fiction–structure, character, voice, plot, tension, setting, point-of-view, dialogue, and so on.
  • suggestions and examples of how you might alter or enhance each problem area.
  • many comments on the manuscript pages themselves to help give focus to your rewrite.

 

For a non-fiction manuscript (memoir or non-fiction project), you will receive a critique similar to the process cited above, including comments on the manuscript itself and a typed summary of what's working and what isn't. Comments focus on:

  • the work's structure,
  • cohesiveness of the material,
  • faithfulness to the stated focus/purpose of the book, and
  • accuracy of the subject matter.

As with fiction evaluations, non-fiction comments also include suggestions and examples to help you revise your manuscript.

 

What to do to get started:

Click here to email chrysaliseditorial@rcn.com the following information:

  • Your work's genre and length (word count & # of pages)
  • Problems you are having
  • Contact information (name, email address, etc)
  • How you heard about Chrysalis Editorial Services

 
 

"Working with Herta was like getting a whirlwind course in creative writing. In editing my work, she helped me…clarify story, plot, and character. The end result was a tighter, more concise, and infinitely more readable manuscript."

-Cynthia Tocci (recently published YA fantasy novel, The Road to Kiva)