A developmental critique looks at the big-picture elements of your story’s structure—characters, plot, and theme—and considers how they can work together more effectively to create an emotionally satisfying and meaningful experience for the reader.

I’m ruthless (though gentle) when it comes to confronting storytelling issues, but my main goal is to help you strengthen the heart of your story. I’ll encourage you to deeply explore the things that make you passionate about your story and help you ensure that every aspect of its structure lines up with the experience and message you’re burning to share. My commentary offers suggestions for revision, but also asks questions to help you discover your own solutions and insights. I won’t hesitate to let you know what needs to change, but what I want most is to help you develop your skills so you can take control of your revision process, focus your vision for your story, and share your work with confidence.

For a detailed look at the storytelling issues I focus on, you can download my Developmental Critique Checklist.

I offer two levels of developmental critique:

Basic Evaluation

A quick and cost-effective evaluation that identifies your story’s strongest elements and biggest structural problems, giving you an action plan for revising your manuscript and bringing focus to the heart of your story. I will also include a brief overview of frequent prose issues.

A basic evaluation is a great way to get your bearings early in the revision process. If you’re considering booking a full manuscript edit for the first time, I highly recommend an evaluation as a first step. This will tell you whether your manuscript is ready for a full edit and give you a roadmap for bringing it to that stage.

You’ll receive:

• 6 single-spaced pages of analysis 
• A 30 minute follow-up discussion via video or phone call

Rates:

$0.003 USD ($0.004 CAD) per word, minimum $100 (This is equivalent to $300 USD for 100,000 words.)

You have the option to limit the number of pages of feedback at a discount of $20 USD per page (3 pages of analysis = $60 off). 

NOTE: If we decide to work together on a full edit of the same manuscript, the cost of the basic evaluation will be deducted from the price.

Comprehensive Critique

A thorough analysis of your manuscript’s structure, covering the details of characterization, plot, thematic arcs, dialogue, and setting. I will offer specific recommendations on how to solve story problems and help you make sure every element of your story’s content captures the reader’s interest, fits into the big picture, and supports the heart of the novel.

You’ll receive:

• Detailed commentary in the margins of your manuscript with practical suggestions for revisions and brainstorming questions to prompt further exploration
• An overview of your strongest skills and most frequent storytelling errors
• An hour-long follow-up discussion via video or phone call (additional sessions can be purchased at coaching rates.)

Rates:

$0.01-0.02 USD ($0.014-$0.027 CAD) per word depending on the degree of work needed. (This this is equivalent to $1.000-$2,000 USD for 100,000 words—half the standard rate for this type of editing.)

If you’d like to get a feel for whether my services might be a good fit for you, contact me for a free sample edit of your manuscript’s first 500 words.