Critique Consultation Services
One of the toughest aspects of producing great stories (besides
all the sleepless, anxiety-riddled months spent crafting the darn things) is
finding a good first reader. I don't mean Mom -- who will defend your work as
brilliant like a pit bull defends its raw-hides. And I don't mean your best
friend -- who swears a monthly oath, he'll get to it as soon as things calm
down at work or at home.
A good first reader is one who will promptly read and critically
evaluate the entire manuscript. One who will identify the trouble-spots:
quicksand exposition zones, Gordian plot-knots, and crumbling character arcs.
One who will throw spotlights on the hidden gems and help you tease out the
scintillating truths, themes, and genuine, rock-solid story you've been trying to tell.
And telling that story in its most rock-solid, polished-gem form
is how you delight fans. It is also a key factor in landing an agent or securing a publisher for your work.
I am available to be that first reader for my fellow writers.
Heck, I'm available to be your second and third reader, too. I am trained and
proficient in fiction, nonfiction, and genres (fantasy, noir, Gothic, romance,
etc.). I am comfortable with work intended for readers of any age, though my
specialty is in writing for children and young adults. I've honed these skills training with and learning from amazing, award-winning authors like Mark Karlins, Julie Larios, Bonnie Christensen, Coe Booth, Tom Birdseye, Martine Leavitt, M. T. Anderson, and Rita Williams-Garcia, to name only a few.
I'll provide a substantial and detailed written critique (10-15 pages) assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your manuscript on elements like plot, theme, character, point of view, setting, structure, and more. I'll evaluate what works, what doesn't work, and I'll make suggestions for how to make it all work (which may include writing exercises, recommended reading, or other inventive approaches to help you render the most out of your storytelling on the page).
If you are in need of a manuscript critique, contact me: jen.michelle.mason (at) gmail (dot) com. I'd be delighted to help you polish your novel or novella.
My fees for evaluation and feedback are:
$2.00/page for manuscripts
$1.50/page for manuscript proposals
Need help with a snagged short story, or the opening chapter of a not-sure-where-this-is-going-novel? Contact me to discuss an appropriate rate for your assessment needs.
I am currently running a 30% discount for
NaNoWriMo Winners!
