As a published writer and long time member of several critique groups, I have critiqued literally hundreds of manuscripts. Many have gone on to publication. I have also served for 3 years critiquing creative writing manuscripts of junior high and high school students for a Teen Arts Festival. Although I specialize in children's literature, I provide critique services to writers of both children's and adult's literature, including poetry.
Critique services provided at the following rates:
Minimum charge is $75 for a manuscript of up to 5 double-spaced pages (maximum of 1400 words). Additional pages of the same manuscript (beyond five pages) are $10. This includes feedback on the following:
--Formatting: Is the manuscript formatted correctly for submission to a publisher?
--Choice of title: Is it catchy?
--Target age: Is the story appropriate for the stated target age and market?
--Length of work: Is it too long or too short? What, if anything, should be cut?
--Opening paragraph: Do you have a powerful, catchy opening that will hook the reader?
--Rhyme and meter (if applicable): Is the rhyme scheme and meter consistent?
--Do you "show" rather than "tell"?
--Dialogue: Is it believable? Are the characters' voices distinct? Is there a good balance between dialogue and action? Are dialogue tags used well?
--Character Development: Have you developed characters that the reader can care about and relate to? Are they interesting?
--Illustration considerations: Does the story lend itself to lively and interesting illustrations? Does the story give unnecessary details that can be shown instead in the illustrations?
--Conclusion: Is it satisfying and believable?
--Line by line comments within the text, including feedback about grammar, word choices, dialogue, sentence length, structure, and more.
Rhyming picture books add $15 (This does not apply if you are seeking general comments rather than an in-depth critique) This includes suggestions on rhymes, meter, syllables, and story development.
Second critique of the same manuscript is half the rate of the first critique, unless otherwise agreed.
Critique of a query letter is $15.
Manuscripts are submitted by email as an attachment.
Proper submission for a manuscript (for example, click here):
12 point font (Times New Roman or Arial)
One-inch margins all around
Name, address, email & phone in upper left corner (single spaced)
Word count in upper right corner
Title centered, halfway down the page.
Double space after title, then manuscript starts just beneath the title.
Double space manuscript
Each page, except for page one, should have a header which includes your name/ title/page number.
Payment by check, money order, or Paypal.
Email me for more information!
What her clients say:
- "I was very pleased with her honesty and professionalism. Her suggestions and positive attitude truly helped us make the appropriate changes for the future success our book." ~ Cathy Hamernik., Jamesville, NY
- "This is an excellent review. It’s what I was looking for! I am so excited!" ~ Yelitza Breen, Indianapolis, Ind.
- "Rachelle's professional critique and thorough suggestions were exactly what I needed for my manuscript. I am extremely pleased with the results." ~ Clare Salamida, Chappaqua, NY
- "Rachelle's editing skills have consistently provided the most in-depth and accurate analysis of writing I have ever seen. Her critiques are a laser guided sniper rifle with clear and concise explanations. Her comments will show you the most efficient path towards greatly improving your articles, stories and prose from raw concept to finished product." ~ David Granovsky, Philadelphia, PA (recommended on LinkedIn)
- "Rachelle will truly treat your project as if it is her own. Every time I worked with her I truly was amazed at the level of detail she brought to my project. She ferreted out things that I never in a million years would have thought of but made a difference in the final product. Her knowledge of the industry and her amazing talent at bringing out the very best in a MS makes her someone I plan to work with again and again." ~ Hugh Smith, Fords, NJ (recommended on LinkedIn)
- "I can highly recommend Rachelle for any editing project. She worked an absolute miracle on my children's picture book. I had been asked by an editor to revise my manuscript and send it back. I had done so myself but had doubts about it. That's when I went to Rachelle for her expertise. I could not be happier with the work she did for me." ~ Brian Humek, Ft.. Worth, TX (recommended on LinkedIn)
- "My manuscript is 100% better than it was before Rachelle critiqued it. Her attention to detail, ability to think outside the box, timeliness and gently honesty made improving my story a pleasure. I can't wait to hear her constructive suggestions for all my future manuscripts!" ~ Erin Northington, Korea (recommended on LinkedIn)
- "Rachelle has helped me whip the first pages of my YA fiction manuscript into much stronger and cleaner shape. After working on my story for almost three years, I was much too close to it to notice mistakes and inconsistencies anymore. Her professional critique pointed out what I overlooked for the hundredth time, when I thought it was as perfect as it could possible be. Far from it! Her critique is encouraging and eye-opening, and remember, the first five pages make or break your chance of hooking the reader." ~ Uta Burke (no relation), E.Brunswick, NJ (recommended on LinkedIn)
- “Rachelle critiqued the first two chapters of my novel. I knew they needed work but was I unable to look at the content objectively. Rachelle not only picked up on all the things that I knew were issues, but suggested simple steps on how to deal with these points until they no longer seemed an unsurmountable. Rachelle approached the project with such knowledge and depth that I would not hesitate in recommending her to anyone looking for an expert in this field.” ~ Diane Hall, U.K. (recommended onLinkedIn)
RACHELLE'S PUBLICATIONS
- TREE HOUSE IN A STORM: (Children's Fiction Book, Stemmer House Publishers, 2009)
- Blind Ambition (nonfiction, Highlights Magazine, Jan. 2009). AWARDED "AUTHOR OF THE MONTH" by Highlights for this story.
- The Write Stuff (monthly column: Kidsville News/Middlesex)
- The Holiday House (fiction, Highlights Magazine-TBA)
- Mismatched Socks (poem, Pockets Magazine, Jan/Feb 2008)
- The Come Back (fiction, Catholic Forester Mag., Spring 2008)
- The Ski's No Limit (nonfiction, Scholastic Scope, Jan. 2008)
- The Victory Coop (fiction, Highlights Magazine-TBA)
- From the Inside Out (Nonfiction science/nature, Birds and Blooms Mag., Sept. 2006)
- To Catch a Fairy (poem, Dragonfly Spirit e-zine, Sept. 2005)
- Michael's Dance (poem, Itty-Bits of Bliss poetry anthology, 2006)
- Not So Little (poem, InspiredMoms e-zine) 2006
