Manuscript critique

I also offer critique of fiction and poetry manuscripts on a limited basis. Because this type of work takes time away from my own creative writing, I reserve the right to refuse a project, and I will exercise my right to pickiness.

I am looking to work with high-quality literary fiction or mysteries and poetry. Romance, science fiction, westerns or erotica will not be considered.

Manuscript critique focuses on larger issues of strength and weakness, including an in-depth look at the book’s organization, language and logic, as well as character, line and other creative writing techniques. The type of comments you can expect will be similar to what I offer my creative writing students—deep and muscular editing that is designed to bring your manuscript closer to publishable quality. (Please note that I make no promises that your manuscript will be accepted for publication, nor will I help you place it.)

In general, the critiqued manuscript will not contain proofreading or copyediting marks. Rather, comments will be written on the document’s margins suggesting how passages or lines may be improved.

Also note that due to a conflict of interest, manuscripts that I have critiqued cannot be considered for review by me once they have been accepted for publication.

If you are still interested in seeing if your project will be a good fit with me, please contact me with a one to two page synopsis and a 10-page writing sample.