The Bay Area Book Doctor offers several manuscript evaluation and critique services to fit different needs and budgets–from an exhaustive critique to a “first 50 pages” package. Page count is based on manuscript format: double-space your work in a 12 point font with margins of 1″ to 1.25″ on all sides.
Written critique of the first 50 pages of your manuscript
Are your opening chapters doing everything they should to engage the reader, introduce characters and conflict, establish setting, tone, and point of view, and move the story forward?
Does the pacing lag at any point in the first 50 pages?
Do the opening chapters make it clear why this particular story is being told at this particular time, from this unique perspective?
In other words, have you given the agent, editor, or reader-at-large every reason to keep reading and ask for more?
If you’re in the early stages of your novel, or you are preparing to send your sample out to agents or use it for fellowship and residency applications, this package is for you.
If you purchase the First 50 Pages critique and later decide to purchase a complete manuscript evaluation, a $149 credit will be applied to Package Two or Three.
$249
BETTER BOOK PACKAGE
Initial phone consultation
Comprehensive written critique of your manuscript, addressing
plot
characterization
tone
point of view
structure
theme
writing style
and anything else that is relevant to your book
Phone, video, or in-person consultation to discuss the critique
Written critique of your manuscript, addressing plot, characterization, tone, point of view, structure, theme, writing style, and anything else that is relevant to your book
Phone, video, or in-person consultation to discuss the critique
Written evaluation of your revision
Phone, video, or in-person consultation to discuss revision
Please tell me a little bit about your book, and paste the first 5 pages or a representative sample of up to 1200 words in the appropriate text box.
Michelle helped me enormously with my novel. She’s kind and generous, but she’s also a tough critic. By seeing things that I could not, she gave me big-picture notes on plot, character, point-of-view, and dialogue. On my manuscript, she marked where the problems were and then wrote out solutions. She also tried to make sure that the book stayed mine. She never imposed her personal style but wanted me to find my own. I cannot recommend Michelle enough. She is a wonder!
~Jennifer Paddock, author of the forthcoming novel The Weight of Memory
Please note: Packages 2 – 3 are for a manuscript of up to 325 pages (double-spaced on one side of page, 12 pt. font or larger, at least 1 inch margins).
Manuscript Consultation
$249
$1450
Check availability.
$2450
Check availability.
~Jennifer Paddock, author of the forthcoming novel The Weight of Memory