Critiquing
Critiquing is the most advanced level of revision carried out on books and fiction novels. A full critique will encompass the creative side of your work, ensuring the plot flows well, the characters are well-formed and that the book works on a literary level.
What types of text do you critique?
The critiquing service is far more effective for fiction pieces, but can be used on any type of text. I regularly critique books, novels and other works of fiction.
Why does my book or novel need critiquing?
As a writer, this can often be the hardest pill to swallow. You've put all of your time and emotion into your book and now you're letting someone pull it to pieces and judge it as a literary work. The fact of the matter is that publishers want to ensure your work will sell. If it contains plot holes, unresolved scenes, weak characters or poor direction, it will be rejected out-of-hand. The vast majority of publishers won't write back and tell you what they didn't like; you'll just get a 'rejected' stamp, if anything at all.
Through the critiquing service, I will review your work in great detail using my literary eye. Knowing what works and what doesn't work in terms of the story itself is vital to ensuring your book has the best possible chance of publication.
How will this affect my story? Will I have to rewrite it?
Critiquing, etymologically, is perhaps too closely associated with 'critic'. Critiquing does not involve me ripping your book to pieces and telling you what doesn't work. Instead, I offer practical advice and ways in which the plot, characters and story development could be improved or tweaked in order to greatly improve your chances of publication.
How long does it take?
The critiquing process is fairly lengthy when compared to proofreading and editing. However, I can work to your own deadlines and time-frames so please do let me know if your work is urgent and I will ensure it is completed to suit your schedule.
How much does it cost?
Critiquing works quite differently to proofreading and editing. The book is read through as a whole at least a couple of times before I start to note down any weaknesses or recommended improvements. These are then provided to you in an email or telephone call where we can sit down and discuss the plot, characters and storyline from a professional standpoint and work together to ensure your work is ready for publication. Again, the cost will be different for every job and depends on the length and complexity of your work as well as the timeframe.
Please contact me for a quotation.