Novel Critiques

The novel critique is a detailed analysis of your novel, looking at character, dialogue, description, story, and other issues. It includes both a critique report and manuscript annotations throughout the text itself.

It’s these annotations that make our service special: while the report provides a useful summary, the annotations are like having somebody sit down beside you and go through every page of your novel, showing you exactly what works and what doesn’t.

Think of the critique as a concentrated writing course, based around your novel. When we identify weaknesses or problem areas, we use them as an opportunity to suggest improvements not only for this particular book, but for all your writing.

The critique report

The novel critique report looks at a range of factors, including your characters, dialogue, themes, plotting, and style. It concludes with a list of work points to help you as you embark on the next draft of your novel. The length of the report varies, but it’s usually between seven and ten pages. It’s always written specifically for you: we don’t include copy-and-paste material in our critiques.

The manuscript annotations

In addition to the report, our novel critiques feature annotations throughout the manuscript. We’ll show you where you may need to be telling us more (or less!) about a character, where the plot’s going off course, how you could tighten up your dialogue, and highlight lots of other issues in your writing. Although the critiques don’t include full copy editing, we will also highlight some of your typos and mistakes in spelling, grammar and punctuation—and provide further explanations in the report.

The exact number of annotations varies, but there’s usually one or more on almost every page. It’s pretty thorough.

After the critique

You’ll receive your completed critique report and annotated manuscript by email. If you have any questions about the comments, or would like any clarifications, you’re always welcome to email us.

Free sample edit

We offer a free five-page sample edit so that you can decide whether our critiquing service is right for you. Read more about the sample edit.

Pricing and ordering information

All novel critique prices include both the report and the manuscript annotations. We do everything using MS Word and email, so there's no need to print long manuscripts or go to the post office.

UK:

A single manuscript of up to 70,000 words costs £350.
70,001-100,000 words: £500.
100,000+ words: £5 per 1,000 words.

USA:

A single manuscript of up to 70,000 words costs $600.
70,001-100,000 words: $850.
100,000+ words: $8.50 per 1,000 words.

(If you're on a tight budget, take a look at our novel opening critique. Or, for much shorter manuscripts, read about our short story critiques.)

To book, or for more information, simply get in touch.

editing

The Fiction Desk