A written review and analysis of your manuscript identifies any problems, weaknesses, and inconsistencies in content, structure, and style. An evaluation tends to be shorter and more general, while a critique is usually more detailed and specifies what works on the page and what doesn’t, recommends steps to fix it, and offers detailed suggestions for revisions, focusing on narrative and prose, theme, organization, pacing, clarity, voice, and point of view. If the manuscript is fiction or memoir, the critique also considers conflict, tension, character development, dialogue, plot, and scene development.
As a specialized form of a manuscript critique, sensitivity reading helps to bring out the authenticity around marginalized voices by helping authors provide diverse perspectives and stories of inclusion. Sensitivity readers can give you a clear understanding of whether your writing perpetuates oppressive beliefs toward marginalized people. We collaborate with the author ahead of time to understand the focus of the sensitivity concerns, in addition to giving a balanced evaluation of your overall work. Arrangements can also be made for consultations before you begin writing to ensure your book is free of bias before it’s too late to change it.
Sharon Goldinger
Content editing, copyediting, proofreading, production management, book shepherding, and publishing consulting for nonfiction trade books, including business, health, self-help, and legal. We also edit websites, blogs, and marketing materials.
Read moreNomi Isak
Writer, coach, and developmental editor, Nomi specializes in collaboration and ghostwriting, as well as guiding authors through the process of writing their own books. Services include manuscript critiques for both fiction and nonfiction, and proposal and web content development.
Read moreAmy Friedman
Amy Friedman has written, ghostwritten, and edited dozens of memoirs and creative nonfiction works. She has published thousands of essays and stories and writes the internationally syndicated newspaper feature Tell Me a Story.
Read moreLesley Hyatt
Specializing in collaborative coaching for writers across genres who seek support in moving forward and completing their work: adult literary and commercial fiction; youth market (young adult; middle grade; picture book); literary and commercial nonfiction related to education, parenting, marriage, divorce, spirituality/religion, mindfulness and wellness.
Read moreMerrill Feitell
Award-winning author of literary fiction with extensive branding and advertising background and a decade of teaching creative writing at graduate and undergraduate levels, Merrill has helped hundreds of writers develop material and prime manuscripts for publication.
Read moreTricia Nelson
Writer, editor, copyeditor, web producer, sensitivity reader. Journalism background; marketing and branding expertise.
Read moreAntoinette Scully
Editor, writer, and speaker. Books and short-form web content. Sensitivity reader focused on racial and gender inclusion. Genre focus on speculative and science fiction, young adult, and children’s literature.
Read moreDeborah A. Lott, MFA
Writing, editing: psychology, psychiatry, public health, social science, medicine, particularly gastroenterology, internal medicine, and cardiology, memoir, autobiography and nonfiction narratives; research.
Read moreSuzanne Mantell
Editing and writing, books and articles. Narrative nonfiction. Memoir. Pop culture. High culture. Arts journalism. Profiles. Animals and people. Psychology. Literary fiction.
Read moreLori Kozlowski
Writer, journalist, editor, and digital media leader, Lori Kozlowski has edited dozens of writers and worked with several companies on content and digital strategy. Services: Novel and nonfiction manuscript editing, content strategy and development, web editing, and ghostwriting.
Read moreJenna Rose Robbins
Writer, editor, and web consultant with experience producing in-house editorial for such companies as AOL and Disney. Services include: Novel and manuscript editing, social media, content strategy, ghostwriting, web consulting.
Read moreBarbara DeSantis
Editor, writer, coach. Literary and commercial fiction, including young adult. Memoir and narrative nonfiction, self-help, spirituality. Developmental and line editing, ghostwriting. Manuscript critiques, book proposals, marketing materials. More than 25 years book-publishing experience.
Read moreMonica Faulkner
Editorial, project management, online marketing, and speaker support services for fiction and nonfiction authors; proposals; screenplays; business marketing materials (written and online).
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