* Constructive feedback
* Big picture view of development
* Expert opinion on marketability
* £4 ($6.50) p/1,000 words

A second opinion either allows you, in agreeing or disagreeing, to reinforce your own view, or offers a new, inspiring one.

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Charlie's detailed guidance on writing a book that has a decent chance of getting published and selling. Details on the Books page.

I couldn't imagine finding anyone more helpful, supportive, or nice to work with. I never would have made it this far without your guidance!

Erin Hughes, author

Book critique example.

BOOK CRITIQUE

You've written a book. Congratulations! But now what will you do?

• a) Shove it in a drawer and spend the next few years telling people wistfully 'I wrote a book once, you know...'?
• b) Convince yourself it's the next Harry Potter and send it priority mail to every publishing house in the country?
• c) Develop your book further and discover whether it really is the next Harry Potter or is best left in the drawer?
• 
  If you chose the third option then you've come to the right place. The Book Specialist editors are well equipped to assess manuscripts – to see what's working, and what could be improved, and to take a view on publishing potential. Our book critique service helps authors develop their writing and gain realistic feedback on their manuscript to inform their next steps.
• HONEST FEEDBACK A book critique (also known as a manuscript critique or manuscript assessment) reviews the big picture of your book, looking at elements such as structure, writing style and content. As an author, you're too close to your book to spot most problems, weaknesses and inconsistencies, but a professional book critique helps you address issues, further develop your book and get a better idea of its suitability for publication.

The editor's role is not to criticise and knock an author's confidence, but to offer constructive feedback. The editor is sensitive in their approach, but always honest (there's no point commissioning a book critique unless you want the truth), and makes a point of telling authors what's good in their writing as well as where they can develop.

While accepting constructive feedback is difficult, it really does help you grow as a writer. A book critique is therefore an essential element of the book-writing process.

THE CRITIQUEThe comprehensive book critique is a document (usually between seven and ten pages in length) that summarises the editor's opinions on and recommendations for the book within certain areas: usually genre, audience, title, writing style, characterisation, setting, plot, structure and readiness for publication.

The comprehensive book critique is the industry standard manuscript appraisal. It gives you a clear picture of which areas you may want to develop and how you may take the book forward for publication. Sometimes a critique is abundantly positive, and the editor recommends, after a copy-edit, that an author submit the book to publishers and agents straight away; sometimes the editor tells an author that the book is unlikely to have a market, or has fatal flaws. Often, however, critiques fall somewhere in the middle, with commendations for good elements and recommendations for improving weaker areas.

Please note: The comprehensive book critique is an overview document. The critique is designed to look at the big picture; thus the critique does not drill down into the minutiae of the book, highlighting each small inconsistency, weakness and mistake. If you want a more fine-tooth-comb appraisal, take a look at the development editing and intelligent copy-editing services.

SAMPLE CRITIQUE To get a feel for The Book Specialist critique, take a look at the book critique example.

BOOK CRITIQUE TERMS A comprehensive book critique costs £4 ($6.50) per 1,000 words for books of 50,000 words or more. For shorter books, please get in touch for a tailored quote.

The standard turnaround is four weeks, depending on the length of the book. We offer an express service, for an increased fee, if required.