About this service
We critique picture book manuscripts with the read-aloud in mind: is the text short enough for the age group, does each spread give the illustrator something to show, do page turns create surprise, and does the child, not an adult, solve the problem? For rhyming texts we check meter and forced rhymes line by line. You also get advice on art notes, which should be few and only where the text cannot work without them.
What is included
- What you getA written critique of each manuscript: read-aloud rhythm, story arc, page-turn and spread suggestions, art note advice and a revision plan. Premium adds line edits of the full text.
- Read-aloud rhythmSound, repetition and meter
- Page turns and spreadsA suggested breakdown into spreads
- Child-centered storyThe child drives the solution
- Word count for the ageWhere to cut for picture book length
- Art note adviceWhich to keep and which to drop
How it works
- 1BriefYou send the manuscript and age group
- 2Reading and critiqueWe read aloud-style and map the spreads
- 3DeliveryYou get the critique and revision plan
What we need from you
The full manuscript text with any art notes, the age group and whether you plan to submit to agents or self-publish.
We will ask you:
- What age group is the book for?
- Is the text in rhyme or prose?
- Do you plan to submit to agents or self-publish?
- What worries you most?
Compare packages
| Packages | Basic1 manuscript critique$15 | StandardUp to 2 manuscripts with spreads$29 | PremiumUp to 4 manuscripts with line edits$55 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 2 days | 3 days | 5 days |
| Revisions | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Manuscripts | 1 | up to 2 | up to 4 |
| Length per manuscript | up to 1,000 words | up to 1,000 words | up to 1,000 words |
| Spread breakdown | No | Yes | Yes |
| Line edits | No | No | Yes |
| Order Basic | Order Standard | Order Premium |
Payment protection
You pay when you order, but the money is released only for accepted work.
- Fixed priceThe package price does not change after you pay.
- The money is reservedWhen you pay, the amount is only reserved. It is released to the service once you accept the work.
- Checked before deliveryEvery result goes through a quality check before it reaches you, and you see it on the order page before accepting it.
- Free revisionsAsk for changes within your brief as many times as the package allows.
- Acceptance after 3 daysIf within 3 days of delivery you neither accept the work nor ask for changes, it is accepted automatically. If you write in the order chat after delivery, the order waits; once we answer, we may start the 3 days again and will say so in the chat.
- Redo or a full refundIf the result does not match your brief and the revisions did not fix it, or the work takes more than twice its deadline, write in the order chat: we will redo the work or refund the payment in full.
Questions and answers
Do you illustrate the book?
No, this is a critique of the text. Illustrations are a separate service.
My text is 1,500 words. Is that too long?
For most picture books, yes; many publishers look for under 600 to 800 words. We show where to cut.
Is my manuscript kept private?
Yes. Your text is used only for your order.