Manuscript Critique

I hold a BA and an MFA in creative writing, and for a while I was also the organizer of the Denver Writers’ Workshop, an independent, biweekly writers’ group. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in writing workshops, but more importantly, every hour I spent in a workshop was preceded by two or three hours attentively reading and considering my colleagues’ work. All of this has been time well spent—I’ve learned how to give thoughtful, in-depth, and solution-focused critiques. I’m also the managing editor of StoryQuarterly, an established literary journal, and this work has given me additional insight into what makes a good story tick.

I’ve worked with many different styles and genres of fiction, ranging from fantasy to mystery to sci-fi to literary fiction, and I’ve also done some work with creative nonfiction. I offer a few different packages and can also readily tailor my critique work to fit your project’s needs.

Novel critique: $400

A good option for early-stage manuscripts, for projects that are getting feedback from multiple sources (e.g., beta readers, other editors), or for writers on a budget.
Thorough feedback letter (750-1,200 words) discussing what about the story is working well and what can use improvement. This feedback letter is on the level of what students in an MFA thesis workshop might expect to receive from their peers.
Light markup with marginal comments on the manuscript (at least 8-12 comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.
If you have any specific questions/concerns about your manuscript, let me know before I start reading and I’d be happy to address them in my feedback.

Intensive novel critique: $750

Intensive feedback letter (1,200-2,000 words) about what I think is working well and what can use improvement. The feedback letter covers at least three major aspects of the story: plot/structure, character, and style. It will likely also touch on point of view and thematics.
Marginal comments on the manuscript (30+ comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.
The main difference between the regular and the intensive manuscript critique is level of detail. An intensive critique digs deeper, and my feedback and comments get into developmental editing territory. This means that the intensive critique is often better for projects that are already established and somewhere in the middle of the writing process. Another difference is time: for an intensive critique, I’m likely to spend 18-20+ hours on the manuscript.
If you have any specific questions/concerns about your manuscript, let me know before I start reading and I’d be happy to address them in my feedback.
Follow-up one-hour phone call after you’ve reviewed my feedback.

Short story or creative nonfiction essay critique: $150

Written feedback (400+ words) discussing what about the story or essay is working well and what can use improvement. This feedback is on the level of what students in an MFA workshop might expect to receive from their peers.
Marginal comments on the manuscript (10+ comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.
Pricing based on average story/essay length of 3,000-6,500 words.

A la carte phone call to discuss your work: $60/hour

A few notes on manuscript critique:

Novel critique pricing is based on manuscripts under 100,000 words. I can adjust my pricing for longer manuscripts and for short novels/novellas (about 55,000 words or under). Turnaround time is generally around 4-6 weeks for a full critique, 3-4 weeks for a light critique, and 2-3 weeks for a short story.

Manuscript critiques do not include copyediting, line editing, or proofreading for errors. If you would like those services, I can add them as a separate project at a discounted rate.

If I provide you with a critique, you revise your story in response to my feedback, and you would like me to take a second look at the story, I will offer a reduced rate for the second-round critique.

Though I wish I could, I’m unable to promise that my clients will end up on a bestseller list or land the publication contract or MFA program acceptance of their choice. I cannot offer connections to agents or publishers, and I am not the best person to talk to about marketability or marketing. What I can promise is that I will do my best to help you bring out the full potential in your story.

Please feel free to contact me about your work-in-progress.

Stephanie Manuzak is an editor of the highest caliber. She provided copy editing plus manuscript critique for two of my novels, which subsequently sold to a traditional publisher. Her insights into story structure and writing craft are gentle, honest, and right on target. Her technical knowledge and eye for detail are superb.
—Jennifer Kincheloe, Colorado Gold Award winner, Mystery and Mayhem Award winner, author of THE SECRET LIFE OF ANNA BLANC, THE WOMAN IN THE CAMPHOR TRUNK, and THE BODY IN GRIFFITH PARK.

I’ve worked with many different styles and genres of fiction, ranging from fantasy to mystery to sci-fi to literary fiction, and I’ve also done some work with creative nonfiction. I offer a few different packages and can also readily tailor my critique work to fit your project’s needs.

Novel critique: $400

A good option for early-stage manuscripts, for projects that are getting feedback from multiple sources (e.g., beta readers, other editors), or for writers on a budget.

Thorough feedback letter (750-1,200 words) discussing what about the story is working well and what can use improvement. This feedback letter is on the level of what students in an MFA thesis workshop might expect to receive from their peers.

Light markup with marginal comments on the manuscript (at least 8-12 comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.

If you have any specific questions/concerns about your manuscript, let me know before I start reading and I’d be happy to address them in my feedback.

Intensive novel critique: $750

Intensive feedback letter (1,200-2,000 words) about what I think is working well and what can use improvement. The feedback letter covers at least three major aspects of the story: plot/structure, character, and style. It will likely also touch on point of view and thematics.

Marginal comments on the manuscript (30+ comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.

If you have any specific questions/concerns about your manuscript, let me know before I start reading and I’d be happy to address them in my feedback.

Follow-up one-hour phone call after you’ve reviewed my feedback.

Short story or creative nonfiction essay critique: $150

Written feedback (400+ words) discussing what about the story or essay is working well and what can use improvement. This feedback is on the level of what students in an MFA workshop might expect to receive from their peers.

Marginal comments on the manuscript (10+ comments) connected to my written feedback or pointing out other developmental, continuity, or stylistic issues.

Pricing based on average story/essay length of 3,000-6,500 words.

A la carte phone call to discuss your work: $60/hour

A few notes on manuscript critique:

Manuscript critiques do not include copyediting, line editing, or proofreading for errors. If you would like those services, I can add them as a separate project at a discounted rate.

If I provide you with a critique, you revise your story in response to my feedback, and you would like me to take a second look at the story, I will offer a reduced rate for the second-round critique.

Please feel free to contact me about your work-in-progress.