Critique and Editing Services

Young Adult Fiction, Adult Literary Fiction, Upper Middle-Grade Fiction, Memoir, Narrative Non-Fiction

I offer full-manuscript critiques that consist of detailed margin comments throughout the manuscript and an in-depth edit letter with recommendations on how to approach revision. This critique focuses on big-picture issues like structure, plot, character, voice, and theme—the bones of your story. What matters to me as an editor is that you find the ways to tell the story you want to tell, the way you want to tell it, using your own unique voice. How can you best fulfill the intentions of your piece? What tools do you need to accomplish this?

Before paying for professional editing services, I strongly suggest having already completed a few revisions. Ask several people to read drafts of your manuscript and give thorough and thoughtful feedback. This might mean critique partners, fellow writers, or other beta readers who you trust to be honest and give constructive criticism, not just supportive praise. Praise is great for boosting our confidence, but it does not necessarily challenge us to grow as writers. Most of the time, family and friends are not the best folks for this job.

Before working together, I would want to read the first ten pages of your manuscript to make sure we’d be a good fit. When you feel your manuscript is ready for submission to agents, I will also be happy to critique your query letter.

If we decide what your manuscript needs is less developmental editing and more line editing, we can discuss how to proceed and adjust the fee accordingly. This is a collaborative process and we’ll work together to find what best works for us.

$1200 for up to 80,000 words. $40 for every 5,000 words thereafter. Contact me

Topics of Expertise: Addiction/Alcoholism and Recovery; Sexual Trauma and Recovery; Mental Illness (Depression, Anxiety, Panic Disorder, PTSD) and Recovery; Cis Female Bisexuality/Pansexuality; Western/American Buddhism (Theravada Lineage)

The role of a sensitivity reader is to point out any cultural insensitivities, biases, stereotypes, representation issues, and problematic language in your manuscript. Sensitivity readers have specific areas of expertise and experience that give them a deep personal understanding of certain issues, but it is important to remember that their review is only one person’s opinion. No one person can speak for the experiences of an entire group, and simply using the services of a sensitivity reader does not give an author instant credibility or a “rubber stamp” when writing about diverse topics outside their experience. It is great to want to write diverse and inclusive stories, but it is important to ask yourself why you are doing it. If it is your intention to reflect the diversity of your characters’ world authentically, responsibly, and with respect, then you are heading in the right direction.

$500 for full manuscript sensitivity critique, including margin notes where needed and an in-depth edit letter. Contact me

Please visit amyreededitorial.com for information about my non-fiction editing services.