Manuscript Critiques/Feedback

"What's your secret?"

I often get a lot of emails asking "What's your secret?" "How did you get into Publisher 'A' ?" (fill in the blanks) "What's your short cut?"

Sorry - there is no shortcut, no marked road to follow - just a lot of work writing in solitude, many rejections, and an investment in time and dollars spent educating yourself through books, conferences, and local writing groups. It took me three years of learning the ropes and being flexible to get my first contract (working at it full-time). Some can do it in less time, But many still aren't published after 5+ years. The market is very discerning and let's face it - most legitimate publishers are not vanity presses. Editors have sales targets and profit goals they need to meet and are only buying works that consumers are willing to purchase. You may love your story - but if no consumer will buy it, you still have a lovely story - just not a commercially viable one.

Also, a rejection from one editor is not the end of the world. Sometimes you have to find the "right" editor. But if you continually get rejections with no favorable comments it might be time to ask an expert to take a look at it and help you smooth out the rough spots.

For those of you looking for feedback, you can drastically cut down on the time it takes to craft a submittable piece if you get feedback from someone who has been in the business for a while.

Frequently asked questions: Can I read your manuscript? Will I mentor you?

Unfortunately, in order to focus on my writing career and to devote time to my writing partners, I can't read manuscripts from new writers so please don't ask. I get many requests per month that I'm forced to turn down.

Here's several critique services run by editors I like and admire (and who are popular with other writers in the children's market). You can't go wrong with these individuals. I've worked with each one professionally and can personally vouch for the quality of their work:

Click here to go to F1rst Pages, LLC

F1rst Pages, LLC

A brand new service started by Eileen Robinson, former editor at Scholastic's Children's Press/Grolier division. One of the finest in the business and she has enlisted the aid of a number of editors to provide input on your project. Most editors can tell if an author can handle the subject and material within the first page. With 10,000 manuscripts sitting in the mailroom, editors often don't have time to read more. So your first page can make or break you. This service takes a look to see if what you've developed makes an editor want to turn the page. Does your work leave an editor wanting more?

Also available at the site: First chapters - a critique of your first chapter and one-page synopsis.

(note the "i" in F1rst Pages is actually the number "one" (1))

Click here to go to Paula's website:

Paula Morrow,

Formerly an Executive Editor at Cricket Magazine for more than 11 years, and an instructor for Institute of Children's Literature, Paula is one of the best in the business. Her thoughtful critiques have helped countless writers and, most recently, lead to a local KC writer gaining her first publishing contract.

Click here to go to Judy's website

Judy O'Malley,

Formerly an Executive Editor at Charlesbridge Publishing, Judy developed and edited transitional books including early readers, chapter books, and early middle grade books. Judy was also Editorial Director at Houghton Mifflin, and an editor at Cricket Books.

Judy has worked with well-known authors and illustrators such as Jane Yolen, Avi, Katherine Paterson, Nikki Grimes Robert D. San Souci and many more.