professional manuscript critiques

I have been part of a successul multi-published critique for more than 20 years. I am also a Robert F. Sibert Honor recipient for my nonfiction middle-grade title Sea Otter Heroes. Additional awards include:

• starred reviews
• Green Earth Book Awards
• Outstanding Science Trade Book, NSTA
• Eureka! Gold Awards, California Reading Association
• Parents’ Choice Award
• several Junior Library Guild selections
• several Bank Street College’s Best Books lists

You may also be interested in some articles I’ve written about the writing process:

• Proposal writing
• My typical process
• Nonfiction authors dig deep

I will give you a fair, honest, and constructive evaluation of whether your idea is marketable and how well you execute that idea. My critique will point out what you are doing well and what needs improvement.

All critiques will be electronic and will include a detailed editorial letter, plus specific comments/line edits using the Track Changes feature of Microsoft Word.

Manuscripts up to 1,000 words – $150

Manuscripts up to 1,500 words – $200

Manuscripts up to 3,000 words – $300

Manuscripts up to 6,000 words – $600

1. Email me at newmanbooks [at] live [dot] com with your name and the title of your manuscript in the subject line, e.g. NEWMAN_TITLE-HERE. In the message body, include a brief synopsis of your book and the number of words.
2. I will reply with my availablilty and a payment link.
3. If the availability works for you, click the link to pay for the critique, then reply to my email and attach your manuscript.

Manuscript formatting notesc — All manuscripts must:

• be Microsoft Word documents
• have 1″ margins
• be double-spaced
• use Times New Roman 12-point type (sidebars may be in a differnt typeface)
• have the title on page 1 half-way down the page in ALL CAPS