Greetings!

Welcome to the manuscript critique page!
Here's the scoop...

SERVICES:
I can provide you with a two page report (sometimes longer, depending on the work) outlining areas that need improvement and offering my suggestions for strengthening your book. Reports generally comment on all of the basics -- plot, voice, characters, setting, pacing, consistency and writing style.

In addition, I also write comments directly on the pages as I read. These range from line or word deletions, to thoughts relating to the larger themes that will appear in the report. I find that the two work well together, each further illuminating the other.

WHAT I WILL WORK WITH:
I only critique complete novels. Unfortunately, I don't have time to critique partials, picture books, novellas, scripts, or short stories.

I will read novels for any age and in any genre. Even though I write for children, I wrote reports on adult novels in all genres during my time at Curtis Brown, Ltd.

REQUIREMENTS:
All manuscripts must be double spaced. Top and bottom of page 1" margin, left and right 1.25" margin. Font should be Times New Roman 12pt.

FEES:
I charge $1.25/per page, plus a $10 fee for return postage.
There is a $100 minimum for manuscripts under 100 pages.

SCHEDULING:
Since I am often working on deadline, I can only fit in manuscript critiques after I've turned my own book in to my editor.

If you are interested in a critique you should e-mail me. As soon as I have a time slot available I will let you know and you can send me your manuscript. I realize this requires a bit of flexibility, but the flip side is, I generally read and respond to material very quickly once I receive it.

WHAT I CAN NOT DO:
My comments on your manuscript, even if I offer rave reviews, can in no way serve as an advance blurb for your work or a recommendation from me to a potential editor or agent. Although I would love to help everyone out, my name would quickly lose its value if everyone I critiqued had an automatic blurb from KL Going. Sorry!

WHAT I CAN DO:
I honestly believe I can help you improve your work. Every writer at every level can benefit from honest, thorough feedback. Finding readers who are knowledgeable and can articulate their thoughts is often a difficult task. I can offer you my experience as a published author, as someone who worked in publishing, and as a bookseller.

Contact KL

Feedback!

"The amount of time and care KL put into reading my work was amazing. What an honor to have someone of her caliber critiquing my work! Her global comments were both constructive and encouraging, and the fact that she  provided line by line edits truly blew me away. In many ways, KL finally helped me to flesh out with specifics, the general problems I understood to exist but didn't have the skill to fix on my own. She certainly got me excited about my writing again."

Gae H. Polisner

"KL's insightful comments, revision ideas, and attention to details were helpful in pulling my manuscript together. Her critique pointed out both the strengths and weaknesses in my project. I would definitely use this service again with future manuscripts."

- S. Daley