query Letter Critique

As an agented author, I’ve written many, many query letters and received important and helpful feedback on my early drafts from writing professionals. I’m happy to be in a position to pass what I’ve learned along to aspiring writers. Fiction and nonfiction services are available. $100 for three rounds of unlimited editing. $35 for one pass.

proposal feedback

As an editor for a book series at the University of West Virginia Press, an author of five non-fiction books, and an academic reviewer, I have more than twenty years of professional experience with non-fiction research and writing proposals. $250 for developmental editing, which includes two passes of line editing and written feedback.

Other services

The first chapter of any project, fiction or nonfiction, is key to selling the project. Crucial to the introduction of any book is a “hook” that grabs the reader and tells them what they will learn or experience while reading your book. “Voice” is also a key and difficult process to master in those crucial first pages. $200 for review and detailed written feedback on hook, voice, and more, of up to 10,000 words.

Once drafted, most manuscripts benefit from professional editing before submission. A full manuscript critique includes an editorial letter, two phone/zoom consultations, and in-text comments/line edits, at $12/1000 words.

For fiction, I also offer sensitivity reading for horse and farm-related subjects at $250/manuscript.

Testimonials:

From @thewritingann: “I connected with Amy through Threads and she graciously agreed to read my manuscript, a story that largely takes place on a farm, and give feedback on my depictions of horses. She surpassed my expectations! Her comments were not just corrective, but also educational. Her help was invaluable in the next round of revisions on this book. I highly recommend working with Amy!”

From Blake: Amy has been a thoughtful editor and wise critic of my efforts to write fiction, especially concerning POV and description. I have published three non-fiction books and dozens of articles and essays, but writing a novel for the first time is a very different experience. With Amy’s guidance, though, I’m finding my voice in fiction too. Thank you!

From Annie: I've known and admired Amy's academic work for decades. As I now venture into the creative writing world, Amy's continued to be a source of inspiration. She's read and evaluated my prose with the careful eye of an academic but with the grace and insight of a writer who can reach audiences far beyond the ivory tower. We worked on my manuscript that includes multiple POVs, ekphrastic short stories, and narrative nonfiction, all the while blending social theory and criticism meant to engage a wide-ranging audience. She helped identify the themes of my project, where I strayed from them, and how to weave them throughout the manuscript in a more impactful way. I am deeply grateful to work with such a wise editor.