Request a Picture Book Critique

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Thank you for trusting me with creative work! :) I'm excited to dig in.

Email *

Your name: *

I want to ensure I can do a great job on your critique (I'm better at some things than others!) and that we aren't accidentally writing a picture book with the same premise. (For example, while everyone's story is different, neither of us wants me to critique a story about a trio of raccoons who disguise themselves in a trench coat.)

Please share a very brief story pitch here so I can do my most wholehearted work for you. Thank you!

Do you solemnly pinky swear: *

Your picture book manuscript is under 750 words (excepting art notes or back matter)

You are okay with me only making general notes about back matter or rhyming meter (i.e. "the meter here is tripping me up" vs. <puts on monocle> "Hmm, your iamb seems more like trochee here!")

You have read the "cannot/will not" and "will happily" lists on elaynecrain.com/paid-critiques

You will Marie Kondo any/all feedback, and only keep what sparks joy!

Required

Great! What service are you interested in? *

$50 - "The Big Picture": This is a slightly less in-depth version of my full picture book critique, but don't let that fool you as to its value. It's a great option for anyone who feels stuck or unsure about sellability, or who wants to get some help thinking through the most crucial aspects of any picture book: the concept/premise, basic structure, character cast and/or development, POV...aka, the bigger picture stuff. You can expect a page of feedback with this option, written as a Word .doc response to my reading(s) and highlighting any big-picture missed opportunities I identify.

$75 - "The Deep Dive": For this option, I will use Word to make in-line comments directly on your manuscript; these suggestions may include (but are not limited to) clarifications you might consider, words you might cut, questions a reader might have, grammar, wordplay or humor suggestions, and more. It's basically The Big Picture plus a marked-up manuscript. You can expect a page of "big picture" feedback with this option, plus your manuscript with in-line comments (varies, but I always err on the side of sharing too many rather than too few).

$50 - "The Coffee Chat": This is a 30 min. Zoom-or-Google Meetups-only version of a chat, which we can record or not (depending on your preference; recorded sessions run an additional $10). This is an excellent option for those who may want to talk through a new version of a previously critiqued manuscript, who want just my first impressions of your read-aloud (by you) manuscript, or who have kidlit-related questions or concerns (which I will do my very best to answer in the time we have). We can talk publishing, career, agent querying (in general), or whatever else you would like about the picture book industry.

Would you like any additional services? *

Yes, please add a 15 min. follow-up Coffee Chat to either The Big Picture or The Deep Dive for $25

Yes, please add an emailed Zoom recording of any Coffee Chat for $10

No additional services, thanks.

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A copy of your responses will be emailed to the address you provided.

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