Greetings!

Welcome to the manuscript critique page!
Click here to read some feedback.
Now, 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 $1.75/per page, plus a $10 fee for return postage.

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!

"After finishing my upper middle-grade novel, I began querying agents. I received plenty of requests for the manuscript, but no offers of representation. The rejections were encouraging but not helpful in terms of revision, which is why I decided to get professional advice.

When K.L. Going asked me if there were any specific issues I'd like her to address, I wrote back, "What will give my story the oomph that will make an agent 'fall in love' with it?" Talk about a vague request! However, she didn't skirt my question. In her critique letter, Going asked so many provocative questions and made so many interesting suggestions, I began scribbling down thoughts immediately. But most of all, I appreciated the thinking she did on what could help my ms. toward a sale. She pointed out that it's always the characters that make readers fall in love with a book -- especially characters with darkness at the edges of their personalities. Her input gave me a clear understanding of what I needed to focus on in my next revision.

The changes I made to my story were subtle and yet clearly effective. Within a month of sending out the new version, four agents offered me representation. I signed with one and two weeks later, an editor at a top house offered me a 2-book deal. Looking back, I know that K.L. Going's manuscript critique was an invaluable part of my revision process."

* Kat Falls

Your critique, the manuscript notes, and the wisdom of your subsequent e-mails taught me more about writing than all the books and web-sites I've read in the past few years. You get my vote for your website's Very Cool Person of the Month.

* C.W. Schmitt

"I couldn't be happier with this service. You've pointed out so many ways to make this book better, and I'm truly grateful."

* Loretta Nyhan

"You have no idea how your insight and vision makes such a difference in my understanding of where to take this novel. This is exactly what I needed."

* Lisa Keeler

"WOW! wow! WOW! First off, you're fast! I was not expecting to receive the ms back so quickly. You went over and beyond what I thought you were going to do. I'm just in awe!"

* Beth Staples

"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

"I want to personally thank you for critiquing my book. I am amazed and pleased at how quickly you returned the manuscript! Your opinions and comments were SOOOO helpful! After reading your suggestions, I was pumped and willing to re-write where improvements were needed. I needed an
eagle-eye approach and I feel competent I got my money's worth. The feedback was great, clear, and extremely helpful."

* Tonya Holloway

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