Leigh

Michaels

Author, Teacher, Editor

A Word's Worth

Manuscript Critiquing and Evaluation

Now you can get advice

from a multi-published author and teacher

on your first chapter, synopsis, manuscript, or submissions package

All critiquing, evaluation, and written feedback will be done by Leigh herself.

Print out brochure (Adobe PDF format)

comments from clients

Are you tired of letters like these?

Dear Contributor: We are returning your submission because it does not meet our needs at this time....

Dear Ms. Writer: Thank you for your submission. We have reviewed it carefully, but find that your conflict is contrived and your characters underdeveloped....

Dear Contest Entrant: We are pleased to forward your scores from The Romance Contest. Your entry has received a rating of 3.4 (on our scale of 1 to 10).....

It’s disillusioning to send off submissions and queries to agents or editors and wait for months, only to get a form rejection letter or a few general comments with no explanation of how they apply to your manuscript. And it's annoying to spend lots of money and time on contest entries, only to receive a generic score with little feedback.

Award-winning romance author and writing teacher Leigh Michaels offers A Word’s Worth – a critique service to help writers avoid outcomes like these. Services include individual, personal, in-depth analysis of your work.

Synopsis and first chapter

	Manuscript in progress
	Full manuscript
	Submission proposals

This multi-published author and teacher will offer feedback on your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, critique your work, and give concrete suggestions for moving your book toward publication.

Leigh offers several packages to best serve the needs of authors at any stage of their writing careers. For approximately the cost of a couple of contests, you can receive a full critique of your first chapter and synopsis. For about the cost of a class, you can receive a detailed evaluation of an entire manuscript.

First chapter/synopsis critique

Ideal for beginning authors or for authors wanting feedback on a new idea before investing large amounts of time in the writing process. Well suited for the author who has considered entering contests in the hope of receiving helpful comments.

Send:

	Up to 25 pages total (up to 6,250 words) in standard manuscript format
	Include the first chapter, usually about 20 pages in standard manuscript format
	Include a synopsis (summary of the entire storyline), usually about five pages in standard manuscript format
	Include filled-out information form

Receive:

	Written analysis of the strong points and weaknesses of the storyline
	Written critique of the first chapter
	Margin notes and comments on the manuscript
	Evaluation of whether further editing/critiquing would be of value at this point

Fee: $95.00

Turnaround time: within 30 days, or as arranged

The fee for a first chapter/synopsis critique may be credited toward the cost of a full manuscript evaluation (on the same manuscript), if the manuscript is submitted within 60 days after the first chapter/synopsis critique is returned to the author.

Instructions for submitting

Manuscript-in-progress evaluation

Ideal for the author who has a partial manuscript and would like advice, feedback, and suggestions to assist in completing it. Also well suited where an editor has expressed interest in an idea or a proposal, but the book isn’t finished.

Send:

	A section of the manuscript (any length) in standard manuscript format
	a synopsis in standard manuscript format
	Include filled-out information form

Receive:

	Written critique of the submitted section
	Written critique of the strong points and weaknesses of the synopsis/storyline
	Margin notes and comments on the manuscript
	Suggestions for revisions and completion

Fee: $2.50 per page (manuscript plus synopsis) with a minimum charge of $195.00

Turnaround time: within 45 days, or as arranged

Instructions for submitting

Full-manuscript evaluation

Ideal for the author who has a finished draft but needs help in polishing and strengthening the book before submitting. Also well suited for situations where the author has submitted the manuscript without receiving helpful editorial feedback , or where an editor has indicated potential interest if the author revises.

Send:

	Full manuscript, in standard manuscript format
	Include filled-out information form

Receive:

	Written critique of the story as a whole
	Evaluation of the strong points and weaknesses
	Margin notes and comments
	Suggestions for revisions or changes

Fee: Manuscripts up to 250 pages, $2.00 per page maximum charge; minimum charge of $295.00.

Manuscripts over 250 pages, $1.75 per page maximum charge; minimum charge of $295.00.

Turnaround time: within 60 days, or as arranged

Instructions for submitting

Proposal/submission critique

Moving from manuscript to submission isn’t an easy step. The book is finished, but marketing it is an entirely different matter, requiring a new skill set. Leigh offers help to make sure the proposal is tight and clear so it has the best possible chance with the editor.

Ideal for the author who has a complete manuscript and is ready to begin a serious marketing effort. This critique focuses on presentation as well as story.

Send:

	Up to 60 pages (maximum of 15,000 words) in standard manuscript format
	Include first three chapters
	Include synopsis (maximum ten pages, or the length requested by the targeted publisher)
	Include filled-out information form

Receive:

	Written analysis of the story storyline
	Written critique of the proposal package
	Margin notes and comments
	Suggestions for revisions or changes

Fee: $195.00

Turnaround time: within 30 days, or as arranged

Instructions for submitting

To submit:
Mail your package to

Leigh Michaels

A Word’s Worth -- Manuscript Critiquing & Evaluation

P.O. Box 935

Ottumwa IA 52501-0935

(Information for w riters wishing to submit by email)

Frequently asked questions

Leigh reserves the right to return submissions if she feels she isn't the best person to evaluate your work. In such a case, the author’s check will be promptly returned along with the submitted materials.

In the event of a fee change, previous rates will be honored for authors whose materials are postmarked before the date of the change.