Get unstuck and fall in love with your story again

Manuscript critiques that give you clarity, confidence, and a clear path forward

Hi! I’m Michael, a freelance book editor with 20 years of experience in writing and editing. I know how easy it is to get lost in your own story—one minute you’re weaving together brilliant plotlines, and the next, you’re staring at your manuscript wondering if it’s all just an elaborate mess. (It’s not. But I get why it feels that way.)

That’s where I come in. My manuscript critique gives you honest, insightful feedback designed to strengthen your story while respecting your unique voice and vision. I’ll help you pinpoint what’s working, what’s not, and exactly what you need to do to take your book to the next level.

No fluff. No vague advice. Just clear, actionable guidance—delivered with a sense of humor and a genuine desire to see you succeed.

  • What writers have said about my feedback:

    “Michael, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I so appreciate your perspectives and critique!”

    “Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your insight and guidance!”

    “I really hope you can continue to give me such wonderful feedback in the 6-month rewrite! Thank you for all your suggestions and guidance throughout this year!”

    Writers I love:

    I’ve admired, studied, and emulated the writing of many of the greats in sci-fi and fantasy, including Robert Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander, Ursula Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Swanwick, Charles Stross, and more.

    I’m also a fan of modern fiction, including “literary” writers like Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, and Barbara Kingsolver.

    Other experience:

    Since 2018, I’ve written dozens of short stories through the Deadlines for Writers online writing challenges and worked on my own novel. I also served as a beta reader for writers working on short stories and first drafts and rewrites of novels.

    Fun stuff:

    I also love cats, Cuban coffee, and cool t-shirts.

Manuscript Critique

($0.02 per word)

(Minimum word count: 20,000 words—because even the most epic prologue isn’t a full book.)

Looking for in-depth feedback on your manuscript but not quite ready for a full developmental edit? My manuscript critique offers comprehensive notes on your story’s structure, characters, pacing, and more—without the hefty price tag of a full edit.

Perfect for writers who:

  • Love their story but know something feels “off”—they just can’t pinpoint what

  • Have done their research, taken writing courses, and revised their manuscript, but still want an expert’s perspective

  • Are ready to put in the work but need guidance on where to focus their revisions

  • Want professional, insightful feedback that’s also encouraging (because writing is hard enough already)

  • Appreciate an editor with a sense of humor who won’t make them cry

Why Work With Me?

I’m here to help you get unstuck and find clarity without making the process overwhelming. Writers appreciate my ability to ask the right questions, provide thoughtful insights, and offer constructive feedback that keeps them motivated—not discouraged.

Writing a book is a journey. Let’s make sure yours doesn’t end in frustration.

What You’ll Get

  • In-line comments throughout your manuscript covering plot, characters, pacing, worldbuilding (if applicable), and overall reader engagement..

  • A comprehensive 3-5 page editorial letter analyzing key story elements and answering critical questions like:

    • Does the pacing and character development feel natural?

    • Are there any plot holes, contradictions, or moments of unintentional time travel?

    • Where could the story be more immersive or emotionally impactful?

    • Do the characters feel authentic and engaging—or do they need a little more depth?

    • Does the story flow well from beginning to end, or does it trip over its own shoelaces?

  • Post-critique conference (45 minutes) – A one-on-one Zoom session where we discuss my feedback, brainstorm solutions, and create a game plan for your next draft. Bring your questions, your ideas, and your beverage of choice.

Book a Session

All set to get started?

Here’s a quick rundown of everything you’ll need to know about working with me—let’s make sure we’re on the same page and ready to dive in!

The Details

  • Advance Bookings: Secure your spot for 2025 now—future-you will be grateful when my rates go up.

  • Genres Accepted: Fantasy & science fiction (including YA), adventure, horror, historical fiction, mystery, and select non-fiction. (No poetry or religious fiction.) Not sure? Just ask!

  • Payment: 50% deposit at booking, remainder due when you submit your manuscript. I accept most online payment methods, including PayPal and Venmo.

  • Cancellations & Rescheduling: Must be done at least 30 days in advance—because life happens, but I still need to plan ahead.

  • Turnaround Time: Varies by project length. No rush services available—I believe good editing, like a fine wine, takes patience.

  • Short Projects: Manuscripts under 50,000 words may receive a slightly shorter critique letter, but with the same level of insight.

Got questions? Shoot me an email—I’d love to hear about your project!

FAQs

  • If you’ve revised your book but still feel stuck, unsure, or just need a fresh perspective, a critique can give you clarity on what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus your revisions.

  • Yep. This type of editing service goes by many names, including manuscript evaluation, manuscript assessment, manuscript appraisal, and editorial evaluation. Manuscript critique is just the name that happens to be in vogue right now. 

  • A manuscript critique provides big-picture feedback on your story’s structure, characters, pacing, and overall effectiveness. A developmental edit is more intensive, involving in-depth revisions and detailed in-line comments throughout your manuscript. If you’re looking for guidance but aren’t ready for a full edit, a critique is a great starting point!

  • I strongly recommend finishing your draft before submitting it for critique. A complete manuscript allows me to give the most helpful feedback on structure, pacing, and character development. If you're stuck mid-draft, you might need a writing coach instead!

  • Turnaround time depends on the manuscript length and my current schedule, but most critiques take 4–6 weeks. I’ll give you an estimated timeline when we start.

  • Nope! A manuscript critique focuses on storytelling elements, not line editing or proofreading. If you need help with sentence-level polish, that comes later in the editing process.

  • That’s what the post-critique Zoom call is for! We’ll go over my feedback, answer your questions, and brainstorm your next steps. You won’t be left staring at your manuscript, wondering what to do next.

  • Absolutely! You can reserve a spot in advance. A 50% deposit secures your booking, with the remainder due when you submit your manuscript.

  • No, because I don’t believe in “terrible” books—only works-in-progress that need guidance. My feedback is honest but constructive, designed to help you improve, not discourage you.