CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR CRITIQUES
The children’s publishing industry has become increasingly more competitive, which is why having an outsider’s professional perspective can sometimes be invaluable: it can help you strengthen your story and provide you with a competitive edge. As a freelance editor, I will offer objective feedback and suggestions on your plot, characterization, concept, grammar/spelling, and structure. Note that while I do and will point out what’s working well, I also don’t shy away from telling you what needs work. I know it can be terrifying to entrust a stranger with your words, but I promise you that after we’ve gone through your manuscript, not only will it be stronger, but you will also grow as a writer. My goal is to give you the tools you need to revise with confidence.
For detailed information on my services, see SERVICES below.
I’m an editor by nature and by trade. I’ve been teaching and evaluating writing for over nineteen years. I’m a former Associate Professor of English–and current adjunct professor–at Broward College, where I teach composition and creative writing courses, as well as an instructor at UCLA Writers Extension, where I teach Picture Book writing. I’ve also served as a mentor through PitchWars and Las Musas, helping writers get their manuscripts ready for agents. I received my BA and MA degrees in English from Florida International University and a Certificate in Fiction from UCLA, where I focused on children’s fiction.
Aside from teaching and mentoring, I’m the award-winning author of books for young readers, including the board book Our World: Colombia; picture books Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela!, Isabel and Her Colores Go to School, and Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas; and middle grade novels The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía and Grow Up, Luchy Zapata. I also have a short story in verse, “Kaleidoscope,” in the YA anthology All the Love Under the Vast Sky.
In addition to my education, work experience, and writing career, I’ve had the pleasure of learning from and being inspired by some of the best in the industry, including PiBoIdMo/Storystorm authors, agents, and editors; SCWBI FL conference faculty throughout the years; and my own PB and MG/YA critique partners, who are both published and pre-published. I’m a firm believer in never remaining stagnant and I make it a point to attend conferences and workshops every year, as well as staying informed about the state of publishing. This is what allows me to stay on top of my craft and the market, allowing me to offer you the best possible service.
Note: I am not the best person to critique rhyme; however, I can and do critique lyrical and poetic (non-rhyming) picture books.
SERVICES
Query Only (for PB, MG, or YA) – $75
I will read your query with care, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and hook. I will also do some light line edits, looking at sentence structure, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Picture Books*—The Proofreader – $100
This option is best for those who are satisfied with the structure of their manuscript and are looking for help in sentence-level editing and proofreading. With this critique, I’m solely looking at grammar, spelling, diction and syntax, as well as redundancies, word choice, and other sentence-level edits. I can also address formatting if desired. There is a short critique letter with this option, with the bulk of the edits done in-text using MS Word Track Changes. Max 900 words.
Picture Book Critique—Content Edits – $150
This option is best for those who need feedback on plot, characterization, and structure as opposed to sentence-level errors. I will read your picture book (max 900 words) with care and focus on big picture elements like voice, point of view, plot, structure, characters, and conflict/tension. In an editorial letter, I will outline the manuscript’s strengths and offer suggestions for revision. While I will not correct grammar, spelling, diction and syntax, I will let you know if there are glaring errors that need your attention.
Your feedback will be in the form of a letter and in-text comments using MS Word Track Changes.
Picture Book Critique—Complete Edits – $200
This is perfect for those who wish to receive feedback on both big picture elements and sentence-level edits. I will read your picture book (max 900 words) with care, looking at big picture items like voice, point of view, plot, structure, characters, and tension. I will also do line edits—which will look at redundancies, repetition, use of dialogue tags, etc.—along with some light proofreading for grammar, spelling, diction, and syntax. I will also address, if necessary, the formatting of the manuscript.
Your feedback will be in the form of an editorial letter and thorough in-line comments using MS Word Track Changes.
Picture Book Critique—The Overachiever Package – $275
With this three-phase option, you will receive three distinct reads plus a query critique. First, I will read your picture book (max 900 words) with care, focusing on big picture items like plot, characterization, structure, voice, and conflict/tension. In this first phase, I will do some light in-text edits using MS Word Track Changes and offer the bulk of my feedback in an editorial letter, highlighting strengths and offering suggestions for revision.
Once you’ve revised, I’ll re-read your manuscript, offering again a critical eye and objective feedback. In this second phase, I will offer deeper in-text edits using MS Word Track Changes, focusing more specifically on sentence-level edits and any big-picture items that remain. In addition to the in-text edits, you will receive a second editorial letter, usually shorter than the first phase.
After you’ve finished revising your manuscript, we move to phase three, where you resend your manuscript along with your query letter. I will use MS Word Track Changes to do some light proofreading and check manuscript format, and I will offer comprehensive, objective feedback on your query letter, focusing on clarity, conciseness, and hook in addition to sentence structure, grammar/spelling, and punctuation.
*PB rates are for picture books 900 words or less. For longer works, please contact me for pricing.
PAYMENT
I only accept payment via PayPal at this time. I request 50% of the estimate upon signing of contract, and the balance once I finish, before I send the notes. However, please don’t send your fee until I accept your project. This will avoid any unnecessary refund fees.
REQUESTING A FREE ESTIMATE
If you’re interested in purchasing a service, your first step is to send me an inquiry. Paste the following in the body of an email:
- your name,
- requested service (see above)
- A brief (1 paragraph max) summary, including manuscript title and word count,
- Any relevant information regarding the status and history of this project, and
- The first page of your picture book so I can assess compatibility
DO NOT send me your manuscript at this point.
Once I receive your request, I will email you with my availability and turnaround time.
SUBMISSIONS
If we both agree to the timeframe, you will
- send me the initial 50% of estimate via PayPal (I will send you specific instructions at this time, including PayPal email), and
- email me your manuscript as a *.doc or *.docx attachment. Manuscript should be double spaced and formatted according to industry standards. If you don’t know what these are, click here. Please put the following in the subject of the email: MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE/ Your Name.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, don’t hesitate to contact me.
I’m looking forward to working with you to make your manuscript shine! While I cannot guarantee acceptance, this process will ensure you have a strong manuscript that will rise above the others.
Alexandra Alessandri 