Currently OPEN 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. My goal is to give you the tools you need to revise with confidence and submit your best work to publishing professionals.
For detailed information on my services, see SERVICES below.
WHY ME?
I’m the award-winning author of several 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, Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas, and Fly Pajarito Fly; 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. My books have received numerous distinctions, including the Florida Book Award, International Latino Book Award, Américas Award Commendable Title, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, and the ILA 2022 Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award in Primary Fiction. I also write stories for young readers through Curriculum Associates as well as poetry.
Aside from my writing, I’ve been teaching and evaluating writing for over twenty-two years, primarily at Broward College, where I served as Associate Professor of English before stepping down to adjunct. In addition to teaching composition and creative writing courses at Broward College, I’m also an instructor at UCLA Writers Extension, where I teach Picture Book writing, and I’ve 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. Throughout my career, I’ve taught picture book writing workshops to students and adults, participated in panels, and focused on honing my craft and staying current in today’s publishing market. It’s what allows me to help you get your manuscript ready.
SERVICES OFFERED
Note: I am not the best person to critique rhyme; however, I can and do critique lyrical and poetic (non-rhyming) picture books. Absolutely NO manuscript submissions written with AI will be accepted.
Query Only (for PB, MG, or YA) – $95*
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.
*Add a picture book query to any PB package below for $50.
Picture Books—Surface In-line Edits Only – $125
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—Developmental Edits – $175
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 Package – $250
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 – $375
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.
Note: Picture book 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 pitch, including manuscript title and word count (max 800)
- 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.
SUBMISSIONS
Once I receive your request, I will email you with an estimate for requested services, my availability, and turnaround time. From there, we proceed as follows:
- If you agree, I’lI send you a digital agreement that details what we discussed, along with directions to pay the retainer fee.
- I require 50% of the estimate paid up front via PayPal
- Once you have paid the retainer, you will email me your manuscript as a *.doc or *.docx attachment, 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.
- After I complete your critique(s), I will email you with the PayPal information to send the second 50% of the estimate.
- Once I receive final payment, I email you the full feedback and in-line edits.
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.
FAQs
Will you accept manuscripts written with AI? No. You will be asked to disclose AI usage in the agreement. You can use simply grammar and spelling check, we all do, but nothing generative.
What is your turnaround time? Generally, it’s about a week for a query critique or for developmental/in-line edits; the three-phase “Overachiever” will take longer. However, all times will be discussed and agreed upon at the signing of agreement.
Will you critique rhyming picture books? No; while I love a great rhyming PB, it’s not my specialty. However, I was first a poet and LOVE lyrical picture books and free verse, so send me those!
Will you critique nonfiction picture books? Unfortunately, nonfiction isn’t my wheelhouse, but here is a list of nonfiction authors who do!
You write middle grade and YA, too; can you critique those manuscripts as well? Alas, not at this time. I still teach and write, so my time is limited. I can only accept picture books at this moment.
I also illustrated; can you weigh in on my illustrations? No. While I do love art (and often write artists into my stories), I do not have the adequate skills to critique art.
If you have any other questions that haven’t been answered above, feel free to contact me!
Alexandra Alessandri 