Consultations

First Chapters Critique

Focuses on the crucial opening chapters that can help you grab agent, publisher, and reader attention and interest and keep them hooked.

Authors may spend so much time trying to craft the “perfect” grabby first lines or paragraphs that they overlook the many elements of story these opening pages must establish and develop to convince readers to get in the car and go for the ride. You have to hook readers and keep them—and that’s where many opening pages and chapters fall short.

Using experience and expertise culled from editing thousands of manuscripts over the course of my career working with publishers, agents, and indie authors, I’ll help you create dynamic, irresistible opening pages that will capture readers’ attention and engagement.

Note: This is not a developmental edit. Rather than a full editorial letter and embedded comments you’ll receive my feedback during our consultation: a thorough analysis of what’s working well in your initial pages, and what areas might benefit from strengthening, development, or clarification, along with a written actionable list to help you with revisions.

What this consultation includes:

• A comprehensive editorial read of your first three chapters (including prologue), or up to 50 pages (industry-standard formatting: double-spaced, one-inch margins, 12-pt standard font).
• A 60-minute Zoom consultation that covers my analysis and feedback
• Author questions and discussion
• A recording of the call for your reference
• A written summary that can serve as a road map for your revisions
• Unlimited email follow-up for clarification and questions (does not include looking over or offering feedback on revisions; additional consulting fees will apply for this service)