There are several spots open for critique in 2012. To book your critique, please send a query to Eliza at writer@elizaknight.com. Happy writing!
***NEW in 2012--Eliza has added Back Cover Copy (aka "book blurb" services! ***
In the meantime, check out my new release: Edit Your Book in a Month: Get your novel edited and ready for submission in thirty days.
Click here to read more about the book.
Critique Services
Are you looking for someone to critique a partial or full of your manuscript?
Looking to enter a writing contest or submit to an editor or agent?
Make sure your WIP is ready for its grand debut!
Eliza Knight offers critique services to those of you who are looking for a second set of eyes to get your manuscript into top-notch shape. You can be a writer at any stage in your career to benefit from critique services.
Eliza is a trained contest judge, participating in judging nearly a dozen contests a year including RWA's Golden Heart. She was but has since retired as Contest Chair for HHRW's RTTA contest and the Chairman of CHRW's Golden Claddaugh Contest. She is currently the co-contest Chair for Maryland Romance Writers. In addition, Eliza is a free-lance copy editor. She teaches numerous workshops a year on writing craft and research.
What can you expect from your critique? Eliza will look for the following:
Writing Mechanics (spelling, grammar, any other typos)
Hooks - beginning and ending
Characterization
Point-Of-View
Setting
Pacing
Show vs. Tell
Active vs. Passive
Goals, Motivation, Conflict
Dialogue
Narrative
Story Development / Plot
Inconsistencies (Ex: heroines eyes are blue in ch. 1 and brown in ch. 2)
Where appropriate: Romance (sensuality), Suspense, Paranormal, Historical.
Anything additional you are looking for direction on.
Prices:
(Payment is due at time of service.)
Critiques
Trial: First 3 pages free
$50 for the first three chapters or 12,000 words
$20 for each additional chapter (Max 5000 words each)
$100 for a full short story length (Max 20,000 words)
$150 for a full novella length (Max 40,000 words)
$175 for full category length (Max 60,000 words)
$250 total for a full novel-length critique (Max 110,000 words--higher word count subject to additional charge)
$50 Synopsis & Query Letter
**Depending on length of manuscript and placement in queue, critiques can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months. You will be given a time frame when billed for service.
Critiques are accepted in both electronic and print formats.
Back Cover Copy (aka "book blurb")
**Depending on placement in queue, cover copy can take anywhere from 1 day to 1 week. You will be given a time frame when billed for service.
After working with me, my clients have sold to: Sourcebooks, Carina Press, Ellora's Cave, Loose ID, The Wild Rose Press, had full requests from major traditional publishers, signed with agents, as well as self-published their books.
Testimonials
“Eliza has a great eye for details, and a terrific ability to help you tighten up the writing without losing the author's voice. I absolutely recommend her.” ~ Jeannie Ruesch, Romance Author
“Eliza Knight's editing and critique services are thorough, enlightening, and her suggestions were spot-on! I She helped me take my story from good to great. I can't recommend her services enough.” ~ Renee Knowles, Romance Author
“Eliza Knight offers positive, insightful critiques that focus on maximizing a fiction writer's strengths. Eliza's feedback has helped me create memorable characters, layer emotion and motivation into my writing, and revise for emotional impact. I've been fortunate to have the benefit of Eliza's expertise as a critique partner. Any writer interested in developing craftsmanship and skill in depicting character arcs through emotions would benefit from Eliza's insight and mastery of the craft of writing.” ~Victoria Gray, Romance Writers of America Pro Member, Romance Author
If you are interested in having a critique, please contact Eliza at writer@elizaknight.com
Disclaimer: Eliza Knight promises to do her best in making sure your manuscript is ready for submission. However, she can not guarantee that a manuscript will be contracted with a publisher or agent. That being said, after a critique has been completed you will be armed with the knowledge and ability to submit your polished work, increasing your chances of acceptance.This is a tough industry to break into and it all depends on getting the right work in front of the right editor/agent at the right time. Write the best book you can, put your heart into it, make it strong, make it free of errors.
***In agreeing to have a critique done, you the client also agree that you are not obligated to make the changes or use suggestions that Eliza advises. This is your work, and ultimately your decision. In addition, you also release Eliza from any liability, copyright infringement or legal obligation in relation to the services rendered.***