Children’s Book Critique Services

Now offering paid book critique services for children’s books,
even those you do not plan to submit for publishing with us.

Children’s Book Critique Services: $20 for 500 words

Why am I charging for this service? A thoughtful critique takes considerably longer than it takes to read a children’s book. While a children’s book may take 5 or 10 minutes to read through, I look into it further. I think about the characters, the setting, the subject, and the action. I’ll make sure the plot works, is age appropriate, and understandable. I make sure the protagonists and antagonists display an appropriate perspective. That the moral or theme of the story is clear. That the elements connect cohesively. I make editing suggestions, will source scripture if necessary, possibly detail the marketability, and so much more.

This is why I charge for my service. This critique comes with a publishers 20 years worth of insight and that can be time consuming. Please also note that pricing is based on the total word count of the submitted manuscript. While I prefer a shorter children’s book read, I will read through a slightly longer manuscript, but must insist on not exceeding 5000 words. It would take me much longer to complete and may not be worth it to you. Picture books are my specialty, but I also critique children’s chapter books up to 5,000 words. Pricing is based on total word count.

Receive a detailed analysis of what was good, what didn’t work and what should or could be changed to make the story better.

What is a Book Critique?

Our Children’s Book Critique service will provide you with expert advice on your initial draft, highlighting your book’s next steps and areas that could be improved upon. A thorough, in-depth analysis of your story will be made. A detailed, annotated response not only pointing out issues that need to be focused on, but also providing helpful suggestions.

Why would I need a critique? It’s just a children’s book.

So, you think your children’s book is ready. You had a friend read through it and found a couple of misspelled words. Your spouse added some extra commas. You are actively on the search for an illustrator or you found an art student from the nearby community college to do them. Then, you plan to self-publish through KDP. Why on Earth would you need to pay for a critique? You don’t, necessarily. Not every manuscript needs a professional critique. But if you’re investing time, money, and emotion into publishing your book, a critique can help you catch issues before they become expensive mistakes.

You could join a local book critique group (this is different from a writers group, but a local writers group is a great place to start.) There are many writers groups out there who may be helpful. They may just look at grammar and punctuation or you may find a rare gem in the group. You could find a grandmother of ten who know exactly what their grand kids are interested in. You may find a librarian who is so well-schooled, she can tell you that your topic wouldn’t be popular. Or you may even find a retired teacher who can help you find a roundabout way to polish your anti-bullying book.

Someone there may even know that the transcendent vocabulary that you utilized prodigiously, may not fit the age group of your intended reader (you used big words). But are you willing to bet the success of your book on chance encounters?

Children’s Book Critique Services

This is why I am offering a full and thorough children’s picture book critique (500 words or less preferred). I will read through your manuscript. Locate any words or phrases that are not age appropriate. Verify that your story line flows properly. Make sure you are not utilizing trademarked content or referencing pop culture or dated material that would limit or jeopardize the life of your book. I will provide a comprehensive response detailing practical suggestions and ways to improve your story, and I may even suggest alternative ideas, plots, endings or whatever I can that will help your story shine.

Why get your book critiqued?

Isn’t a critique like criticism? Isn’t a critique subjective? Yes, to a point, but would you rather that subjective criticism come before you’ve paid an illustrator and printed up a hundred books to sell? Wouldn’t you want to hear it from me, via email, rather than a book reviewer on Amazon where the entire world could see?

More importantly, do you feel like you could do better? Push yourself to excel. You may think your story is perfect but are you objective enough? You are too close to it. A family member is not going to want to hurt your feelings (not that I will intentionally hurt your feelings). A fellow writer may not want to see a competitor get better, or they may critique you until you are blue in the face, ready to give up the ghost instead of taking that big chance.

I know that every time I have ever had a book critiqued, I went back to the drawing board, reworked things and what came out after was so much better than I ever expected it could be. I looked back at the original and cringed. And every time that critique made my writing better. I am, who I am, thanks to constructive critiques. Without a doubt.

Why is this service only for Children’s Books?

Two reasons. First, my educational training and selling experience make me remarkably suited for this endeavor. As an author of a couple dozen children’s books, I have seen what children are drawn to, what stories they are most interested in and what draws in the parents, grandparents and teachers. As a publisher of children’s books, I know what to look for, what stories, moral lessons and content I would be proud to publish our logo on. Even if we don’t publish your book, our opinion should matter, as traditional publishers take their time (and money) even more seriously than I do.

The second reason is time. I just don’t have the time to read a long manuscript. I want to focus on what I know and help others put out the best children’s books we can because children are our future and we need them to be as educated as possible.

Stories in Verse – Rhyming Books

Additionally, stories in verse (rhyming stories) are my forte. I love rhythmic poetry that tells a story. A rhyming tale with a fun, bouncy flow, leaps from your tongue like a song. It sticks with me, as it does with children for the rest of their lives.

Say your book is a rhyming story, this critique is going to be much more difficult for you. I will help you see your repetitive stanzas, find ways to cut and condense your message and have a perfect bouncy flow. When a parent reading a rhyming book aloud, looses the flow or finds the meter off and they stutter or lose their way when telling the story, it messes with the flow of bedtime and you don’t want that.

What You Will receive:

Various things you will receive on your story can include:

• Comments on your manuscript
• A detailed editorial letter
• Suggestions for pacing
• Character development
• Plot/story structure
• Age appropriateness
• Marketability for children’s publishing

Start your Children’s Book Critique Now: How it Works:

• Purchase your critique. $20 up to 500 words, $20 for each additional 500 words.
• Complete the manuscript submission form.
• You’ll receive your critique hopefully within a few business days.

I’m ready!

Below are a couple ways you can send payment.

Please Note: The $20 fee covers the time of reading your 500 word (or less) story, and writing one detailed critique. If your children’s story exceeds 500 words please see pricing schedule. I also do not want to read and critique anything that is not a children’s story. If you have a few questions after I send my critique, I will answer those as I can. Back and forth conversations that continue past a detailed critique and a few explanations may have additional time billed. My goal is to be economical for you and helpful, but I have to make sure that my time does not get taken advantage of. Thank you for your understanding.

Fill out the Order Form Below

Please Note: Manuscripts submitted without payment are held until payment is received and are not added to the critique schedule.