Critique Services
Short stories/single chapters:
Up to 4000 words £88.00
Up to 8000 words £166.00
Longer pieces by arrangement. Work can be submitted by email or post. I will email (or post) my full written report with comments and suggestions for development back to you by an agreed deadline (usually a maximum of 2 weeks).
Full length manuscripts:
Up to 20,000 words £225
Up to 40,000 words £375
Up to 60,000 words £430
Up to 80,000 words £520
Over 80,000 words add £5.00 for each further 1,000 words
(Second or redrafted version as above but with 10% discount)
Appraisal includes a detailed written report. For a full-length manuscript, this is usually at least 6 pages, often longer. Initially, please send an email or brief letter, telling me a little about you and your writing, plus a detailed outline or synopsis, and a sample of your work (around 15-20 double line-spaced pages would be fine). This will enable me to decide whether I am able to take on the work. There is no charge for this initial reading. If I am able to work with the manuscript, I will then contact you and ask you send the full manuscript. You can submit work electronically, or as a hard copy by post. The ms should be laid out as follows: double line spaced, with 12pt font (Arial or Times New Roman). Please don’t forget to number pages! If you are submitting by post, your manuscript should be printed on one side of the paper only, and follow the above guidelines for layout. The turnaround time for a full-length manuscript is usually around four to six weeks.
Initially, please get in touch via the contact page to arrange submission.
Please provide a brief commentary / statement of aims with your work. It may help to think about questions such as: What do you want your reader to take away from this story/chapter? What emotions do you want him or her to feel? How do you want your reader to respond to certain characters? Are you trying to create a particular atmosphere in the piece? Which areas do you feel need particular attention? The purpose of the commentary is so that I can see what you’re trying to achieve, and comment on how well you’re achieving it. It’s important for a writer to be analytical, to be aware of the process of writing – we all produce the odd masterpiece now and again, but if we don’t know how we did it, we won’t know how to do it again! If you’re submitting part of a novel, please include a brief outline or synopsis (I won’t comment on this, it’s just so that I can put the piece in context.) If the section is anything other than the opening, I’ll also need brief summaries of preceding chapters.
Up to 4000 words £88.00
Up to 8000 words £166.00
Longer pieces by arrangement. Work can be submitted by email or post. I will email (or post) my full written report with comments and suggestions for development back to you by an agreed deadline (usually a maximum of 2 weeks).
Full length manuscripts:
Up to 20,000 words £225
Up to 40,000 words £375
Up to 60,000 words £430
Up to 80,000 words £520
Over 80,000 words add £5.00 for each further 1,000 words
(Second or redrafted version as above but with 10% discount)
Appraisal includes a detailed written report. For a full-length manuscript, this is usually at least 6 pages, often longer. Initially, please send an email or brief letter, telling me a little about you and your writing, plus a detailed outline or synopsis, and a sample of your work (around 15-20 double line-spaced pages would be fine). This will enable me to decide whether I am able to take on the work. There is no charge for this initial reading. If I am able to work with the manuscript, I will then contact you and ask you send the full manuscript. You can submit work electronically, or as a hard copy by post. The ms should be laid out as follows: double line spaced, with 12pt font (Arial or Times New Roman). Please don’t forget to number pages! If you are submitting by post, your manuscript should be printed on one side of the paper only, and follow the above guidelines for layout. The turnaround time for a full-length manuscript is usually around four to six weeks.
Initially, please get in touch via the contact page to arrange submission.
Please provide a brief commentary / statement of aims with your work. It may help to think about questions such as: What do you want your reader to take away from this story/chapter? What emotions do you want him or her to feel? How do you want your reader to respond to certain characters? Are you trying to create a particular atmosphere in the piece? Which areas do you feel need particular attention? The purpose of the commentary is so that I can see what you’re trying to achieve, and comment on how well you’re achieving it. It’s important for a writer to be analytical, to be aware of the process of writing – we all produce the odd masterpiece now and again, but if we don’t know how we did it, we won’t know how to do it again! If you’re submitting part of a novel, please include a brief outline or synopsis (I won’t comment on this, it’s just so that I can put the piece in context.) If the section is anything other than the opening, I’ll also need brief summaries of preceding chapters.
Mentoring
Mentoring is aimed at writers working on longer pieces of work such as a novel or short story collection. These packages would also suit those who feel they would benefit from regular deadlines and detailed feedback. Ideally, we would meet face-to-face for feedback sessions, but if you're not able to get to the Sheffield area, it is possible to do this by phone, email or Zoom.
There are 8 submissions of up to 10,000 words over a 12-15 month period, though this can be flexible. A submission every 6 weeks or so works well. I will provide detailed written comments along with notes and corrections on each submission. This includes a face-to-face tutorial that will last around 45mins -1hour, where we meet up over coffee at a mutually convenient place to go through your work. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and clarify things, and an opportunity for us to discuss your work in depth, including where to go next. This is often where new ideas spring up, apparently from nowhere, so this is definitely the recommended option. However, if a face-to-face meet is not possible, you may prefer to opt for telephone/Zoom tutorials, or if you'd rather, I can submit a more detailed written report instead (usually 1-2 pages) with comments and suggestions for development.
I will also email or telephone you once between submissions to see how you are getting on and to help (hopefully) with any problems you are having.
Full mentoring package: £2057 (£500 deposit on booking, balance due before third session)
Mini mentoring package: £1032 (4 submissions of up to 7500 words over a 6-9 month period, otherwise same service
as above. £250 deposit on booking, balance due before second session)
How to submit: Please contact me here giving brief details about yourself and the project you are working on. I will then ask you to send me a synopsis or outline, along with a sample of your work (around 15-20 double-spaced pages). This will enable me to decide whether I am able to work with you on any particular project. There is no charge for this initial reading. I will get back to you as soon as possible (usually within 7-10 days) to let you know if I am able to take on the work and to arrange the details of your first submission.
There are 8 submissions of up to 10,000 words over a 12-15 month period, though this can be flexible. A submission every 6 weeks or so works well. I will provide detailed written comments along with notes and corrections on each submission. This includes a face-to-face tutorial that will last around 45mins -1hour, where we meet up over coffee at a mutually convenient place to go through your work. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and clarify things, and an opportunity for us to discuss your work in depth, including where to go next. This is often where new ideas spring up, apparently from nowhere, so this is definitely the recommended option. However, if a face-to-face meet is not possible, you may prefer to opt for telephone/Zoom tutorials, or if you'd rather, I can submit a more detailed written report instead (usually 1-2 pages) with comments and suggestions for development.
I will also email or telephone you once between submissions to see how you are getting on and to help (hopefully) with any problems you are having.
Full mentoring package: £2057 (£500 deposit on booking, balance due before third session)
Mini mentoring package: £1032 (4 submissions of up to 7500 words over a 6-9 month period, otherwise same service
as above. £250 deposit on booking, balance due before second session)
How to submit: Please contact me here giving brief details about yourself and the project you are working on. I will then ask you to send me a synopsis or outline, along with a sample of your work (around 15-20 double-spaced pages). This will enable me to decide whether I am able to work with you on any particular project. There is no charge for this initial reading. I will get back to you as soon as possible (usually within 7-10 days) to let you know if I am able to take on the work and to arrange the details of your first submission.