Manuscript Critique | Studio Marginalia

Every manuscript has blind spots.

And as writers, we're often too close to our own work to recognise what they are.

My role is to uncover those blind spots and provide a clear, objective assessment of your manuscript. I read your story like a reader, but critique it with an editor's eye. By combining authentic reading experience with craft-level analysis, I can show you not only what isn't working, but why it isn't working and how to strengthen it.

There's a difference between personal preference and objective story problems, and I don't blur the line, allowing you to approach revisions with confidence rather than second-guessing every decision.

However, this isn't just a hunt for problems. My goal is to be both coach and teammate. Beyond pointing out what's broken, I'm also your biggest cheerleader, showing you why readers will fall in love with what you've already built.

Who This Service Is For

A manuscript critique is ideal if:

You know something isn't working, but can't quite pinpoint what
You're unsure how your story will land with readers
You've received conflicting advice from critique partners or writing groups and need one clear, objective assessment
You're deep into revisions and could use an experienced second set of eyes to help you move forward
You're preparing to query, self-publish, or move on to professional editing

What You Receive

In-line Comments

For manuscript critique, the comments show my analysis in action. They highlight specific places where the manuscript’s structure, character work, pacing, clarity, or emotional impact are succeeding or could be strengthened. You’ll see exactly where those patterns appear in the story, while the Critique Letter explains how they connect across the manuscript.

Comprehensive Critique Letter

Following the read, you'll receive a detailed critique letter covering these core elements of your manuscript:

Plot
Whether the story unfolds logically, maintains conflict and tension, and delivers a satisfying emotional payoff.
Characters
Whether the characters feel believable and consistent, whether their motivations make sense, whether their roles serve the story, and how effectively they connect with the reader.
Setting/Worldbuilding
Whether the world feels immersive, internally consistent, and strengthens the story rather than distracting from it.
Theme
Whether the central ideas emerge naturally and resonate throughout the narrative.
Pacing
How effectively the story maintains momentum, where it slows down, and where it may move too quickly.
Readability and Flow
How smoothly the prose reads, whether scenes transition naturally, and how easily the narrative carries the reader forward.
Overall Reader Experience
How all of the story's elements come together, what lingers after the final page, and the overall impression the manuscript leaves.
Genre & Reader Expectations
Whether the manuscript delivers on the expectations of its intended genre, who the story is most likely to resonate with, and whether it reaches its target audience effectively.

My critique is further separated into two distinct sections:

What's Working

A strong critique explains not just what's working, but why it succeeds.

This section highlights the aspects of your story that stand out, why they resonate, and how they strengthen the overall reading experience.

Notes on Improvement

A strong critique doesn't just identify problems. It explains them.

This section identifies the areas where your story loses impact, explains why they're affecting the reading experience, and offers suggestions to help guide your revisions.

Communication & Support

This is a hybrid email and call service designed to keep the process as simple as possible.

Before Your Critique

You're welcome to email me with:

Your goals for the manuscript
Any concerns or revision challenges you're facing
Specific areas you'd like extra attention on
Questions you'd like answered within the critique letter

After Your Critique

One follow-up call (no time limit), where we can:

Discuss any aspect of the critique
Clarify questions or points of uncertainity
Brainstorm revision strategies
Talk through your manuscript and next steps

Scheduled at a time convenient for both of us.

45 Days of Revision Support

Revision is a process, and I don't intend to hang you out to dry.

For 45 days following your critique, you'll have ongoing email support while you work through your revisions. To ensure every response remains thoughtful and comprehensive, I reply to one revision email each week, so I encourage you to gather your questions into a single message whenever possible.

Questions?

If you’re unsure whether this service is the right fit for your manuscript’s current stage, feel free to get in touch. I’m happy to help you figure out what kind of feedback would best support your revision goals.

Investment

There are no hidden fees or surprise costs. Every pricing tier includes the complete manuscript critique service: any consultation prior to commitment, in-line comments, a comprehensive manuscript critique, a post-critique call, and 45 days of revision support.

Manuscript Length	Price (USD)
1,000 – 20,000 words	$200
20,001 – 40,000 words	$400
40,001 – 60,000 words	$700
60,001 – 80,000 words	$1000
80,001 – 100,000 words	$1,400
100,001 – 120,000 words	$1,800
120,000+ words	Contact for Custom Quote

A 50% deposit is required to secure your booking, with the remaining balance due before your critique is delivered. Manuscripts exceeding 120,000 words are priced individually based on length and complexity.

My Policies

Everything you need to know before you book.

NO AI. EVER.

I do not use AI at any point in my service: to read your manuscript, write your letter, or assist in writing the letter. If you suspect AI use, you are well within your rights to request proof of actual human work, which will be provided. Studio Marginalia is built for humans, by a human.

Payment

All services and payments are agreed upon in advance and paid in USD. All services are confirmed with a 50% deposit to secure the booking and begin the project. The remaining 50% balance is due upon completion of the service and before delivery of final materials (your Critique Letter and the Annotated Manuscript). Final deliverables are released once the remaining balance has been received.

Refunds

Clients may request a full refund at any time before I send my start-of-work confirmation email. Once that email is sent, the project is locked in and no refunds will be issued. If I am unable to complete the service after receiving payment, the client will receive a full refund.

Communication

You may contact me at any time via email while I have your manuscript, and I respond within 24 hours. After delivery, communication follows the revision support terms outlined in your specific service.

Word Count Minimum / Maximum

The minimum word count is 1,000 words. The maximum word count is 120,000 words. I am open to working with manuscripts over this limit, but you must contact me beforehand to discuss.

Confidentiality

Your manuscript and any feedback shared are treated as confidential by default. I will never share, publish, or discuss your work without your permission. I provide my own contract for all projects, but I'm also happy to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) or use your contract upon request.

Right to Decline

I reserve the right to decline a manuscript if it isn't a good fit for my services or expertise. If this happens, you will be notified before any deposit is charged, and no payment will be required.

Contact

Stop Revising Blind. Start Revising Smart.

Tell me about your manuscript and I’ll get back to you within 48 hours.