I offer workshop-style critiques of picture books.

What do I mean by workshop-style critiques? Instead of a separate written critique, I will provide feedback as comments directly in the manuscript. The best part? We can have a dialogue. Want my opinion on your ideas in response to my feedback? Totally okay! You want to ask me questions? Great! I will be like your personalized mentor for a few days.  Oh, I want to see your pitch and blurb, too. More on that below.

To order a critique or for any questions, email [email protected]. Please include your documents as either an email attachment or a Google docs link. I’ll send you an invoice through PayPal. I can usually provide the initial critique within 48 hours and respond to your additional comments within 24 hours.

Critique Services

Single Manuscript   $100
+ one query pitch or back cover blurb + two Twitter pitches

Full Query    $25
+ full author bio such as for an author website or Goodreads page

Revision Critique    $50
Limited to a manuscript (with pitches or blurb) I had previously critiqued

Body of Work/Agent Submission Package    $200
This service is for picture book authors seeking agent representation and includes:

• Critiques of three polished picture book manuscripts with pitches
• Critique of one full query for the book you intend to lead with and full author bio
• Additional feedback on:
  • The comparative marketability of your manuscripts and ways to represent your body of work to an agent.
  • Your writing strengths and weaknesses across your body of work.

Testimonials

Sarah always has lots of helpful comments! She nudges you to explore areas you probably skipped and her questions always steer me in the right direction- honored to be in 2 critique groups with her!
Marzieh Abbas

I am lucky to call Sarah a critique partner, and let me tell you how helpful her feedback always is! If you’re looking for a professional critique, look no further!
Allison Strick 

Sarah has such a great way of looking at the big picture of the manuscript and then is able to point out on a more micro-level the areas of strength and needs for improvement. She asks critical questions but also brainstorms options with you so you have a clear direction to head in. On a recent manuscript revision, she helped me to delve deeper and think about it on another level. Sarah has taught me so much about writing and editing, I am now able to revise with her voice in my head!
​Karen Keesling

Details, details, details
I primarily provide developmental critiques. I will focus on the ‘what is this story saying’ and ‘why should we care’ big picture ideas. I will focus on the ‘how is this story being told’ part as it relates to storytelling such as the structure, pace, and narrative distance. I will focus on strengthening the response you want to invoke in a reader. I’m happy to critique poetry or lyrical books but my critiques will focus on the story and general feel of rhyme, rhythm, and other poetic devices rather than meter.

And…
I will not provide a separate written document containing my critique, analysis, or summary of your submitted materials. This is because my critiques are a direct, workshop-style discussion of your writing within your manuscript.
 
Why I ask for pitches and blurbs
I want to see what you’re aiming for! I want to see how you intend to sell your book to an agent, editor, or directly to the market. Sometimes an author writes a story about one thing but the reader is getting something else from the story. I can then tailor my feedback toward your unique vision for your book or offer an alternative path. I also want to help you put the best and most marketable elements of your story forward. Even if you aren’t ready to pitch your manuscript, it can be a helpful exercise to write a pitch as you develop your story, but feel free to skip this if you want.

If you would like feedback on your pitches or blurb for that story, please put them in the same document as your manuscript. Please label them (Twitter pitch, query pitch).

For authors pursuing traditional publication:
You will want to include a query pitch. This is not the entire query; it’s just the few lines introducing the plot of your book with a hook.  If you intend to participate in Twitter pitch parties feel free to include up to two Twitter pitches.
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For authors intending to self-publish:
You will want to include the book blurb that will appear on the back cover of your book. You may also include loglines or brief marketing blurbs. Please, please note: I am only offering critique services, not editing or proofreading.