Get constructive, professional feedback on your fiction writing with this critique service. Ideal for short stories or novel excerpts for anyone needing guidance on how to move forward from their current draft, or who want to gain some insights from a publishing perspective. 

As a fiction editor and published author, I can offer insights on your story, it's current direction, it's potential directions, and give you informed advice from nearly twenty years of writing, teaching and editing experience. This critique focuses on how to develop plot, character and world building as well as tackle areas such as:

- Concept

- Pacing

- Shaping

- Framing 

- Creating a narrative drive that connects with your readers while ensuring your author voice, themes and intentions also resonate.

Not only will you get sound advice from the critique, as a StorySmith customer you get free access to my private Facebook group where you can discuss writing and publishing or get support and inspiration. 

If you purchase a chapter critique as a try-before-you-buy a full novel assessment, I will refund you the money for the chapter critique from your full assessment purchase.

By purchasing this service, you understand that any consumer cooling off period does not apply to custom made digital products under EU law.

*English language only* 

**THIS IS NOT A PROOFREADING SERVICE**

How long should I expect to wait for my assessment?

Generally, I aim to turn around short story and chapter critiques within the week, but this depends on the word count and my work schedule. We will discuss that at consultation stage.

Why would I want to have blocks of chapters assessed and how many chapters make a block?

You might want feedback on your early chapters before or while you write the next part of the story -- it might have bearing on what you do with the next part of the story. You can use blocks as a handholding service while in the process of constructing your novel if you are unsure of what your doing, rather than wait until you have a fully completed draft. Or, perhaps you have a limited budget. Feedback on some chapters is better than no feedback on any chapters as problems often repeat themselves.

A block is any length you want it to be, but if your manuscript is complete then order a full manuscript assessment.

Is it worth spending money on a short story assessment when short stories don't tend to pay much?

Think of it more in terms as an investment in your development as a writer. What you learn from the assessment can be applied in all your writing thereafter. Writing short stories is a skill that can also make a difference in novel writing. With an inline short story assessment, you get insights on how your prose reads and the overall affect of your piece that you can carry over into longer works.

I've never had professional advice before. Will it hurt?

Learning how to separate analysis of your writing from personal criticism is an art in itself, but don't worry. I am highly experienced in drilling down to what stories need and how to explain it to writers constructively and in a way that makes them want to get on with edits ASAP with new inspiration. This isn't social media, and my ego does not get off on putting other people down. The work between editor, coach or mentor and the writer is a team effort. If the writer wins from the work we do together, we both win.