Lesson series

First Fifty Pages Critique

Get valuable feedback on the first 50 pages of your manuscript.
Please note: this service is fully booked through December 2024.
You may enroll now to submit your manuscript in January of 2025.

Give Your Manuscript a Fighting Chance

When it comes to selling your novel, memoir, or story collection, first impressions are crucial. Most agents and publishers will make a decision on whether or not to keep reading your manuscript within the first chapter. If they make it all the way to page 50, you already have a big advantage.

Too often, writers miss the opportunity to land an agent or a publishing deal by making mistakes in the first few chapters.

With the First Fifty Pages critique, you will discover what works in the opening chapters of your manuscript, what doesn't, and how to improve the style, structure, and plot of the opening scenes to give your book the best chance of success.

Please note: This service is offered on a first-come, first served basis and is fully booked through August of 2024, except for existing clients. New clients may purchase the package now to get your manuscript on the calendar.

The  First 50 Pages Critique will help you:

  • Identify sluggish passages in the opening chapters
  • Hook your reader by developing urgency from page one
  • Ground the reader in time and place
  • Punch up the dialogue
  • Clarify what is at stake for the protagonist
  • Answer the critical question, "Whose story is this?"

Frequently asked questions

How do I submit my work?

Submit your manuscript* as a Word file.
Word count: up to 12,500 words
The turnaround time for the critique is two weeks.

How many words is 50 pages?

A manuscript page is about 250-300 words. For this critique, you can submit up to 12,500 words.

What is the turnaround time?

You will receive your critique within three weeks of submission.

How do I get my feedback?

Your critique will be delivered by email. It will include at least two single-spaced pages of written comments, plus in-line editorial and margin notes.
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