Barb Sheridan's Critique Service
As I said on the front page, back when I was starting out in the dinosaur days I was dying to get some feedback on my writing especially from someone more experienced or already published. Paid critique services were far out of my budget. Judging from the prices I've recently seen for the Romantic Times Manuscript Evaluation Service and the Harlequin critique service the cost is still high. (Both charge $100 for 60 pages--First three chapters plus synopsis)
While entering contests via RWA chapters is less expensive often you receive little more than a score sheet with no actual feedback. I'm offering unpublished writers a critique and content edit covering grammar, characterization, and consistency with suggested ways to fix any problem spots.
"And this will cost me how much?"
I'll go over your first three chapter plus synopsis (up to 60 pages) for $40.00, less than half what the large services charge. I'll accept $20 with manuscript submission the remaining $20 upon completion payable via PayPal If you have a novella between 61 and 100 pages I'll look at that for $70 total ( payment terms same as above).
Estimated turnaround time is one week
"And your advice is worth forty bucks because????"
I sold my first book out of the slush pile to Jessica Faust then editor at Berkley/Jove in 1998. That book, Timeless Wish won the NJRW Golden Leaf for Best First Book. My second book was Silver Rain another paranormal romance with Berkley/Jove in 2000.
Family issues took precedence for a few years but I have been publishing steadily since 2005 with such respected publishers as Ellora's Cave, Cerridwen Press, Loose ID, Samhain Publishing, Liquid Silver Books.. My Cerridwen release Bittersweet Surrender was a 2006 EPPIE finalist.
I prefer to look at manuscripts in the areas I'm most familiar with writing--Paranormal romance, mid to late 19th century historicals and erotic romance including m/m . I'll also look at romantic suspense and general mystery.
Format guidelines to follow the industry standard--12 pt font Courier or Times New Roman, double spaced with 1 inch margins all around. The synopsis can be single spaced.
If you have any questions or would like more information please email me
