The Book Midwife:
Manuscript Evaluations and Story Editing

"Barbara Kyle enlightened me how to mend my wayward chapters, tighten my paragraphs, knock my plot into a compelling story. Sounds simple? Few can do what she has achieved: taking a good amateur writer to the elite chosen few of a top New York agent." Rico Provasoli (San Rafael, California)

“I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done to improve my writing. I believe your insight and advice helped to get my current book SEVEN SONGS OF SUSAN nominated and subsequently win Honourable Mention for the Rupert Hughes Award.” James Lamb (Hamilton, Ontario)

"Your evaluation was wonderful… I think I got Barbara Kyle's Workshop 101 in this process…You treated my story with respect, and have given me a wealth of information for use not only in this story but in any future works." Sharyn Heagle (Ottawa, Ontario)

“I can’t thank you enough for your professional expertise and personal dedication to my book. It’s great working with you.” Susanne Lauten (Newmarket, Ontario)

“Thanks so much for your quick and thorough analysis… Your advice is excellent …This is a wonderful push in the right direction.” Anne Osborne (St. Catharines, Ontario)

"Barbara, I want to let you know how worthwhile I have found your recent critique … I've carefully considered the suggestions you made and have seen the wisdom of incorporating nearly all of them. I appreciate the serious attention you gave to my work." John Jeneroux (London, Ontario)

“I just received the manuscript evaluation and am delighted. This is definitely money well spent. Very helpful.” Jaki Nocolls (Bowen Island, British Columbia)

"Thank you so much for all your hard work and … the very thoughtful and helpful assessment. It was without a doubt the wisest investment I've made on this endeavor." Carrie Rubin (Hudson, Ohio)

"I have received your evaluation of my manuscript, and I can't thank you enough -- you have exceeded my expectations and then some! This is exactly what I need. I had a ‘feeling’ that I didn't have my story quite right, but I couldn't quite put my finger on what many of the problems were. Now I know the things I can do to improve it. Thanks a million!" John Blair (Toronto, Ontario)

For rates, click here.

What Is a Manuscript Evaluation, and Why Do You Need One?

You've finished your novel. First, congratulate yourself. Writing a book is a marathon, and only those who've made it to "The End" understand the determination it requires.

Now, you want to get it published – and therein lies the challenge. When submitting a manuscript in today's tough fiction marketplace you get only one chance with a publisher or literary agent. If they reject it because it needs more work, you won't get another chance with them on that book. You've likely spent at least a year writing it, probably longer, which is a huge investment of time. It’s also an investment of your hopes and dreams: you want this book to sell well and reach a large readership. So, before submitting your manuscript, it pays to have it assessed by a professional.

My agent, Albert Zuckerman, a top New York agent and book doctor to dozens of best-sellers, tells writers in his own book Writing the Blockbuster Novel: "The likelihood of your novel being terrific in every respect the first time you set it down is from slight to nonexistent. Virtually all popular best-selling novelists need and get help from others in enriching their characters and maximizing the drama of their work."

Established authors have an advantage that you don’t: their publishers provide them with editors who pore over their manuscripts and make detailed comments toward revision. In addition, many authors benefit from the fine editorial skills of their agents (in my own case, the wonderful Al Zuckerman). But writers who don't yet have this kind of expert back-up team need to find help elsewhere.

The Myth of Immediate Perfection

There's a pervasive myth that the art of writing flows from inspiration alone; that it shouldn't be "work." Such thinking hobbles true creativity. For most successful writers, the work of revision – of honing the tale – is what they enjoy most. But beginning writers often fall prey to the myth and expect perfection in a first draft. When it falls short they're dispirited, as though they've somehow "failed." Nonsense. Do what experienced and successful writers do: expect that your first draft needs work, seek constructive input, then embrace the task of improving it.

What You Can Expect From a Manuscript Evaluation

I'll show you what you need to do to focus, tighten, and enrich your story. You'll get a multi-page critique that pinpoints your story’s strengths and weaknesses, and offers suggestions for improvement.

Revision is usually about deepening the characters' relationships and tightening the pace. Maybe you need to intensify the conflict between your protagonist and antagonist, or make your main character more empathetic, or enrich a parent-child or husband-wife relationship. Maybe you need to cut the flab in a scene, or focus the POV (point-of-view). Maybe you've written too much telling and not enough showing. All these weaknesses can be fixed, and I'll recommend ways you can do it.

I've been asked: "Do you evaluate manuscripts in a genre or style different than the novels you write?" The answer: Absolutely. I've delivered evaluations for writers of mysteries, romances, thrillers, literary novels, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, and short stories. There are no rules in writing, but certain principles have shaped the art of storytelling for centuries. I apply these time-tested criteria about plot, character, and style (which have helped my own five novels sell well throughout North America) so that you can strategically apply them to your writing.

Writing fiction is an intensely personal venture. The goal is a story that is both compelling and marketable. When you entrust your manuscript to me, I will respect its integrity and help you make it the best it can be.

Manuscript Evaluation and Story Editing Rates

1. Manuscript Evaluation

This Evaluation provides a comprehensive overview of your work's strengths and weaknesses – structure, characterization, dialogue, setting, etc – and offers recommendations for how you can improve and develop the work. Send a complete or partial manuscript. (For the latter, please include a plot synopsis.) Evaluation of a complete manuscript of around 400 pages will cover from five to eight single-spaced pages; for a partial manuscript of around 100 pages it would cover from three to five pages.

Rate: $100 plus $1.25 per page

For example, Evaluation of a 300-page ms costs 100 + (300 x 1.25) = $475

2. Manuscript Evaluation + Annotation

This is a more in-depth examination of your structure, characterization, dialogue, setting, and style. You'll receive a multi-page Evaluation of the work just as in Option #1 above. For a complete manuscript it would cover from five to eight single-spaced pages. Also, I'll write detailed comments in the margins of your manuscript to tell you the specifics of what you're doing well, what needs more work, and why. You'll also get a thorough line-by-line edit – from your book's first page to its final page – to correct any errors and typos. As with Option #1, send a partial manuscript if you prefer.

Rate: $150 plus $3.00 per page

For example, Evaluation + Annotation of a 300-page ms costs 150 + (300 x 3) = $1050

3. Story Editing

The “top gun” treatment. I’ll work with you as your personal editor to hone your book through its next draft. As a first step, you’ll receive an in-depth Manuscript Evaluation + Annotation just as in Option #2 above. Then, once you’ve had a chance to look over my suggestions, we’ll have an editorial conversation by whatever mode you prefer: phone, email, or surface mail. After we establish a mutually agreeable schedule, we’ll continue the critique dialogue so that, periodically, you can discuss with me every detail of the revisions throughout your next draft. Professionals sometimes call the editor in this process a “book doctor.” I prefer to call myself your personal coach. Working together, we’ll get your book into top shape.

Rate: $3,000 to $5,000 depending on the time required to complete an intensive story edit. Note: the fee will be agreed upon before the editing process begins.

4. The Fine Print

• Rates are based on manuscript pages that are double spaced, using Times New Roman or Arial font, 12-point, printed on only one side of the page.

• For manuscripts originating in Canada, GST (6%) will be added to these prices. No GST tax will be added to manuscripts originating in the U.S.

• Rates are commensurate with those of the Writers Union of Canada.

• Turnaround time for Option #1 and Option #2 is two to three weeks, depending on the manuscript length. Turnaround time for Option #3 will be determined after an editor-client discussion to establish a mutually agreeable schedule.

• Payment in full is required for commissions under $600 prior to the commencement of the manuscript evaluation or story editing work. For commissions exceeding $600, one half of the fee is required when the manuscript is submitted, with the balance due upon completion of the work. Please include your check made out to Barbara Kyle with your manuscript.

• To schedule a manuscript evaluation, please e-mail me at bkyle@barbarakyle.com or telephone me at 1.705.549.4438.

Payment may be made through PayPal.
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