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Critiques and Coaching and More

Coaching, and More
A critique helps you consider elements of your story you (and your critique group) may have overlooked. I love helping other writers take their manuscript to the next level in preparation for submission. My writing critiques are caring but detailed.

Writers, before you get a professional critique, you may be interested in using some of these tips and resources for children's writers.

Please note: "Manuscript" refers to manuscript using standard 1-inch margins, double spacing, and 12-point font. Resumes, cover letters, and proposals should be single-spaced. All should be Word documents. Please include "CRITIQUE" in the subject of the email. When emailing your manuscript or other documents for critique, please name the document with your name and the title or topic. It might look like Whipple_Insect_PB or something similar.

Clients Say:

 

A HUGE thank you to Annette Whipple Books [social media handle] for her incredible feedback on my three picture books and cover letter. Her critiques were invaluable, offering not only great suggestions but also providing insight into what the industry is seeking...Thank you, Annette, for your exceptional feedback. Your expertise and insights have been instrumental in shaping my work. For anyone seeking solid critiques from an experienced children's writer, I highly recommend Annette...You won't be disappointed!

- Cindy Lynn Sawyer 

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at the manuscript. This is exactly what I needed to hear. I want to truly thank you again for all of your insight. When I say "insight" I mean all the years of trial and error and learning experiences you have worked hard for that you have laid out for me in an email. 

- John Rodrigues 

You were so thorough and so spot-on! I appreciate your encouragement and suggestions.

Thank you so much for your critique! I have spent the last couple of days working through revisions, and have found your comments and advice to be extremely helpful and actionable!

- Kate Rietema

This is all exactly what I needed! Thanks so much for your feedback! This is all very detailed and helpful! I like your specific suggestions about word choice and how to add/flesh out certain sentences. I also like your thoughts about changing passive verbs to active and writing for magazines.

- Megan Northcote  

I've been studying children's writing for a few years now, and I'm fortunate to be a newly published author. I find that many materials as resources have similar messages, and they do not have much to offer in terms of helping me take my work to the next level. Therefore, I am always looking for people who are good critique and editing sources. Annette met my work exactly where it was. She didn't cover basics that I already knew, but she addressed gaps in my picture book manuscript that I could not see from looking at it so much. She gave me specific notes about varying sentence structure and ideas about potentially better word choices. She provided constructive criticism and praise with equal gentleness and excitement. I would definitely use her critique services again and recommend that others also do!
                                          - Amy R. Murrell 

I hired Annette Whipple to evaluate my work-for-hire packet. Her comments and suggestions for my cover letter, resume and writing samples were on-target. She provided detailed feedback that was understandable, helpful and professional. I feel confident in submitting to an editor for a work-for-hire assignment. I will definitely use Annette's services again.
                                                                                                              -Desiree Webber
 Your notes and talking points are meaningful to improvement of my manuscript. The suggestion to write [my topic’s] story for a magazine is a must. Thank you for inserting that into my to do list. Varying my sentence structure and more emotion are top of the list for revisions. Notes from you on plot and structure about the chapters are ones I will ponder. Your suggestion makes sense. All your comments throughout are valuable. My gratitude for your helpful critique which made me hopeful.
- Melanie 
As I continue to develop as a writer, the importance of having people you can trust to edit my work is becoming more and more essential. Annette Whipple is an insightful editor who offers guidance and encouragement in how your work can be improved without discouraging the work you have poured yourself into.
-Amy K. Radford
I really appreciate the time, attention and detail Annette put into reviewing my picture book manuscript. I was pleasantly surprised to receive an overview letter along with more specific comments within my manuscript. She offered me helpful insights which really helped me to strengthen my story. I found her critique to be appropriately constructive and also encouraging. I would happily recommend working with Annette to fellow writers!
-Lindsey Pope

Picture Book, Chapter Book, and Middle Grade

First Page Critique, $35
Many clients want to know what to expect from a professional critique. For a first page critique, I provide comments within your manuscript just as I would in a full critique. (If you choose to follow this with a full critique within 30 days, you receive a $35 discount on your full critique.) 

Picture Book Critique, $125+
My picture book critiques include strengths and weaknesses as well as suggestions to consider regarding your structure, development, word choice, characters, and more. I write comments in your manuscript and also include an editorial letter with thoughtful notes to help you strengthen your manuscript. I critique both fictional and informational picture books. Fees start at $125 for up to six pages of one double-spaced manuscript. If you want another critique of the same manuscript after you have revised, the second read of the same (6-page) manuscript is $50. 

Please note, I do not critique rhythm and rhyme within manuscripts. 

Picture Book Bundle, $290
Agents need their clients to have a variety of projects ready to pitch to editors, so they want you to have three polished manuscripts before taking you on as client. With this picture book bundle, you receive complete critiques of three picture books as well as one cover letter. 

Cover Letter or Resume Review, $40
I can also review your cover letter to help you get your manuscript noticed. A cover letter review is $40. If you also purchase a manuscript critique at the same time, it is just $30. If you need a writing resume reviewed, I can also do that for $40.

Early Chapter Books, Middle Grade Informational/Nonfiction Critiques
Please contact me about your project. My pricing is $45 per hour.

Proposal Critiques

Standard Proposal Critique, $185
This critique carefully examines the proposal's clarity. Comments in your Word document assist you in expanding, clarifying, and strengthening the proposal's effectiveness and structure along with some word choices (though not a line edit). This includes a multi-page written summary. Optional: Add a 30-minute call for an additional $50.

Premium Proposal Critique, $325
In addition to the standard proposal critique, the premium package includes additional feedback and discussion on all parts of your proposal with a focus on the marketing plan and competitive analysis. This includes a 4-page written summary. Optional: Add a 30-minute call for an additional $25. 

Work-for-Hire Submission Package Critique

Send publishers a WFH submission packet to get writing assignments. The packet typically includes a cover letter, resume, and two short writing samples. Be sure to tell me what approximate grade level you think the sample(s) is for in your heading. (Learn more about writing for educational publishers here.)

Basic WFH Package Critique, $140
The Standard Critique includes an editorial letter with notes about your cover letter, resume, and one writing sample (up to four pages in standard format). Additional comments and line edits are included in your documents. An additional read of the same sample is $50.

Premium WFH Package Critique, $200
The Premium WFH Critique includes two pages of notes about your cover letter, resume, and two writing samples (up to four pages in standard format). Additional comments and line edits are included in your documents. An additional read of the same sample is $50 each.

Crafting and Support WFH Package Critique, $240
The Crafting and Support Critique provides support to help you shape your cover letter and resume. Submit four writing samples, and I'll assist you in choosing your two strongest writing samples (with critiques of the two) to include in your writing packet in addition to 2+ page editorial letter. Additional notes and line edits are included in your documents. We also communicate with a 45-minute phone call, video chat, or additional emails. An additional read of the same sample is $50 each. 

Additional Coaching and Mentoring Services

Do you need some career advice or coaching? I'd love to chat with a meeting. (Email coaching is also available, but some clients find the back and forth of a conversation works best.) 

Would you like more intensive and personal mentoring services? Let's discuss your needs (no commitment)! 

Cost: My coaching calls begin at $50 for 30 minutes or $70 for 45 minutes. 

To best know if I can serve you well as a coach or mentor, please email me at annettemwhipple[at]gmail[dot]com. In your email, let me know what genre you write, how I can best help you, and anything else you would like me to know. 

Teacher Guides

If you need a teacher guide, my prices begin at $400. This typically includes an introduction to the book and questions that can be asked as well as some related activities. (Please note, the guides I wrote for my books include 15-20 activities. I can do that for other authors, but it's a considerable amount of time so the cost is quite high.)

Contact Me

Contact me about your project. Email me at annettemwhipple[at]gmail[dot]com to talk about your needs and our schedules. No commitment necessary!

I am happy to recommend a few other writers who provide affordable critiques if I'm not available or if there is a conflict of interest. 




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