In my first chapter critique service, I read your book’s first chapter (up to 4,000 words), adding comments for suggestion/improvement along the way. I focus on areas of confusing or vague writing, inconsistencies, or issues that I have as a first-time reader, and big-picture issues with your story’s conflict, plot development, pacing, point of view/perspective, and character development.
Then, I write an evaluation report (generally about 5 pages long) detailing the issues I saw, as well as suggestions on how to improve. I specifically address any issues I see in the first five pages (the most important pages that should “hook” the reader), and in a section titled Turning the Page, I explain, based on the current state of the first chapter, if the reader is interested enough to continue on to Chapter 2. In the first chapter critique evaluation report, I also recommend next steps for your manuscript—if your book needs line editing, copyediting, or something else.
In the first chapter critique process, I do not do any editing or ghostwriting of any kind.
Please read my guide for information on sample edits, editing packages, rush project options, and the scheduling process.
Questions? Ready to get on the schedule? Contact me!
Book editor Kristen Hamilton is the owner and sole employee of Kristen Corrects, Inc., where she provides manuscript editing services for traditionally and self-publishing authors. Several authors whose books she has edited have won awards and have topped Amazon’s best sellers lists.
Reading is Kristen’s passion, so when the workday is over, she can usually be found curled up with a good book alongside her four cats. She loves watching cat videos and scary movies, eating pizza, teaching herself French, and traveling, and she is likely planning her next vacation. She lives outside of Boise, ID.