First Chapter Critique

The first chapter is often one of the most important parts of your novel, making a strong first impression on readers, agents, and publishers alike. The First Chapter Critique is designed to strengthen your opening by reviewing elements such as hook, pacing, characterisation, tension, and tone. Whether you’re self-publishing or querying, this service will help ensure your manuscript starts as strongly as possible.

Cost: AUD$75 flat rate (up to 4,000 words)

Included in the service:

• A comprehensive critique of your opening chapter (up to 4,000 words)
• A detailed, 2+ page editorial appraisal outlining your manuscript’s strengths, areas for improvement, and recommended next steps
• In-line comments throughout the manuscript
• Assessment of your hook and opening pages
• Feedback on pacing, tension, and reader engagement
• Review of charactersation, point of view, and narrative voice
• Feedback on world-building and setting (where applicable)
• Observations on language, flow, tense consistency, and readability

Developmental Edit

The Developmental Edit looks beyond individual sentences to examine the foundations of your story. Whether you’re preparing to query agents or self-publish your novel, this service provides in-depth feedback on your manuscript’s structure, pacing, characters, and overall storytelling. Together, we’ll strengthen your novel’s foundation so every scene contributes to a compelling and cohesive reading experience.

Cost: AUD$0.029 per word

Included in the service:

• A comprehensive developmental edit of your manuscript
• A detailed, 8+ page editorial appraisal outlining your manuscript’s strengths, areas for improvement, and recommended next steps
• In-line comments throughout the manuscript
• Review of plot structure and story progression
• Feedback of character arcs, motivation, and development
• Assessment of pacing, tension, and scene effectiveness
• Feedback on point of view, narrative voice, and consistency
• Observations on world-building and setting
• Review of theme, tone, and reader engagement
• Identification of plot holes, inconsistencies, and continuity errors

Line & Copy Edit

The Line & Copy Edit combines two closely related editorial services. A line edit focuses on clarity, flow, voice, and sentence structure, while a copy edit ensures grammar, spelling, punctuation, and consistency are accurate throughout your manuscript. Together, these services refine your writing to improve readability while preserving your unique voice.

Cost: AUD$0.029 per word

Included in the service:

• A comprehensive line and copy edit of your manuscript
• A detailed editorial report outlining your manuscript’s strengths, areas for improvement, and recommended next steps
• In-line comments and tracked changes throughout the manuscript (Microsoft Word or Google Docs required)
• Feedback on clarity, flow, and readability
• Review of sentence structure and word choice
• Assessment of narrative voice
• Correction of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and syntax.
• Review of formatting consistency
• Correction of typographical errors and minor inconsistencies

Proofread

Before your manuscript is submitted to an agent, publisher, or printer, it deserves one last review. The Proofread is the final stage in the editorial process, focusing on grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and minor inconsistencies. This service is designed to ensure your manuscript is polished, professional, and ready for publication.

Cost: AUD$0.015 per word

Included in the service:

• A comprehensive proofread of your manuscript
• A summary letter
• In-line corrections throughout the manuscript
• Correction of spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Identification of minor inconsistencies and repeated words
• Review of capitalisation and hyphenation
• Formatting and consistency checks
• Correction of typographical errors

Manuscript Appraisal

Less in-depth than a Developmental Edit, the Manuscript Appraisal is a complete read-through of your manuscript, offering a general overview of your story’s current strengths, opportunities for improvement, and overall readiness.

Cost: AUD$0.017 per word

Included in the service:

• A comprehensive manuscript appraisal of your manuscript
• A detailed 5+ page editorial appraisal outlining your manuscript’s strengths, areas for improvement, and recommended next steps
• Assessment of plot, structure, pacing, and overall storytelling
• Feedback on characters, point of view, and narrative voice
• Review of world-building and setting
• Identification of your manuscript’s strengths and priority areas for development
• Market readiness & target audience observations

Packages Available

Every manuscript has different needs. If you’re interested in combining multiple editorial services, customised packages are available and can provide better value than booking each service individually. Get in touch below to discuss your manuscript and receive a personalised recommendation and quote.