Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
Get insightful editorial advice to help polish your draft picture book before you submit it to publishers, or pursue self-publishing. This service is suitable for aspiring, emerging and experienced writers.
What to expect
Clear and detailed editorial feedback on your story copy, including aspects such as language, characterisation, narrative flow, dialogue and structure.
If your story is written in rhyme, I will provide thorough feedback on rhyme and metre. My tiered pricing reflects the extra time it takes to properly review rhyming stories.
Overarching feedback on elements such as your manuscript’s age-group suitability, theme, purpose, impact, potential commercial appeal and avenues to pursue for publication.
Uplifting, constructive and actionable insights to take forward into your future stories, with encouragement to maintain and enhance your unique voice.
A five-minute video talking your through the mark-ups on your manuscript.
how to get the most value out of your manuscript assessment
Polish your manuscript as much as you can. This helps me ‘hear’ your voice as a writer, understand the intent of your story and provide more valuable feedback.
If your manuscript is written in rhyme, please read my Guide to rhyme and metre in picture books.
Check that your story follows the standard conventions of a picture book. For example:
under 500 words
child or childlike protagonist
clear central challenge and story arc
minimal characters and dialogue.
Consider taking my short How to Write a Picture Book course, which is hosted on a learning platform called Thinkific. This course includes a picture book manuscript assessment.
Browse more advice for aspiring children’s authors on my blog.
Include any specific queries or concerns you have about your story in your submission form.
Testimonials
“I am delighted with Suzanne’s suggestions and edits to my picture book manuscript. It is an eye-opening, nurturing and uplifting experience. Suzanne is very efficient, professional and committed to making a story work. She has a sharp eye for detail and her comments are spot on. She addressed issues in areas such as the structure, pacing, and interaction between words and pictures, and provided excellent suggestions. Suzanne works wonders with the hook and synopsis too. Her clear explanations have helped me improve as a writer.”
“Suzanne Barton assesses each story in its entirety looking at narrative flow, the mood of the manuscript and the effectiveness of the piece as a whole. In addition, Suzanne has an editor’s eye for detail. Not only will she point out problem areas within your work, she will make suggestions to improve these. Suzanne is gentle in her criticism and overt in her encouragement. Her enthusiasm for ‘kidlit’ shines through each critique, inspiring you to continue creating.”
“Wow! What a comprehensive critique! I was not even expecting so many constructive and encouraging comments. You put a lot more into this than the worth of what little you charged. A great investment on my part. And your analysis of the book’s commercial appeal was pure gold, to use a cliché. Thank you so much.”
