Tag Archives: manuscript critique

Auction #23 – KidLit Cares: Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Author Jennifer Fosberry

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Jennifer Fosberry is a science geek turned children’ book writer. After working in the high tech industry in Silicon Valley and running away to Costa Rica for a few years, she returned to the San Francisco Bay area to read, write, and try to get out of housework. She lives with her husband and three children and finally got a puppy.

Jennifer Fosberry, bestselling author of My Name is Not Isabella and Isabella Girl on the Go is offering a picture book manuscript critique for an aspiring picture book author.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #18 – KidLit Cares: Picture Book/15 Page Manuscript Critique and Phone Call with Editor Alvina Ling

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Alvina Ling is Executive Editorial Director at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

The winner of this auction will receive a manuscript critique (full picture book text, or 15-pages of a longer work), plus a 20 minute phone call to discuss the manuscript and/or the publishing business.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #16 – KidLit Cares: 20 Page Manuscript Critique and Signed Books from Author Janet Fox

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Janet Fox writes award-winning fiction and non-fiction for children of all ages. Her young adult debut novel, FAITHFUL (Speak/Penguin Group, 2010) is an Amelia Bloomer List pick, and is followed by a companion novel, FORGIVEN (Speak, 2011), a Junior Library Guild selection and WILLA Literary Award Finalist, and her newest YA novel, SIRENS (Speak, 2012). She is a 2010 graduate of the MFA/Writing for Children and Young Adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts and a former high school English teacher. Janet and her husband and son recently moved from College Station, Texas, to Bozeman, Montana, where her son is a college student and Janet and her husband enjoy the mountain vistas.

The winner of this auction will receive a careful critique of the first 20 pages of your middle grade or young adult novel manuscript, plus signed copies of FAITHFUL, FORGIVEN, and a signed first edition of SIRENS.

Opening Bid: $40

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #14 – KidLit Cares: 100 Page Manuscript Critique from Author Eric Berlin

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Eric Berlin is the author of “The Puzzling World of Winston Breen” (starred review, Booklist; Fuse #8’s Best Mystery of 2007; multiple state reading list nominations), “The Potato Chip Puzzles” (nominated to a half-dozen state reading lists), and most recently “The Puzzler’s Mansion.”

Eric Berlin is offering to read and critique up to 100 pages of your novel, for kids, teens, or adults. Eric’s detailed e-mail response will discuss both the strengths of the work as well as make suggestions for further improvements. He is happy to have a brief e-mail conversation for clarification, to make sure all your questions are answered.

Opening Bid: $30

This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #12 – KidLit Cares: 30 Page Manuscript Critique from Author Rachele Alpine

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Rachele Alpine is a high school teacher by day, a MFA fiction writing student by night and use any free time in between to write, write, write! Her debut novel CANARY is coming out August 2013. She blogs at: http://www.rachelealpine.com

Often when agents request a partial, they want to see your first 30 pages. I’m donating a critique of your first 30 pages to make sure your manuscript is query ready! This critique will include comments as I’m reading and feedback on the piece as a whole. *I will also fill in a CANARY swag pack of goodies.

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #10 – KidLit Cares: Manuscript Critique and Call with Author Melinda Metz

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Melinda Metz is the author of over 60 books for teens and middle-grade readers, including the Roswell High series (basis for the TV show Roswell), and the Echoes series. With oft-time writing partner, Laura J. Burns, she is the author of the Edgar-nominated Wright & Wong middle-grade mystery series, and the YA vampire books CRAVE and SACRIFICE. They were also on the writing staff of Roswell and 1-800-Missing. Before she made the leap into writing, Melinda was an editor, first at Berkley Publishing, then at Parachute Publishing.

From Melinda: “I’ll read your middle-grade or YA manuscript, then call you to give you my critique, answer questions, and/or brainstorm. Don’t have a manuscript yet? I’ll be happy to call and answer your writing and publishing questions, and brainstorm with you to help you come up with or refine a project. Or we can just talk about Roswell 😉 45 min call.”

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #7 – KidLit Cares: Picture Book Critique and Signed Book From Author and Former Editor Susan Hood

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Susan is the author of three brand-new picture books out this fall. Before launching a full-time writing career, Susan was the Children’s Content Director of Nick Jr. Magazine, where she edited original stories by the winners of the Caldecott Medal, the Coretta Scott King Book Award and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award. Before that, Susan was a children’s book editor at Sesame Workshop, and a children’s magazine editor at Scholastic and Instructor Magazine for early childhood educators. See more information at http://www.susanhoodbooks.com

Susan will provide a written critique of a 32 page picture book and a free signed copy of one of her new picture books out this fall.

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #6 – KidLit Cares: 5 page Manuscript Critique and Phone Call from Agent Michelle Wolfson

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Michelle Wolfson formed Wolfson Literary Agency in 2007 and is actively seeking authors of commercial fiction and non-fiction. She is drawn to well written material with strong interesting characters. For more information, please visit her website at www.wolfsonliterary.com

The winner of this auction will receive 5 page manuscript critique and a follow up 20 minute phone call.

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #4 – KidLit Cares: Manuscript Critique & Call with Publishing Director Wendy Lamb

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Wendy Lamb is the publishing director of Wendy Lamb Books at Random House, and publishes middle grade and YA novels. She edited the Newbery Medal books BUD, NOT BUDDY by Christopher Paul Curtis and WHEN YOU REACH ME by Rebecca Stead, as well as the Printz Award winner, HOW I LIVE NOW by Meg Rosoff.

Wendy will read 3 chapters and a synopsis of a middle grade or YA novel, provide 2-3 pages of editorial comments, and a 15-minute follow-up call to discuss comments. Winning bidder to send chapters and synopsis after December 15 and Wendy will respond in early January.

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>

Auction #2 – KidLit Cares: Manuscript Critique Package from Hannah Barnaby and Kate O’Sullivan

Welcome to KidLit Cares, an online talent auction to benefit the Red Cross relief effort to help communities recover from Superstorm Sandy. KidLit Cares was started by the very awesome Kate Messner, but I’m taking over Round 2. Agents, editors, authors, illustrators and other generous people have donated various services to be auctioned off to the highest bidder, with donations being made directly to the Red Cross disaster relief fund. You can read more about KidLit Cares here.

Now, on to the auction!

Hannah Barnaby is the author of WONDER SHOW, a young adult novel that was published by Houghton Mifflin earlier this year. A former children’s book editor and writing instructor, she holds an MA in Children’s Literature from Simmons College as well as an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College. Kate O’Sullivan is an executive editor at Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. As the editor of WONDER SHOW, THE QUIET BOOK, and GRAVE MERCY (among others), her tastes range from voice-driven YA to emotive picture books with a variety of styles and approaches.

Hannah and Kate are offering a manuscript critique package for a picture book or three chapters of a novel. Hannah will read and critique your manuscript and provide detailed feedback; she will then read a revision of the material before passing it along to Kate at Houghton Mifflin Books for Children. Kate will review your manuscript and send a personal response. This could be your chance to get your name on the agenda of an editorial meeting at one of the best-respected publishers in the business!

Opening Bid: $30

*Note: Due to Thanksgiving, we have added an extra day to this auction. This auction closes at 10pm Eastern Standard Time on November 23. Any bids placed after that time will be void.

If you’d like to bid on this auction, check the current high bid and place a higher bid by leaving your name and bid amount in the comments, along with some way to contact you (email, FB or Twitter…I’m not fussy.) Winners will be notified when the auction ends and should be prepared to make an online donation to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund in the amount of the high bid at that time.  After you’ve made your donation, you’ll forward your receipt to me, and I’ll put you in touch with the person who donated the service you won so that the two of you can work out the details about how and when.   All services will be provided at the convenience of both the person making the donation and the auction winner, but this should happen within three months of the auction’s end unless something else is agreed upon by both parties.

Good luck and thanks for your help!

Tip: if you’re bidding, you may want to subscribe to the follow-up comments, so you can get notice of future bids. Subscribe via RSS on the right. —>