We're excited to offer a new service: Youth Reader. We've add a new member to our team who can provide insight into the youth perspective on your work. HJ is available as a beta reader and story consultant.
Previous clients have said, "HJ has a keen eye for the big picture and the details. She asks clarifying questions so her feedback is on point. It’s clear, direct, encouraging and useful. I never imagined that I would get such brilliant feedback from a young student that I’d never met."
Previous clients have said, "HJ has a keen eye for the big picture and the details. She asks clarifying questions so her feedback is on point. It’s clear, direct, encouraging and useful. I never imagined that I would get such brilliant feedback from a young student that I’d never met."
Have you written a full draft and know the work needs improving but aren't sure how to proceed? We offer feedback on novels of all genres, nonfiction, and memoir and academic work such as dissertations.
Charlotte and Dreux Carpenter are teaming up to offer you a set of options that meets your needs.
Dreux holds an MFA in Writing & Consciousness from the California Institute for Integral Studies, an MA in Writing & Consciousness from New College of California, as well as a BA in Art from Salisbury University.
A few notes on the approach:
We have been doing manuscript consultation/critique for a while now, and we want to share some of my outlook on giving feedback - this can help decide if we are a fit:
• We are writers/readers/editors who believes deeply in the power of the written word to perpetuate or dismantle cultural bias which has a tendency to creep into early drafts without us being aware of it. We see our role as manuscript consultants who bear the responsibility to point out such moments of "creep." This may not pertain to your work at all, but we are now front-loading any editing jobs with this caveat (and Charlotte has had such moments pointed out in her own writing, so she knows the value of such perspective).
• If you happen to write about Native American people, please note that one of Charlotte's degrees is from the Institute of American Indian Arts, and there, it was impressed upon the students to make sure they understood that there are over 500 recognized Native nations, each with distinct cultures and customs, and students were asked to help teach others that generic, monolithic references to “Native Americans” undercuts the vitality and significance of each of these distinct cultures, so Charlotte is upholding her education by pointing this out to any writers she works with.
• We have found that some people come to a manuscript consultation with the expectation that the comments we offer will get the material "print-ready." Instead, what we offer is a perspective that points out strengths and weaknesses, with the understanding that there is still much work to do AFTER the consultation.
We hope these thoughts give you a clearer understanding of how we approach client projects.
Charlotte and Dreux Carpenter are teaming up to offer you a set of options that meets your needs.
Dreux holds an MFA in Writing & Consciousness from the California Institute for Integral Studies, an MA in Writing & Consciousness from New College of California, as well as a BA in Art from Salisbury University.
A few notes on the approach:
We have been doing manuscript consultation/critique for a while now, and we want to share some of my outlook on giving feedback - this can help decide if we are a fit:
• We are writers/readers/editors who believes deeply in the power of the written word to perpetuate or dismantle cultural bias which has a tendency to creep into early drafts without us being aware of it. We see our role as manuscript consultants who bear the responsibility to point out such moments of "creep." This may not pertain to your work at all, but we are now front-loading any editing jobs with this caveat (and Charlotte has had such moments pointed out in her own writing, so she knows the value of such perspective).
• If you happen to write about Native American people, please note that one of Charlotte's degrees is from the Institute of American Indian Arts, and there, it was impressed upon the students to make sure they understood that there are over 500 recognized Native nations, each with distinct cultures and customs, and students were asked to help teach others that generic, monolithic references to “Native Americans” undercuts the vitality and significance of each of these distinct cultures, so Charlotte is upholding her education by pointing this out to any writers she works with.
• We have found that some people come to a manuscript consultation with the expectation that the comments we offer will get the material "print-ready." Instead, what we offer is a perspective that points out strengths and weaknesses, with the understanding that there is still much work to do AFTER the consultation.
We hope these thoughts give you a clearer understanding of how we approach client projects.
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Manuscript Consultation
Single-Reader Consultation (Charlotte) You will receive comments on the following: - Structure (is the story told in its most effective order?) - Pacing (are there scenes that happen too fast, too slow?) - Precision (are the current scenes the ones that render the narrative most effectively - this could mean identifying whether there are missing scenes or scenes that dilute the focus?) - Tension (is there enough to get and keep readers invested?) The write up of these comments generally falls into the 3-5 page range, single-spaced. Double Reader Consultation (Charlotte & Dreux) If you choose this option, both Charlotte & Dreux will independently read your manuscript, then consult together for the write up of your work. |
Manuscript Critique
Single-Reader Critique (Charlotte) The critique includes all the feedback listed in the consultation, plus: - Line edits for flow and accuracy. - A tailored resource list of articles and other works that will most likely improve the overall strength of your material. - A review of 20 revised pages to help you see if you are on the right track. Double-Reader Critique (Charlotte & Dreux) If you choose this option, both Charlotte & Dreux will independently read and critique your manuscrip,t, you will receive a write up of our combined thoughts. |
