Professional feedback to help your children’s book manuscript stand out

Get expert feedback from an internationally published author, experienced editor and rhyme specialist with 20+ years of experience. Identify what's working, what's holding your story back, and the revisions needed to make it ready for submission or high-qualiy indie release.

  • Internationally published author

    Get personalised guidance from an author with picture books and junior fiction novels published by leading trade and educational publishers. Browse Suzanne’s books.

  • Experienced senior editor

    Stengthen your story with strategic, uplifting feedback from an editor with 20+ years of experience and a savvy creative and commercial mindset.

  • Publishing and industry insight

    Identify cross-format opportunities through your editor’s dynamic experience as a writer and producer for screen, stage, games and digital platorms.

Manuscript assessment testimonials

  • 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.

    Zoe Gaetjens
    Published children’s and YA author, high-school English teacher

  • 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.

    Theresa M Tay

  • Wow! What a comprehensive critique! I was not even expecting so many constructive and encouraging comments. 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.

    Doug Atkins

Manuscript assessment options

Quick Picture Book Manuscript Assessment Quick Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
Quick Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
A$149.00

A fast, focused review to help you understand what’s working and what isn’t in your picture book manuscript.

Full Picture Book Manuscript Assessment Full Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
Full Picture Book Manuscript Assessment
A$299.00

A comprehensive editorial report for picture book writers preparing for submission or self-publishing.

The Picture Book Writer's Toolkit
The Picture Book Writer's Toolkit
A$59.00

Professional tools to help you write and self-edit high-quality picture book texts. Explore 30 slides with links to video and audio lessons, resources and templates.

Junior Fiction Developmental Manuscript Assessment Junior Fiction Developmental Manuscript Assessment
Junior Fiction Developmental Manuscript Assessment
A$890.00

Professional developmental feedback and high-level editing for authors working on chapter book and junior fiction manuscripts.

Popular blog posts

Blog
A picture book editor’s guide to rhyme and metre
A picture book editor’s guide to rhyme and metre

Stand out from the 'slush pile' by making your rhyming children's book the best it can be. Get to grips with watertight metre and consistent structure.

Read more →
Five reasons publishers reject picture book manuscripts (and how to avoid them)
Five reasons publishers reject picture book manuscripts (and how to avoid them)

I love helping picture book writers strengthen their stories. But over many years of reviewing manuscripts, I’ve noticed that writers often fall into the same traps. Here are my top five editorial tips that make stories shine.

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Tips from a picture book editor: how to use illustration notes in your manuscript
Tips from a picture book editor: how to use illustration notes in your manuscript

You might imagine your draft picture book’s artwork vividly. However, being too prescriptive in your illustration notes can be problematic for your pitches to publishers. Here’s how to use them wisely.

Read more →

Picture Book Writer’s Toolkit reviews

  • I have read many writing books and magazines in my time. This toolkit is succinct and inspiring and well worth revisiting when about to tackle an idea for a book.

    Alexander Mowatt
    ★★★★★

  • Thank you for sharing your pro-writing tips in a simple and engaging fashion. I appreciate the ability to move at my own pace. I am able to listen, take notes, and download files without fear of missing something important. Thank you for adding the helpful links at the end of the course, too.

    Susan Jobsky
    ★★★★★

  • The toolkit was packed with information to guide new authors on the pathway to publishing their first book.

    Shirley Burns
    ★★★★★

Meet your editor

“I’ve been enchanted by stories since I was a child and I’ve been lucky enough to make a career out of writing and editing. I’ve wordsmithed for books, magazines, documentaries, animation, games, musical theatre, festivals, capital-city newsrooms, philanthropy and everything in between. I’d love to help you make your story shine.”
— Suzanne