Children's Book Manuscript Assessment & Editing
Get insightful editorial advice on your draft picture book or chapter book. This service welcomes children’s authors of all experience levels seeking to polish their story before they submit to publishers or pursue self-publishing. Pricing is determined by story type and length. If you are seeking editorial support for longer projects, please contact Suzanne. If you're new to children's writing, the How to Write a Picture Book Mini Course is a good place to start. The course also includes a manuscript assessment.
Please note, Suzanne is taking a break between 1 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. You can still submit your story, but you won’t receive your feedback until at least mid-January.
Children's Book Manuscript Assessment & Editing
Get insightful editorial advice on your draft picture book or chapter book. This service welcomes children’s authors of all experience levels seeking to polish their story before they submit to publishers or pursue self-publishing. Pricing is determined by story type and length. If you are seeking editorial support for longer projects, please contact Suzanne. If you're new to children's writing, the How to Write a Picture Book Mini Course is a good place to start. The course also includes a manuscript assessment.
Please note, Suzanne is taking a break between 1 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. You can still submit your story, but you won’t receive your feedback until at least mid-January.
How to submit your story
Purchase a manuscript assessment on this page.
Submit your story using the Submissions form.
Turnaround time for feedback is around two weeks. Please note, Suzanne is taking a break between 1 December 2024 to 5 January 2025. You can still submit your story, but you won’t receive your feedback until at least mid-January.
What to expect
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.
Clear feedback on your story copy, including aspects such as language, characterisation, narrative flow, dialogue and structure.
Depending on the readiness of the manuscript, picture book assessments may also include detailed suggested line edits.
Chapter book assessments are higher-level, focusing on overarching plot clarity, writing conventions and audience suitability.
If you have a picture book that is written in rhyme, Suzanne will provide thorough feedback on rhyme and metre. The tiered pricing reflects the extra time it takes to properly review rhyming stories.
A short video talking you through the mark-ups on your manuscript.
How to get the most out of your assessment
Polish your manuscript as much as you can. This helps Suzanne ‘hear’ your voice as a writer, understand the intent of your story and provide more valuable feedback. Ideally, Suzanne will not be the first person to have read your story. Peer critique groups, which can be found through SCBWI or your local writers’ centre, can provide invaluable support through your journey as a writer.
Include any specific queries or concerns you have about your story in your Submission form.
For picture books
If you’re new to writing picture books, consider taking Suzanne’s self-paced How to Write a Picture Book Mini Course. which also includes a manuscript assessment.
If you have a picture book manuscript that is written in rhyme, please read Suzanne’s Guide to rhyme and metre in picture books and try your best to perfect your metre before submitting your story.
Check that your story follows standard conventions. For picture books, these conventions usually include:
under 500 words
child or childlike protagonist
clear central challenge and story arc
minimal characters and dialogue.
Browse more advice for aspiring children’s authors on Suzanne’s blog.
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.”
Learn the basics of writing picture books, and get to grips with trade and indie publishing pathways. This virtual, self-paced course includes a comprehensive picture book manuscript assessment, plus bonus modules on self-publishing and marketing strategy.