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Full Picture Book Manuscript Assesment

A$299.00

A comprehensive editorial report for writers pursuing trade contracts or high-quality indie release.

A comprehensive editorial report for writers pursuing trade contracts or high-quality indie release.

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

Thorough support for savvy authors seeking to polish their manuscripts for submission or publication.

You’ll receive:

  • Detailed written feedback using a structured form

  • Extended commentary on promising elements, and areas to improve

  • In-text markups and suggestions

  • Structural and line-level insights

  • Rhyme and metre guidance, if this applies to your story

  • Clear, practical next steps

  • The opportunity to ask follow-up questions in the week after your assessment, if needed

This editorial service is best suited to revised drafts. If you’re still experimenting or early in the process, my quick review or self-editing toolkit may be more appropriate.

Perfect for: Authors with some knowledge of the children’s writing landscape who are preparing polished work for submission to trade publishers, or for high-quality independent release.

Turrnaround time: 5 to 7 business days

Clarity on what's working

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Honest but encouraging feedback

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Actionable revision suggestions

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A stronger manuscript

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Greater confidence in your next steps

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Clarity on what's working ✏ Honest but encouraging feedback ✏ Actionable revision suggestions ✏ A stronger manuscript ✏ Greater confidence in your next steps ✏

  • 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. 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.

    Doug Atkins

Why writers work with me

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.

Over more than 20 years, I’ve wordsmithed for magazines, documentaries, animation, games, musical theatre, festivals, capital-city newsrooms, philanthropy and everything in between.

My greatest passion is storytelling for children. I’d love to help you make your story shine.