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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.

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

The Picture Book Writer's Toolkit
The Picture Book Writer's Toolkit
A$59.00
Junior Fiction Developmental Manuscript Assessment
Junior Fiction Developmental Manuscript Assessment
A$890.00

Expert insight when you need a fresh perspective.

Sometimes you just want to know: Is this working? In your Quick Picture Book Manuscript Review, Suzanne Barton offers an expert high-level review, fast.

You’ll receive:

  • Clear developmental feedback using a structured form

  • Concise, constructive critique on your story concept and structure, including promising elements and opportunities for improvement

  • A simple roadmap for your next round of revisions, with key areas to improve

  • No markups. Just insight, direction and encouragement

This is a high-level review. No in-text markups are included.

Perfect for: Early drafts of picture books (fiction or non-fiction), idea validation and writers who want quick clarity rather than a full assessment.

Turnaround time: 3 to 5 business days

A note on AI and children's writing: I believe children's stories should be created by people, not generated by AI. While technology can have a place in organising ideas or handling practical tasks, the storytelling, language and creative decisions should remain the writer's own.

My assessments are grounded in human judgement, a deep understanding of children's books and a respect for each writer's unique voice. I work with writers on their own creative work, not AI-generated or AI-rewritten manuscripts.

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.