Resources for Writers

Critiques

Do you need help polishing your manuscript and bringing it to the next level? Consider getting a professional critique from Lydia!
Why you would benefit:

• Lydia published 50+ books for children and has extensive knowledge of the publishing industry as well as the querying process.
• She has experience critiquing hundreds of picture books, leaving satisfied customers (see testimonials below).
• She’s a volunteer judge at Rate your Story and gives numerous critiques every month for picture books of all genres, from fiction to nonfiction.
• Professional critiques include line editing as well as a detailed big-picture assessment of the overall manuscript and its main elements such as plot, narrative arc, character arcs, emotional resonance, voice, and structure. This includes a summary of both the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript, highlighting how it can be further developed. The turnaround is generally 2 weeks once payment is received.

Pricing:
Critique for a picture book, fiction or nonfiction (no rhyming please), <1000 words: 95$ CAD (70$ USD)
Each additional word: 0.10$ CAD
Second read for the same manuscript: 20$ CAD (15$ USD)
Query critique: 20$ CAD (15$ USD)
Chapter book and easy reader critiques are also available, contact the author for pricing.

Specials:
If you’re a first time client, the first query critique is FREE.
If you’re a member of SCBWI Canada East, one time picture book critiques are at a discounted rate of 50$ CAD.
If you’re interested, please email Lydia to request a critique. Submissions in Word form are preferred.

Testimonials:

“Sending my manuscript to Lydia, has brought out the best in my writing, elevating my manuscript to the next level. Her edit suggestions are purposeful, leaving me confident I am submitting my best work. I cannot thank her enough.”
-Author Robin Martin

“Lydia is clearly a gifted editor with a kind, supportive, and insightful approach to working with her clients. In providing feedback on a chapter book manuscript, Lydia shared her knowledge of writing for children and applied her exceptional editorial skills by highlighting specific examples to my writing. I am grateful to her for the balanced and helpful response to my work.”
-Author Valerie Bean

“As an aspiring picture book author, with no books on the market (yet!), I went to Lydia for help with a manuscript.  She highlighted both the weaknesses and strengths of my story in a way that still left me feeling hopeful about my writing.  I’ve learned that hope is key to any aspiring author, and it’s amazing when you find an editor who leaves you feeling encouraged. Thank you Lydia!”
-Author Rosalyn Yake

For emerging or nonprofessional authors who wrote a book and wonder what to do next, click HERE for a document with useful links and strategies.

Professional organizations for authors
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers
Quebec Writers’ Federation
The Writers’ Union of Canada
Canadian Authors
The Authors Guild

Helpful Blogs and Websites for Writers
Kidlit 411
Sub it Club
Inky Girl
Write for Kids
Institute of Children’s Literature
The Purple Crayon
Rachelle Burk’s Resources for Children’s Writers
Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children’s Books: The Purple Crayon
Writers Help Writers
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre
Trade Book Publishers That Accept Unsolicited Manuscripts
40 Publishers Who Accept Unsolicited Manuscripts

Twitter Pitch PartiesThese are opportunities for writers to pitch their work directly to agents and editors on Twitter. Click on the links below for specific rules.
#PBPitch: PBs only.
#PitMatch: Books for all ages.
#PitMad: Books for all ages.
#FicFest: Children’s Books, MG, YA, NA, and A manuscripts.
#SSFPit: Books for all ages, Science Fiction and Fantasy only.
#KidPit: Children’s books from board books to YA.
#AdPit: NA and A manuscripts.
#Pit2Pub: Books for all ages. It involves publishers rather than agents.
#SonOfAPitch: YA, NA, and A novels.
#PitchWars: Contest where published/agented authors, editors, or industry interns choose one writer each, read their entire manuscript, and offer suggestions to shine it up for agents.
#SunVsSnow: MG, YA, NA and A manuscripts.
#PitchSlam: MG, YA, NA, & A manuscripts. Writers try to get the attention of agents to receive feedback on their work, and revise for final round.
#PassOrPages: Various genres & categories. Contest features feedback on queries and first pages from a panel of agents.
#DVpit: Books for all ages about and especially by marginalized voices.
#RLGL: (Red Light, Green Light) PB, CB, MG & YA. Contest to win a critique of your manuscript.

Other Opportunities & Contests
#MSWL (Manuscript Wish List): Where agents and editors share what they’re looking for.
#NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month): Writers are invited to write a novel in a month and connect with a community of writers and professionals.
#NaPiBoWriWee (National Picture Book Writing Week): Writers are invited to write 7 picture books in 7 days while connecting with a community of writers and professionals.
#RhyPiBoMo (Rhyming Picture Book Month): Writers research rhyming picture books and practice writing them while connecting with a community of writers and professionals.
#Storystorm: Writers are challenged to create 30 picture book concepts in 30 days while connecting with a community of writers and professionals.
#ChaBooCha (The Chapter Book Challenge): Authors are challenged to write a chapter book in 1 month while connecting with a community of writers and professionals.
#12×12: This is a year-long writing challenge where members aim to write 12 complete picture book drafts, one per month, for each 12 months of the year.
#ReFoReMo (Reading for Research Month Challenge): To help picture book writers reform their writing by reading and researching picture books.
#ReviMo (Revise More Picture Books Challenge): Authors of PBs can revise their manuscripts and receive critiques.

Advertisement