Poetry Critiques & Manuscript Evaluations Include:
 

• Careful readings of your poems, chapbook, poetry book, children’s
  picture book text, or the book proposal for your fiction or nonfiction
   
• Objective but personal response to your work by Mary Sayler
   
• Honest assessment of reader appeal and marketability
   
• Practical, workable suggestions for you to consider as you revise
   
• Editorial input and textual corrections of minor mistakes are included in
  the fees below too, but no rewrites of your work are available through this service. Poets and writers learn to write well by receiving input, learning from their mistakes, practicing their strengths, and revising their own work.
   

Poetry Critique: Double-space each poem on a separate page. Include a title, line count, and your name. If you used a traditional form such as a ballad, haiku, sonnet, villanelle, sestina, or pantoum, identify the poem accordingly.

• Professional response to a single poem of 2 to 25 lines, $7.50 (NOTE: Add 50 cents per line for additional lines in a poem longer than 25 lines.)
   
• Professional response to a batch of 5 or more poems, $5.00 each poem
   
• Professional response to your poetry chapbook or book of poems with the title, theme, page numbers, and potential readers, $3.50 per poem
   

Critique of Children’s Picture Book Text: Typically a children’s picture book manuscript has 300 to 1000 words on one subject with one theme and purpose.

• Specify the age group for whom you’re writing.
   
• For nonfiction include a bibliography of your resources used for research.
   
• Do not send any artwork, but do provide a sentence or two describing the illustrations that you envision for each page.
   
• Type the text for each page below your art descriptions.
   
• For a critique of the complete picture book text with ideas for art, $35.00.
   

Critique of Book Proposal: A critique of your novel synopsis or the outline for your nonfiction book lets you know if you’re on the right track. This evaluation also saves you the expense of a time-consuming critique of a full manuscript.

For a novel, write a synopsis of the book in the present tense (as though it is happening now) within 2 to 10 pages.

For a nonfiction book, outline the book with chapter headings and a sentence or two about what each chapter will include.

• For your critique of either a fiction or nonfiction book proposal, include a brief statement about your theme, purpose, and intended readers.
   
• Briefly tell how your book is unique or might fill a gap.
   
• Write a short paragraph that shows why you’re the person to write this book. For example, briefly tell about your relevant experiences, education, training, or concern that lead you to write the book.
   
• Include your outline or synopsis, the first chapter and additional double-spaced, numbered pages for a total of no more than 30 pages, $90.00.

NOTE: With each critique, double-space each page
and include this important information:

• Your name
• Full mailing address
• Email address 
• Title for each poem or manuscript
• Readership, age group, or intended market
• The form or genre in which you’re writing
• Total word count for children’s picture book
• Total line count for each poem
• Total page count for manuscripts and book proposals

Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) large enough & with enough postage for the return of your work. Also enclose your check or money order payable to Mary Sayler, P.O. Box 62, Lake Como, FL 32157.

 What Do Other Poets & Writers Say?
 
“I received your critique yesterday. Thank you for your suggestions and corrections. Your comments were very helpful and made good sense.
I would like to send you another 60 poems.”
 

Many regards,
Alexej (Germany)

 

“Hi, Mary. You're too kind. I have a lot
to learn. If you ever need a testimonial,
I'd be delighted to supply one: Sound insights and savvy advice. Could
not have asked
for more.”

Best Wishes,
Don (OK)

 

“You are a gift, Mary! I really learn from your expertise, and it's amazing how things pop out at me after you gently point them out. I'm learning.”

God Bless,
Karen (Ohio)

 

“Dear Mary, How exciting it is to work with you. I almost said fun. You have a Midas touch with words. I thank you for your good offices. You are very kind.”

Carlos (MD)