Picture Book Critique Service

Do the first lines grab the reader? Do your characters have strong arcs? Is your ending satisfying? Melissa can help you with your craft!

You’ve brainstormed, drafted, revised, submitted to critique partners, but is your story query ready? Is something not working, but you’re not sure what it is or how to fix it?

Make your story stand out.

If you’re tired of expensive critiques that don’t include inline comments or lack specific, actionable suggestions, this is the critique for you!

Your critique will include inline comments and offer specific suggestions that may focus on:

  • Character

  • theme (heart)

  • plot

  • tension/pacing

  • showing & not telling

  • rereadability

  • strength of your beginning/ending

  • dialogue

  • suggestions for alternative wording where applicable

Credentials:

Melissa’s debut picture book will be released in the spring of 2024 Margaret K. McElderry of Simon & Schuster.

She’s been writing for 10+ years, attended over 100 conferences and webinars through SCBWI, The Highlights Foundation, Andrea Brown Literary Agency Big Sur Cape Cod, and Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature (RUCCL) mentee ‘22, SCBWI EPA mentee ‘22. She’s taken classes through Children’s Book Academy and The Writing Barn, and has won online writing contests and a scholarship through The Highlights Foundation.

Melissa has been an active member in many critique groups over the years and knows what it takes to give a kind, and most importantly, helpful critique.

Lastly, Melissa knows what kids like to read! She has two young children and taught elementary school for 14 years.

Offering $40 Critiques with inline comments for:

  • non-rhyming picture books (fiction and info fiction)

  • 900 words or less (not counting art notes & back matter)