CONTEST CLOSED!
It’s time for our monthly critique contest, and we have a new guest editor to introduce you to! Those of you who are familiar with Critiques 4 U know that last year, Sara Letourneau of Heart of the Story was kind of enough to offer some critiques. This month, developmental editor April D. Brown is offering to share her insight on first pages.
April D. Brown helps authors reach for hidden and lost opportunities within their works. As a developmental editor, she helps authors identify missing pieces and overdone parts. She works through consistency and plot issues, including the time line, characters, and an in-depth review of already written stories.
Her editing strengths are nonfiction and coming of age, science fiction, and apocalyptic/dystopian. Visit her website for more information, or find her on Twitter.
When I realized that April specialized in developmental edits, I knew that single-page submissions weren’t going to give her much to work with. So for this month’s contest, instead of giving away the usual three first-page critiques, we’re choosing one winner, and April will offer feedback on their first five pages.
I’m excited about the chance to switch up our monthly contest and offer you something a little bit different. So if you’ve completed your first five pages and would like some objective feedback, please leave a comment. Any comment :). As long as the email address associated with your WordPress account/comment profile is up-to-date, we’ll be able to contact you if you’re chosen. Just please know that if we’re unable to get in touch with you through that address, you’ll have to forfeit your win.
A few caveats:
- For this month’s contest, April is looking for genres other than romance. She also doesn’t edit severe abuse stories or those containing violence (some survivor fiction is acceptable).
- Please be sure your submission is ready to go so April can critique it before next month’s contest rolls around. If your opening needs some work and you won’t be able to submit it right away, let me ask that you plan on entering the next contest once any necessary tweaking has been taken care of.
One commenter’s name will be randomly drawn and posted tomorrow morning. If you win, April will be in contact to get your opening pages and offer her feedback.
We run this critique contest on a monthly basis, so if you’d like to be notified when the next opportunity comes around, consider subscribing to our blog (see the left-hand sidebar).
Best of luck!
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Only recently, I’ve discovered your blog and resources for writers, useful and inspiring. A serious critique of my first 5 pages would mean a lot to me.
HI! I would be most appreciative of April Brown’s feedback. I am new to this and I welcome her support.
Thank you, Laura
I think this all happened while I was zzzzz-ing in Australia! Oh well – a great nudge all the same. We got a mini checklist for our own edits: “….. reach for hidden and lost opportunities…, identify missing pieces and overdone parts, (look for) consistency and plot issues, including the time line, characters….’ thank you April, Becca and WITS. Congrats to RGZ.
Thanks so much for entering this special edition of our contest, everyone! The winner of April’s 5-page developmental edit is R.G. Ziemer!
I’m so happy to see all of your working so hard to improve your writing and make your books the best they can be. You all are killing it! Keep up the good work, and I’ll see you next month!
Thank you for volunteering your time for this contest. My Portal Fantasy is ready for you input.
Thank you for this opportunity! I’d love feedback on my MG speculative novel.
Thanks for the opportunity. I would love feedback on my adult thriller (since she doesn’t want romance.)
I’ve been working on a Fictional book and would love the opportunity to have a professional editor critique my work. This work has truly been my baby and I know I would benefit greatly from an experienced editor.
Thank you for this opportunity
Thanks for offering the opportunity.
Looking forward to the critique — good luck to all.
Winning a critique would be excellent!!
I would be delighted to win this as my first 5 pages are ready to go.
Thanks for the opportunity!
Good Morning ladies,
I have a Young Adult paranormal that would love some experienced eyes looking over the start. Thanks for the opportunity.
Thank you for the opportunity!
I’m in! I have a ghost story (no violence) and would love to have a critique of my opening pages. Love this blog! So helpful. Best to all, Paula Cappa
In fiction, Patient and family are well represented. Are the doctors? How does a cardiologist face the intense pressure while treating a critically ill patient? A theme I develop from personal experience.
Thank for the opportunity, I write fantasy middle grade.
Thanks for the opportunity. I have a fantasy novel.
I have a Middle Grade fantasy. I’d love some feedback.
I have a Middle Grade fantasy that I’d love to get feedback on!
How great! I have five pages burning a hole in my virtual pocket …
What an amazing opportunity for the winner, and of course I hope I’m that winner.
I would love to have April critique my first 5 pages of my current WIP.
Great opportunity! The opening pages of one of my manuscripts have been worked over with others (CPs and professionals) several times but I feel like there’s definitely some potential they’re not reaching.
I am always looking for an excellent editor and would be thrilled to receive constructive criticism on my first five pages.
The first page critique of my novel was very helpful. I’d love the chance to have the following pages looked at.
I would love to have my first five pages considered!
Working diligently on my women’s fiction. An opportunity for feedback is always welcome. Continuous learning is my mantra.
My story is about Elijah in the Bible vs. human traffickers.
I’m a novice at fiction and see huge problems with my prose but not the solutions.
I need all the help I can get.
Thanks for the opportunity. I’d love to win an edit of my Historical Fiction middle grade novel.