*PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES*
available from a traditionally-published Picture Book Author
in both fiction and non-fiction.
Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, 2019) and Let’s Eat: Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019) as well as two pending books in the series and more, forthcoming.
She's contributed to Family Fun's Games on the Go (Hyperion, 1998).
She's published magazine articles with Highlights for Children, Highlights High Five,
Highlights Hello, Spider Magazine, Family Fun,
Writer's Digest, Writer's Journal and more.
She's been professional book reviewer for book review journals
like Riverbank Review and KLIATT.
An extensive resume can be provided upon request.
Lynne Marie is a member of SCBWI Florida (and has been on SCBWI Florida Boot Camp, Workshop and Critique Faculty). She's the Spotlight Feature Columnist for Children's Book Insider, a 12 x 12 Critique Ninja (2018 and 2019), and a Rate Your Story Judge (2017, 2018 and 2019). She was a Cybils Elementary / Middle Grade Non-Fiction First Round Judge for 2018 and a Picture Book First Round Judge for 2017 and 2016.
When she's not travelling around the world for her job as a Travel Agent with Pixie Vacations, she lives on a lake in South Florida with her daughter, son, a Schipperke named Anakin and several resident water birds. You can learn more about her at www.LiterallyLynneMarie.com.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE:
I will be out of the country from 7/4 - 7/21/19 and will have limited and/or intermittent Internet access AND will be touring several countries. This will affect the return of any critiques received during this time-frame. Turnaround during this time is NOT guaranteed, but I will do my best given scheduling and access.
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5/29/19 - Aforementioned fabulous client is going to acquisitions! Fingers crossed!
5/15/19 - Another one of my fabulous clients has received an offer from a terrific publisher on a manuscript we worked on together! WOO HOO!!!
5/2/19 - Another one of my fabulous clients has received a Revise and Resubmit from an editor from one of the Big Five on a manuscripts we worked on together! YAY!!!
PLEASE READ THIS POST IN ITS ENTIRETY.
Pricing is SUBJECT TO CHANGE, so take advantage by purchasing critique packages, which will price protect you. These can be purchased now and used now OR in the future (see expiration date).
Any unused critiques expire on December 15, 2019 (no exceptions) and will not carry into the new year. December critiques must be submitted on or before December 10, 2019.
Please note: NEW Critique PURCHASE Requests *MAY* be sent after December 15th, of course, but a quick turnaround is not guaranteed and need pre-approval as far as return dates prior to December 30, 2019.
TERMS: Payment must be received prior to services rendered, in the form of
Venmo (@Lynne-Marie-1)
Friends and Family Paypal OR
Paypal with Fees (LiterallyLynneMarie@Gmail.com). Please note that this pricing is already heavily reduced, so I need to receive the correct payment quote, not a reduced payment with paypal fees taken out.
VENMO: www.venmo.com/Lynne-Marie-1
PAYPAL: paypal.me/LiterallyLynneMarie
PLEASE NOTE: If you send the wrong amount by sending Paypal Goods and Services without adding on the Extra Fees, you will need to send a 2nd amount to correct the amount. So please be careful when sending. Either FRIENDS AND FAMILY or PAYPAL FOR GOODS AND SERVICES PLUS FEES (which I believe are around .30 plus 2.9% per transaction) or VENMO (a Paypal App) will be accepted.
(SALE) FICTION PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE
COST: $35.00 per picture book (Full Manuscript up to 650 Words) - See below for *over-the-limit* fees. This includes full line edits plus overall big picture comments. It does not include a query letter, or pitch unless you pay for one as an add-on feature.
NOTE: You can buy more than one of these and get a discount if you PRE-PAY at the time of your first order. For example, $130.00 will get you four (4) Picture Book Critiques on account.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OVER THE LIMIT FEES -- See "Word Count." Manuscripts up to 650 Words. Send in an additional payment if your manuscript goes over the limit. There is a $5 surcharge for the first block of up to 150 additional words and $10 for the additional blocks. This is because picture books should not come in at 900-1000 words, and if they do, there is usually much more wrong that word count and the critique will take a great deal more of my time.
(SALE) NON-FICTION PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE
COST: $40.00 per picture book (Full Manuscript up to 650 Words) - See below for *over-the-limit* fees. This does not include pitch unless you pay for one...
NOTE: You can buy more than one of these and get a discount if you PRE-PAY at the time of your first order. For example, $150.00 will get you four (4) Non-Fiction Picture Book Critiques on account.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OVER THE LIMIT FEES -- See "Word Count." Manuscripts up to 650 Words. Send in an additional payment if your manuscript goes over the limit. There is a $5 surcharge for the first block of up to 150 additional words and $10 for the additional blocks. This is because picture books should not come in at 900-1000 words, and if they do, there is usually much more wrong that word count and the critique will take a great deal more of my time.
(SALE) PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE with 10 MIN PHONE CONSULT
COST: $42.50 per picture book
NOTE: You can purchase four (4) of these and get a discount if you PRE-PAY at the time of your first order. For example, $160 will get you four (4) Picture Book Critiques with 10 Min Phone Consultations, PLUS a BONUS extra 10 Minutes of Phone Consultation. Additional time can be added for $5 each additional 10 Mins.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OVER THE LIMIT FEES -- See "Word Count." Manuscripts up to 650 Words. Send in an additional payment if your manuscript goes over the limit. There is a $5 surcharge for the first block of up to 150 additional words and $10 for the additional blocks. This is because picture books should not come in at 900-1000 words, and if they do, there is usually much more wrong that word count and the critique will take a great deal more of my time.
(SALE) PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE / 20 MIN. CONSULTATION
COST: $50.00 per picture book
NOTE: You can purchase four (4) of these and get a discount if you PRE-PAY at the time of your first order. For example, $190 will get you FOUR (4) Picture Book Critique / Consultations with 20 Min Phone Consultations on account, PLUS a BONUS extra 20 Minutes of Phone Consultation. Additional time can be added for $5 each additional 10 Mins.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OVER THE LIMIT FEES -- See "Word Count." Manuscripts up to 650 Words. Send in an additional payment if your manuscript goes over the limit. There is a $5 surcharge for the first block of up to 150 additional words and $10 for the additional blocks. This is because picture books should not come in at 900-1000 words, and if they do, there is usually much more wrong that word count and the critique will take a great deal more of my time.
CRITIQUE & FOLLOW-UP PACKAGE & ADD-ON FOLLOW-UP CRITIQUES:
COST: $65.00 for One Critique and One Revision Critique on the same manuscript, when Purchased
TOGETHER. Follow-up critique on revisions, if not pre-purchased, will be $35.00.
PLEASE BE AWARE OF OVER THE LIMIT FEES -- See "Word Count." Manuscripts up to 650 Words. Send in an additional payment if your manuscript goes over the limit. There is a $5 surcharge for the first block of up to 150 additional words and $10 for the additional blocks. This is because picture books should not come in at 900-1000 words, and if they do, there is usually much more wrong that word count and the critique will take a great deal more of my time.
ADD-ON PAGINATION:
COST: $10
This fee covers paging out the entire manuscript.
ADD-ON RATING:
COST: $5
A 10-1 (10 being needs a lot of work, 1 being ready to send) Rating of your Manuscript with a one-paragraph explanation.
ADD-ON BACK MATTER:
COST: See Over the Limit Fees
COVER LETTERS:
COST: $8.50
Cover Letters, as an Add-on, will be $7.50.
PITCHES:
COST: $7.50
Pitches will be $6.00 as an Add-On.
PHONE CONSULTATIONS:
COST: $17.00
Stand alone consultation for 1/2 hour.
If you are a client, $16.00.
$15.00, as an add-on after a critique, we will pull up the manuscript and discuss for 1/2 hour. Special rate $25.00 for the hour.
"HONE-YOUR-PITCH" TELEPHONE SESSION:
COST: $8.50
Each "stand-alone" session will be 10 minutes via telephone. As an Add-on, this will be $7.00.
BIO and/or ADD-ON BIO:
I will edit your bio for your query letter for an additional $7.50 charge. As an Add-on, this will be $6.00.
EDITOR OR AGENT COMMENT / PRIOR MANUSCRIPT REVIEW:
I am happy to review Editor or Agent Comments for $10.00 per manuscript. Should you wish me to review (but not comment on) a prior version of a manuscript, that will also be $10.00 reading fee.
CRITIQUE OF REVISIONS FOR SUBMISSION TO AN EDITOR/AGENT:
These critiques are billable at $25.00 per hour, with a minimum deposit of $60.00 which includes 2 hours and Editor/Agent Comments review ($10), payable in advance of services rendered.
MENTORING:
Online Mentoring runs $25.00 per hour. This requires a deposit of $100, payable in advance. Time statements will be kept in a google doc and shared with client.
Telephone or Video Chat Mentoring runs $30.00 per hour. This requires a deposit of $100, payable in advance. Time statements will be kept in a google doc and shared with client.
In-Person Mentoring runs $35.00 per hour, with a Deposit of $100.00, payable in advance. In person Mentoring ALSO requires payment of a $5.00 travel surcharge. Payment is cash only, in person at start of session.
COMPARISION OF CRITIQUE TO PRIOR CRITIQUE:
If you wish me to critique a manuscript and compare it to a prior critique, you will need to pay an hourly rate, which is $25/hour, with a $25 minimum fee.
CUSTOM PACKAGE:
I am happy to make up a custom package to try and accommodate your needs.
Please feel contact me to check in and see if the sale is still valid, and/or for regular rates on pitches, cover letters, picture book manuscripts, chapter books and MORE.
TURNAROUND TIME:
Please note that while I strive in every way to get your manuscript back as quick as possible, due to popular demand and affordable pricing, I have quite a queue. Please know that I will do my best to get to your manuscript as soon as possible and turnaround time is now estimated at
4-5 business days.
Should you want or expect a quicker turn around time, please add the following Rush Fees to your order:
RUSH FEE(S): For Guaranteed Turnaround
If you require a same-day turnaround, there will be a $20 rush surcharge added to your order. If you require a one-day turnaround, there will be a $15 rush surcharge added to your order. For a two-day turnaround, there will be a $10 rush surcharge.
Of course, these require pre-approval before payment of fees.
WORD COUNT LIMIT - OVER THE LIMIT FEES
The rates above are for picture books for to 650 words or less.
If your picture book is longer that this, there is a $5.00 surcharge for each additional amount up to 150 words.
So, for example a Manuscript of 740 words would have a $5 surcharge and a manuscript of 875 words would have a $10 surcharge. If you are adding your 1-2 line pitch at the top, which is fine and highly recommended, please add $5.00 to the total. Honed pitches will get you attention in queries and in twitter pitches so this step is very important!
For these rates you will receive a multi-level, line-by-line critique which discusses several aspects of writing a story (beginning, inciting event, characterization, motivation, stakes, character flaw, attempts at solving the problem, deep dark moment, renewal, ending and take-away value, IN ADDITION to title, word choice, poetic devices, sentence length, point of view, syntax, etc.). Sometimes, I am able share comp titles. PLEASE note if your manuscript requires a lot of work, we can only focus on first things first. In that case, I recommend repeat critiques to get the manuscript submission ready.
PLEASE NOTE: All critiques and packages will expire at the end of the year. Please use them before then, or lose them. It's hard for me to keep track of them from year to year. Please understand.
UPDATE: I am pleased to report that a # of my clients were recipients of *Writing with the Stars* Mentorships and *PBParty* Finalists and others have recently signed with Agents and gotten book deals. So proud and happy to be a part of their journey!
Here is what current clients have said recently:
9/13/19 “Lynne Marie is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to the world of children’s literature, and she has the experience to back it up. She has the ability to zone in on the potential problems in your manuscript, and helps you find solutions. I resonated with her feedback, and feel it will ultimately help bring my book to the next level. I would highly recommend her consulting and mentoring services. Her critiques are easy to digest, and extremely affordable!”
-Lydia Lukidis, author
*New* I wanted to thank you again for your insightful comments. You really have great suggestions and are able to pinpoint the problems. Thanks so much. KB
*NEW* Thank you so much for these detailed and extremely helpful edits. I can't wait to dive back in and use all of your suggestions. KD
*NEW* Thank you, Lynne! I'm so grateful for your help with several of my stories. I think your two recent critiques in particular helped me catch the interest of agents! B.S.
*NEW* What amazes me about you is not only that you send the critiques out so quickly (you must have racing stripes on your red pen), but also that the quality of your critiques are so good. Your fee is darn reasonable, too. J.S.
You are efficient! Thank you so much for your very helpful, speedy feedback! That was one of the most thorough critiques I've ever received.
I want to say thank you for your critique of my story. I’ve had a chance to review it a few times and your notes and suggestions will be extremely helpful for my revision. I obviously have a lot of work still to do on this story, but I want to continue to develop it into, hopefully a polished manuscript for submission. Your thoughtful and detailed critique has set me in the right direction.
You don't know how much joy you brought me when I saw your critique and that is priceless. Thank you for continuing to motivate me as a fellow writer. Alicia Minor.
Thank you so much, Lynne. Your insights on both of these pieces are incredible. You've given me a LOT to think about and I'm excited to tackle the revisions. Very much appreciated!
Many thanks for the detailed critique! I have already incorporated many of your changes and ideas.
Lynne Marie has been a critique partner for years. She has great insight into what makes a picture book work. And this is a bargain price— buy five! Sherry Hyberger Howard
Many thanks, again, for this extremely insightful and helpful critique! I can't wait to work on revisions.
Wow, you are awesome! I absolutely love the way you’ve commented throughout the document and your insights are just what I need.
Thank you so much and when I get back to revising this story, I’ll have all your suggestions to get me through.
I have never learned so much from someone's critiques as I have from yours. You make me see things so much clearer. They have been thoughtful and honest. You have no clue how much you are teaching me. Thank you SO much. I didn’t know what to expect with my first critique, but Lynne Marie made the entire process painless and enjoyable! My manuscript took so many necessary turns and twists that I didn’t even know I needed! Andrea Jaimes
Wow, you are awesome! I absolutely love the way you’ve commented throughout the document and your insights are just what I need.
Oh, my goodness! You are wonderful! You were so thorough and exceeded my expectations. It is quite evident that you spent some time on the critique. I would love for you to critique the revision and will get back to you once I feel it is ready. Thank you so much! C.L.M.
Thank you so much and when I get back to revising this story, I’ll have all your suggestions to get me through. K.
Thank you for your incredibly helpful feedback! You have given me a lot to think about.
Man I learned so much. Truly grateful for all the insights! PM
Thank you for making a difference in my life and work. Devon Kondaki.
Feel free to contact me for more testimonials.
ARE YOU A TRAVELLER *AND* A WRITER? WANT A CRITIQUE X 2 FOR FREE?
For a limited time, if you book a Vacation Package through me as a Travel Agent @PixieVacations.com, I will give you two (2) picture book manuscript critiques of up to 750 words PLUS two (2) 15 minute telephone consultations. Details: Offers available upon final payment and only on packages which are non-refundable or have insurance. Not combinable with other Pixie Perks like Cruise Line Door Decorations, Onboard Credits or Gift Cards.
Has your creativity ever seemed to
disappear? If so, I’ll let you in on a secret. You’re probably not giving it
enough exercise. 
Write a picture book story using as many words from this list as possible. Give yourself bonus points for using all of them. If this practice becomes a project, feel free to discard any words that don't serve your story. They will have done their job by inspiring something new! 
