Make your picture book stronger before you send it out into the world.
As an author-illustrator, I love helping creators step back from their work and see the bigger picture: What’s working? Where does the story lose momentum? Is the emotional payoff landing? Are the words and pictures doing their own jobs, or telling us the same thing?
I offer thoughtful, big-picture critiques for picture book creators who are ready to take their work to the next level.
Photo credit: Kaysha Weiner
Picture Book Manuscript Critique
$175
Have a picture book manuscript that you’ve revised until you can’t see it anymore? Send it my way. I’ll read it as both a writer and a reader and provide feedback on the elements that make a picture book work as a complete reading experience.
My critique may address:
- Story structure and pacing
- Character and emotional arc
- Voice and language
- Read-aloud quality
- Page-turn opportunities
- Repetition, rhythm, and word count
- What the text is telling us, and what it might leave for the illustrator
- Places where the story feels especially strong
- Areas that may need another round of revision
You’ll receive a written editorial letter with my overall impressions, questions, and revision suggestions.
Best for: Writers with a complete picture book manuscript who want thoughtful feedback before querying, submitting, or moving on to the next revision.
Picture Book Dummy Critique
$225
For author-illustrators who want feedback on the whole picture book—words and art working together.
I’ll look at your dummy as a book, not simply as a collection of individual spreads. That means considering the manuscript alongside the artwork, with particular attention to pacing, page turns, visual storytelling, and the rhythm of the reading experience.
My critique may address:
- Story and character arc
- Text and image relationship
- Page turns and pacing
- Visual storytelling
- Composition and visual flow
- Where the illustrations can carry more of the story
- Places where text and art may be redundant
- Repetition and rhythm
- Emotional beats and payoff
- Overall book flow and cohesion
A little about my approach
I’ve been on both sides of the picture book process as a writer and an illustrator. My goal isn’t to rewrite your book for you or make it sound like something I would write. It’s to help you understand what your story is already doing, identify where it could be stronger, and give you concrete things to think about during your next revision.
Ready for another set of eyes?
If you’re looking for thoughtful feedback from a fellow picture book creator, I’d love to take a look.
A few things to know
- I work with picture books only.
- I offer manuscript critiques and picture book dummy critiques. I do not offer art portfolio critiques.
- A critique is editorial feedback, not a guarantee of publication, representation, or acquisition.
- I reserve a limited number of critique slots so I can give each project the attention it deserves.
Keep working on your story
Not quite ready for a critique? No problem. Here are some of my craft articles to help you keep revising, thinking, and tinkering with your picture book.
The Magic of Picture Book Structure: How Story Beats, Page Turns, and Pacing Work Together (Boyds Mill Blog)
From Spark to Final Sketches: My 7-Step Picture Book Dummy Process (Boyds Mill Blog)
Meet Lulu: A Peek into My Character Design Process
New to Children’s Books? Resources for Writers and Illustrators