Manuscript Review
For those looking for intensive, personalized manuscript review, StoryStudio offers several different critique packages. Our manuscript reviews are designed for those writers who either wish to go deeper into their stories and polish a draft, or for those who are ready to have a book-length project edited. Line-editing and proofreading is also available.
How it Works
Our focus is on your manuscript. When reviewing your drafts, we’re looking at character, plot, voice, language, pace, and rhythms. After reading the piece, your coach will prepare an Author Letter detailing what’s working in the story and what opportunities there are to make it better. Instead of an Author Letter, some packages instead offer manuscript editing.
Most students like to meet with the coach so most packages include at least an hour of face-to-face (or phone) time to discuss comments and suggestions.
All packages require pre-payment.
(PLEASE NOTE: All manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced with one-inch margins. In many cases, we can use MS Word Track Changes to provide changes digitally.)
Packages & Fees
Two-Hour Package
This package includes one-hour of reading/reviewing time and a one-hour consultation. Perfect for an essay, memoir piece, short story (15 pages or less), or novel excerpt.Fees: $180 ($170 for StoryStudio Members)
Five-Hour Package
This package includes five hours of reading and meeting time, to be decided by coach and student. Perfect for those working with longer pieces or those who wish to have reviews on multiple rewrites. (Typically, 100 pages or less.)Fees: $450 ($425 for StoryStudio Members)
MFA Application Prep Package
This package includes five hours of reading and meeting time, to be decided by coach and student. Typically, two hours will be spent reviewing personal statements and submission stories, one hour set aside for MFA program research, and two hours for meeting time. Perfect for those planning to apply to either traditional or low-residency MFA programs and would like a knowledgeable coach to guide them through the process.Fees: $450
Novel/Book Review
We’ll read and review up to 225 pages of your novel or non-fiction book and prepare a comprehensive author letter report including thoughts on plot, character, language, voice and other aspects of storytelling. This package is for writers who are still open to discovering the story or who have completed a first or second draft and would like a fresh perspective.In addition to review and comments, this package includes a one-hour meeting.
Fee: $550, plus $2.00 per each additional page (Payment is required in advance.)
Novel/Book Editing
We’ll edit up to 350 pages of your novel or non-fiction book, focusing on story and character continuity. Edits and suggestions are made on hard copies or digitally using Microsoft Track Changes. This package is for those authors who are in the final stages of preparing a manuscript for submission.This package does not include a meeting.
Fee: $1,175.00 (Payment is required in advance.)
Line-Editing and Proofreading Services
Instructors are also available to line-edit your manuscript to correct grammar and punctuation, as well as read for consistency. This service is especially helpful for dissertation manuscripts, educational publishing, non-fiction booklength projects, professional journal articles and other non-fiction texts.Fee: Line-editing and proofreading are billed at $75/hour, with a five-hour minimum. Please contact us for a quote.
Call 773.477.7710 or email us at info@storystudiochicago.com to get started.
Student-instructor meetings take place at our studio at 4043 N. Ravenswood, Chicago. A limited number of instructors are also available to meet in our North Shore studio at 723 Elm Street, Winnetka. However, we are also happy to work with writers outside the Chicago area via email and phone.
Course Fee: Manuscript review package rates as stated above.