Editing and Critique

example of red pen feedback

Morgen welcomes manuscripts for editing at the competitive rate of £4 (€5 / US$6 / AS$6) per 1,000 words, providing in-depth “firm but fair” feedback which will include grammar, punctuation, story structure, character depth, narrative drive… the whole shebang. This is in the form of ‘red pen’ notes (see picture on right) and a written report explaining these notes with additional comments.

Alternatively, she offers a proofread (£2 (€2.50 / US$3 / AS$3) per 1,000 words) or general feedback service at £1 (€1.25 / US$1.50 / AS$1.50) per 1,000 words.

500 words or more above any ,000 words would rounded up to the nearest 1,000. Less than 500 words above any ,000 would be rounded down, i.e. 2,449 words = £4 / £8 but 2,500 words = £6 / £12.

If you take up either of these two options and want to upgrade (from feedback to proofread / editing or proofread to editing) you are welcome to do so and just pay the difference for a second read-through with the extra advice / comments.

Fee agreed in advance of any work undertaken. Turnaround usually within 48 hours in most cases, dependent upon existing workload.

Listed below are some examples of the free sample critiques Morgen has given…

• The first ‘red pen’ session episode was released on Monday 8th August 2011 featuring a 325-word flash fiction entitled ‘Green’ by San Francisco-based writer and musician J D Mader and the podcast is available via the links at the top of this page (and in the ‘Where to find me’ side menu) with a summary here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Sunday 2nd December 2012.
• The second ‘red pen’ session episode was released on Monday 22nd August featuring a 1,591-word short story from Aneesa – the summary was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback to be blogged t.b.a. (awaiting permission from the author).
• The third ‘red pen’ session episode was released on Monday 5th September and featured a novel extract from crime writer Lae Monie. A summary of the podcast episode was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Tuesday 4th December 2012.
• The fourth ‘red pen’ session episode featured a 883-word short story entitled The Sow’s Ear by J D Mader. A summary of the podcast was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Wednesday 5th December 2012.
• Aneesa returned for episode no.5 which was released on Monday 10th October and featured a story called ‘You are my reasons’ -– the summary was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback to be blogged t.b.a. (awaiting permission from the author).
• Episode no.6, released on Monday 24th October, was an extract from forthcoming novel ‘Firebound’ provided by teacher and writer Kathryn Wild – the summary of which was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Friday 7th December 2012.
• Episode no.7, released on Sunday 6th November, featured a short story by Aaron entitled ‘On the edge’ – the summary was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Saturday 8th December 2012.
• Episode no.8, released Sunday 27th November, was a novel extract by crime writer, spotlightee and contributor of red pen critique podcast ep3 Lae Monie – the summary was posted here and you can listen to the episode here. Full feedback was blogged Sunday 9th December 2012.
• Red pen no.9, released Wednesday 28th December – was my critique of a short extract from The Desolate Garden by Danny Kemp. You can listen to the episode here. Full feedback blogged Monday 10th December 2012.
• Red Pen no.10, my critique of Circles, a short story from Aaron (see episode no.7) – Sunday 16th December 2012.
• Red Pen no.11, my critique of an extract (with synopsis) from Lianne Simon’s novel Confessions of a Teenage Hermaphrodite – Sunday 23rd December 2012.
• Red Pen no.12, my critique of the short story Shooting Stars by crime novelist, short story author and interviewee Graham Smith – Sunday 30th December 2012.
• Red Pen no.13, my critique of a novel extract from YA, romance and suspense thriller novelist Erica Miner‘s Murder in the Pit – Sunday 6th January 2013.
• Red Pen no.14, my critique of Agoraphobia, a short story by non-fiction and short story author Kerry Dwyer – Sunday 13th January 2013.
• Red Pen no.15, my critique of Betrayal, a short story by short story author and poet Charlie Kane – Sunday 20th January 2013.

She also critiques for four of her Online Writing Groups.

• Short Stories Submitted For Critique
• Poems Submitted For Critique
• Script Extracts Submitted For Critique
• Novel Extracts Submitted For Critique

Summary:

• £1 per 1,000 words for single-read general feedback on the story
• £2 per 1,000 words for single-read proofread only
• £4 per 1,000 words for a full critique (red pen scans & typed report) and includes another read-through
• In all cases 500+ words over any 1,000 words rounded up to the nearest 1,000 or <500 words rounded down, i.e. 2,449 words = £4 / £8 and 2,500 words = £6 / £12.
• Fee agreed in advance but based on the above and no more than £4 per 1,000 words.

Note: Morgen is English so will edit based on UK English rather than US English although US spellings will remain unaltered. Fee agreed in advance so there are no further costs unless agreed, and payment to be made via PayPal. The editorial fee (£4 per 1,000 words) includes another read-through of the manuscript once changes have been made. The proofread or general feedback fees are for one read-through only.

It is stressed that Morgen is not responsible for the accuracy of the content of the authors’ works before or after publication and any factual mistakes not pointed out shall inccur no liability on Morgen’s part.

She also transcribes manuscripts from audio files or handwritten formats (rate by agreement but based on the same hourly rate).

Although she is unable to undertake book reviews, there is a list of some reviewers who do.

Whatever your requirement, you can email Morgen at morgen@morgenbailey.com.