My novel had just been rejected by a NY agent who had asked to see it based on my query. After two months, this agent sent me a form rejection and gave me no clue as to what was wrong. Most people don't read beyond the first page or so and if the story and characters don't grab them by then, they put the book down. Evidently my opening needed work, so I went on the hunt for a professional critique and found \"Critique My Novel\" offering a free critique of the first 500 words. 
     No wonder I was rejected. Not only did Catherine, the editor at Critique My Novel, point out some amateur flaws in the presentation, she showed me several ways to make the protagonist come alive and make the story more interesting. I couldn't believe some of the classic mistakes I had made. It seems I had violated all the rules I had studied in twenty years of writing classes and workshops. It was time to order a full critique and see what other sins I had committed.                

     If you are serious about being published, don’t submit your manuscript without having it proofread and critiqued by a professional. The competition at the slush pile is too great to submit amateur work.  
     I can’t believe the amount of detail and thought that the editors at Critique My Novel put into my full critique.  It has been six months since I received their critique of my two hundred page novel and I’m only on page sixty-six of my revision.  They didn’t miss anything. Not only did they do an excellent job of proofreading, they pointed out plot flaws, confusing scene changes, dialogue issues, and a dozen other amateur mistakes.
     I highly recommend this service for any serious author if you want to improve your chances of catching an agent or publisher's eye. -Richard: A View to Die For