After many drafts and critiques, I knew my manuscript still wasn't in a good place, but didn't know what to do next. Finally, I found Catherine, and thought an objective editor would be an excellent solution. It was a long wait, but boy was it worth it. Catherine went over each sentence with a fine-toothed comb and pointed out things that were invisible to my exhausted eyes. She discovered some repetitive flaws in my writing that have completely changed my prose for the better.

Not only has my novel been given a complete face-lift, but everything I write in the future will be infinitely better thanks to what I learned from Catherine's comments. I greatly admired her ability to notice every fine detail, and her straightforward and honest appraisal. I am so glad I didn't start submitting this manuscript to agents/publishers before receiving this edit. Now I can move forward with that process with confidence. 

An extremely professional and high-value edit that I recommend to any writer at any stage.

What did Critique My Novel do for your novel?: Full Edit/Critique

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

(My only reservation would be how fast I needed it completed. If I wasn't in a rush, I would hands down use this service again.)

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES 

After all the handwork, I can now rest assured that my book is complete and polished. Catherine is professional and never left me waiting if I had a question or problem. I'm planning on using her services again in the future.

What did Critique My Novel do for your novel?: Proofread

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: Yes

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

I was thrilled with the copy editing job that the team at critiquemynovel.com did for my book. Catherine caught the mistakes that had slipped by me over numerous drafts.

What did Critique My Novel do for your novel?: Enhanced Proofread

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: Definitely

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Not Sure*

*(Nothing against the service--the next novel is quite different, and I'm not sure what I'll need to do to get it ready.)

My review of Catherine and her team at Critique My Novel is easy to write. If you are looking for editors who will tell you only what you would like to hear, I suggest you ask your family. If, however, you are looking for professionals who will examine your work and give you a detailed and, at times, tough appraisal of what you need to do in order to get your work ready for prime time, then Catherine and her team are the ones for you.

As they were for me!

I've used other editors before, but Catherine and her people took it up a notch or two. Extraordinary work. Just what I was craving; i.e. someone who had the expertise to tell you the truth about your work.                                                                       

Every writer needs a good editor. If you are a writer, then you need Catherine and her team. Allow me to repeat myself.  Extraordinary work!

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely! You guys were terrific.

I received the assistance all writers need: how to make my work better by making it clearer and the characters more defined and the story stronger. In addition, there was that important service that the spirit and letter of our magnificent English language cries for:correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, and the use of the proper word.

I was also amazed by their knowledge of different literary platforms, which helped me enormously since my novel is a hybrid work. They also were sensitive as to style and voice and thankfully left that alone.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely 

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

(I thought so many recommendations to use the semi-colon odd.)

The most common reason is to prevent comma splices. 

        Critique My Novel was terrific. Responsive. Corrected typos and provided big ideas for positive change; they greatly improved my book.  

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

Critique My Novel has once again proven why I have received so many great reviews and comments on my novels. The main fact about their service is that, they are truly genuine in making sure you, the novelist, produce your best work.                              

After submitting my latest novel, Gods of Egypt, for editorial services, I discovered that with their suggestions and directions, I came to love my novel even more. What once was a great novel, in my mind, is now a spectacular one, I feel.                                  

Once again, they have proven their worth as top notch editors!  Thanks again! 

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely         

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

Utilizing the services of Critique My Novel was absolutely the best decision I have ever made. Their skill at identifying strengths and weakness in my novel was superb. As novelists, we all would like to believe that once we hit that final keystroke our novel is finished and ready-to-go.

Critique My Novel showed me in so many ways how to take what I considered a finished novel and hone it into a polished piece of work that is ready for the world to read. In other words, my experience with Critique My Novel was absolutely phenomenal.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

The feedback I received on my novel from CMN is absolutely invaluable to me as a writer. After they were done picking it to pieces, they clearly identified the weakest areas of the story, how to fix them, and thoughts on what to change. Constructive criticism is absolute gold to me and that's exactly what CMN provides. I would recommend their services to any aspiring author. 

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 4

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely  

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

All writers need an editor! Critique My Novel is an important resource, especially for writers who intend to self-publish. I found their rates very reasonable--a great bargain really, for the excellent feedback I received. I would use them again and recommend others use their services.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 4        

(I wish you could return manuscripts more quickly. That is my reason for a 4 instead of a 5.)

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

(Before)

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.
I'm anxiously waiting the full critique. The fee will be well worth it if I can avoid the embarrassment of submitting another amateur manuscript.

Richard: A View to Die for (After)

     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.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next

work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

I thought the service was very good. I especially liked the fact that two individuals reviewed my manuscript rather than one. With a great price already, it was an added bonus to have two pairs of eyes on the review.     

I thought the edit was good, fixing most, if not all of the errors throughout my story and pointing out some of the grammar I need to work on when I write in general. I can't say I'm the best when it comes to grammar, so any chance I get to improve is a good one.

The critique portion provided me with ideas and ways to make my manuscript stronger. I incorporated most of the changes into my story and I think the result made the novel better. The opinions were unbiased and gave me the push I needed. I can't say I agreed with every single thing, but I was able to pick and choose between what I thought would help and what wouldn't. Overall, I felt like it was good advice.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

I received the full critique on my current WIP, Bound. I just finished making all the corrections and my MS is so much better for it! Critique My Novel provided a friendly, fast service that went above and beyond marking up my novel. Thank you so much! :) 

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely 

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

 

I am very pleased with the job Critique My Novel did. As a first time author, I was hesitant about sending my manuscript for review in the first place. Catherine and her staff did an excellent job. They kept me informed as to their progress and were always responsive to my e-mails. They provided outstanding advice and recommendations for improvements. Their comments were professional and written in a way that did not offend. I would highly recommend them to anyone who wants a complete review at a fair price.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES

I am currently in the re-write process of my novel and thank Catherine and the others for their work and honest critique. I have  agreed with almost every change they suggested. I am also halfway through my second novel and will not hesitate to send it to Critique My Novel. I highly recommend this service to everyone.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES 

So rather than jump right into my thoughts on this establishment (I'm in the process of editing, but I decided I would post my opinion here and now because I've seen enough), I want to start off with how I came to Critique My Novel in the first place.

If you are reading this and you prefer a simpler review, I'll have a short-and-simple version at the bottom of this. Otherwise, this might be a tad long, but this site wants a review, so a review I shall give.

When I first stumbled onto Critique My Novel, I had been looking around for a place to edit my manuscript for quite some time. I finished my first book at the end of 2011, but I didn't have the money to do anything with it. My story, Blood Solstice, is very long. Very long. Longer than the traditional novel is supposed to be for a first time author, which is discouraging when you happen to love writing. I suppose I could have cut it down, but I am stubborn, so I chose not to. Besides, if being "traditional" means to cut down something that is just as good long, I don't want to be traditional in the slightest. 

Then I stumbled onto Critique My Novel and saw the low prices, which was a Godsend compared to what I'd seen from more established websites and individuals. However, I was also hesitant. For one thing, the group was fairly new, and there weren't a great deal of outside reviews about the site. My mother, whom I consider my consultant because she is extremely knowledgeable, was skeptical as well, but there weren't many other choices for me. So I took a chance and I did the sample editing. 

What I got back from the sample was similar to what I'd received as a sample from another website, one with more experience. They were well known, but their prices were way too high for me, because not everyone is a millionaire. Needless to say, I liked what I received from both groups, but the low price was really calling to me. However, I was paranoid. I needed more proof, a way to ensure I wouldn't be cheated out of my hard work. So I did three things about it. 

One, I corresponded with Catherine, the lead editor and a very kind woman. Two, I sent a confidentiality agreement in order to prevent my manuscript from being taken by giving me the proper ammunition. And three, I went to a website that specializes in finding out if an editor or editing company is as "legit" as they claim to be. The lady whom I spoke with via email from this site was friendly and gave me her professional opinion: Critique My Novel did not look like a scam artist of any kind, it simply lacked a few details that would make it more enticing to people like me.

Now, I liked Catherine from the chats we'd had, so I decided to inform her of what was said. And lo and behold, she started to make changes to her site to reflect what was suggested to her. These were probably things she planned to do anyways, but to see the changes was helpful to me. And with the confidentiality agreement signed, I decided the time had come to send my baby off to be edited for the first time. Then the wait began.

The waiting game was probably the worst part. I sent my manuscript at a bad time because there was the contest going on, as well as a few holidays, and while I kept in contact with Catherine throughout it, the poor woman was always swamped with other things. Was I growing impatient? Yes. But I didn't complain, because that would have gotten me nowhere. I knew that patience was a necessary virtue in this field, so I simply kept in touch with Catherine until the day came that she revealed she was close to the finish. 

Then it was sent off, and I counted the days by as it traveled to me through a mail service I was told to be slow. It wasn't, though, and my manuscript arrived in one piece. 

When I opened that box, I was stressed and terrified. How bad was the damage done in my writing? I glanced down written opinions and cringed at some of the blunter remarks, and yet, I swallowed down that fear because as a writer, one must always keep an open mind. So I sat down and started to edit, using the suggestions given to me and changing what I agreed with.

Now, I am halfway through my manuscript and I've come to realize something. My God, I made a ton of mistakes in what I wrote. I haven't even gotten through all the notes, but from what I've skimmed and seen, I've made quite a handful of errors, which I wouldn't have even thought about normally. I even noticed small things Catherine didn't catch, which I teased her for, but it was in good fun, because I myself caught them.

Now I feel guilty for putting Catherine and Esther through what they read. All that rough dialogue, the unrealistic bits...everything I should have been smarter about that they endured and commented on. So I have been editing and rewriting at the same time, cutting down the unneeded bits, altering the poorly written parts and using Catherine and Esther's words as guidelines.

My short review: aside from the waiting, which I don't blame on anyone, my experience with Critique My Novel was and still is a good one. I'm not done yet, but I'm liking what I've seen, and I've kept in touch with Catherine, who has a habit of taking forever to respond to my emails (ha ha), but she's still helping me out. 

I recommend this service to anyone who is a writer and wishes to have an affordable editing service. These women know what they're doing, and don't be afraid to talk with them the whole way, they'll help you out. If you're fearful and paranoid, send a confidentiality agreement. That's what I did. Either way, give them a chance. If you like them, good on you. If you don't, then there's no harm done.

Now that I have finished my long-winded review, I must return to editing. I intend to send my manuscript back for a re-edit, because who knows what new things I'll need to correct? 

My thanks, David

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 4

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to other writers?: YES

 

      I have just received my manuscript back and am very impressed with the in-depth critique I received. This critique is exactly what I wanted and needed. Far from the "great story" and "an awesome novel" that I have normally received, Critique My Novel has dissected my story and given me many comments and much advice which, after I do several more rewrites, may well result in a successful commercial offering. 

Thank you Critique My Novel. Your service was well worth every cent I spent.  I look forward to resubmitting my manuscript for a further edit in the future.

Please rate your experience. (1= poor; 5= GREAT): 5

Would you use this service again for your next work?: Definitely

Would you recommend this service to anyone?: YES