Writing Services
Critique Service (Fiction & Non-Fiction, Short)
The writing services team and I offer professional critiques for short stories, flash fiction and non-fiction (blog posts, books, essays, website content, lead magnets etc.). Any form of creative writing is considered. The writing critiques are constructive and delivered in a friendly, encouraging manner.
The short fiction / non-fiction critique service gives you detailed feedback on your writing and suggestions for improvement, to give you the best chance of having your work published.
You can find the full details about our critique services, including prices, turnaround times, FAQs and testimonials on the writing critique service page.
Critique Service (Novels / Books + Novel Openings)
The writing services team also offer professional critiques for books, novels and novel-openings (opening 5,000 words plus a synopsis). We're open to all styles and genres in any form of creative writing.
The book / novel critique service gives you detailed feedback on your manuscript and highlights areas for improvement.
You can find the full details of the service, including prices, turnaround times, FAQs and testimonials on the book, novel and novel opening critique service page.
Critique Service (Poetry)
The writing services team also offer professional critiques for poetry, from single poems to full collections.
The poetry critique service gives you detailed feedback on your poems and suggestions for improvement. Feedback is delivered in a positive manner.
You can find the full details about our poetry critique services, including prices, turnaround times, FAQs and testimonials on the poetry critique service page.
Editing Service
The team and I provide a professional editing service for novels, short stories, non-fiction and all other forms of creative writing.
The editing service includes:
- copy editing service (line edits in preparation for publication)
- developmental editing service (detailed feedback on plot, character, scenes, structure, pacing and coherence)
- proofreading service (concentrates on language errors including formatting, grammar, punctuation, spelling and typography)
- we offer an optional follow-up consultation on all of the above writing services, to discuss the recommendations we have made in detail
You can find the full details about the editing service on the main editing service page.
Formatting Service for Books / Novels
The team and I offer book formatting services, preparing your manuscript ready for printing as a paperback book or publishing as an eBook.
This is a professional book design service to typeset and prepare books of all types for publication. The eBooks we produce are produced to the highest standards, with accessibility in mind.
The team can also provide a typing service, so if you have handwritten a book, we can type it up for you in digital format.
You can find the full details about the formatting services we offer on the main formatting service page.
Mentor Service for Authors / Writers
The writing mentor and book coach service is structured to the specific needs of the individual. We provide coaching, lessons, mentoring and tuition for any form of creative writing and for authors at all stages of their journey - beginner through to experienced.
You can learn more about this writing service on the writing mentor service page.
Talks, Presentations & Writing Workshops
I run a variety of writing workshops and delivers talks and presentations about being an author. I will consider travelling anywhere to do this.
When speaking at events, I draw on real-life experience as an award winning and Amazon best-selling author. I talk extensively about being a short story competition judge, a published writer, an award-winning editor and running this website for a living.
You can learn more about this writing service on the workshops service page.
About My Writing Services
Friendly, constructive, affordable - run by experts
I started to offer writing services on his website in 2013. This was because my website users contacted me regularly, asking for critiques of their stories, feedback, editing services and more.
Early in 2018, I decided to improve the variety and quality of the writing services I offer by putting a small team of experts together. I approached authors and editors I had met and worked with, to ensure the team could deliver highly professional writing services.
The combined knowledge of the writers and editors in the team, all of whom have extensive experience in their areas of expertise, allowed me to expand the range of writing services on offer, giving clients more choice.
You can learn more about the writing services team members on the meet the team page.
The writing services we offer include:
- Critiques: short story, flash fiction, poetry, novels, non-fiction and all forms of creative writing
- Editing: eBooks, novels and short stories - fiction and non-fiction of all styles and genres
- Formatting: professional quality book and novel creation for both print and digital formats
- Presentations and workshops: presentations for schools, colleges, businesses, literary festivals, writing groups and more
You can find out more about each of the writing services on the dedicated pages listed above.
If you have any questions about any of the writing services I offer, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Helpful Resources
The team and I strive to offer transparent writing services, so you know what you are buying.
Sometimes, new writers don't understand which writing services will best suit their needs. This is most common with editing.
You can find out more about the difference between the different editing services on Wikipedia:
If you have any questions about any of the writing services mentioned above, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
This website was established in 2011. In 2024, it was redesigned. Between 2011 and 2024, thousands of people commented on the site. I’d like to thank every person for their engagement – it’s greatly appreciated.
When the site was rebuilt, transferring comments comprising hundreds of thousands of words was not feasible on most pages. The Writing Services page comments are an exception and they appear below. New comments are welcome. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.
Phil C
Hi Chris, I hope you are well.
I am thinking of trying to get into proofreading and editing as a job. How did you get into it - can you recommend any courses?
Chris Fielden
Hi Phil, I don’t know of any courses.
Most of what I offer is based on critiques I’ve received from dealing with professional publishers and editors over the years. I’m sure there are courses out there though.
Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Phil C
OK, thanks Chris
Sanober HS
Dear Chris. I am a student of medicine in my 3rd year in Islamabad Pakistan. I love to write short stories and have never tried submitting to a magazine before. Would you be kind enough to help me to get my stories and essays published?
On your kind response I will send you some examples of my writing.
Chris Fielden
I’m afraid I receive lots of requests like this and cannot offer to proofread other writers work for free. If you want me to read your work, please see the paid service I offer above.
To enter competitions and approach magazines, the best bet is to look through the lists on my website, see which are most appropriate for your style of writing and then submit to them directly. You can start your research in the Writing Advice section of my website.
I wish you the best of luck with your writing.
Janak S
Dear Christopher, what is the format for sending you a short story for assessment in the critiquing services you offer?
Chris Fielden
Hi Janak. You can find out about my proofreading services and how to submit by reading the page above.
Unfortunately, my services are closed at the moment as I have received many entries into my short story competition and have lots of reading to do.
Please let me know if you are happy to wait until I can open these services again. If not, you can find details of other reputable proofreading services here.
Janak S
Dear Christopher, I have read about your proofreading services including the prices. I understand you are preoccupied with other things, it's okay. I will contact you later, when you are free. Kind regards.
Chris Fielden
Great, thanks Janak 🙂
Tom S
How much is it going to cost me for a story that is 10,000 words long in US money?
Chris Fielden
Hi Tom. Thanks for your interest in my services.
With the current pricing, it would be around $135.
However, I am currently reviewing my pricing and will be reopening this service in February/March, so please check back with me then. I'm putting a team of editors together, so am having to review the whole offering at the moment.
Sorry I can't give a definite answer right now.
Nasrin P
Hi Chris. I would like to know how much you would charge for copy editing of a novel of 75, 000 words, and how long it takes?
Thank you.
Chris Fielden
Hi Nasrin. Thank you for your interest in our services.
Copy editing a novel takes up to 2 months. Our usual turnaround time is 4 to 6 weeks.
Full details regarding prices, turnaround times and the service offering can be found on the main copy editing services page.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Nina J
Hi Chris, I have been writing poetry for the past 20 years. I am also an artist. I have self published two books that are on Amazon, and recently assembled a collection of poems and mono-types (that I have been working on over the past 2 years) into a very attractive looking book called Personal Rituals.
I am interested in finding a publisher for this book. Do you have any advice to give me. Thanks in advance.
Chris Fielden
Hi Nina. Congratulations on completing your collection.
I'd just recommend that you research carefully, to find suitable publishers to submit to. The best bet is to start with books, like The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, or Mslexia's Indie Press Guide and take it from there.
I hope that's helpful and wish you the best of luck with finding a publisher.
Neerja J
Hi Christopher, I am planning to apply for MFA creative writing program. Do you guys provide any service for reviewing writing samples and SOP?
Chris Fielden
Hi Neerja. Yes, we would consider critiquing writing samples.
What is SOP? I'm only familiar with it meaning Standard Operating Procedure... 🙂
Neerja J
Hi Chris. Sorry SOP meant Statement of Purpose. So what is the cost of these services? Let me know the details.
Chris Fielden
Hi Neerja. Thank you for your reply.
The pricing is based on the word count of the work you submit for critique. You can find a full explanation of the service, including pricing details, here.
Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Kyle G
Thank you for the opportunity to reach out, I recently completed a hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail and have spent considerable time writing about my experiences of the adventure. I do not have a background in writing, I work in the special Events industry and with work being quite slow amidst Covid- I have found enjoyment in telling my story.
I would very much like to gather feedback, and I think it would be quite insightful to have someone who specializes is short story narratives to provide an honest opinion prior to investing in an editor. The piece I have put together is 11,000 words, I would hope to utilize your service to help guide me on where I go from here with the story I have prepared.
Chris Fielden
Hi Kyle. Thank you for your message.
Great to hear about your story - it sounds really interesting. We'd be happy to critique your work for you. You can find all the details of the critique service here.
If you'd like to go ahead, please let me know.
James C
Hi Chris. I have sent a message to the beavers, to see what it will cost to proofread my story. In a month's time, I may have the funds.
I have kept a diary, from which I have created a story. I haven't exactly finished the story completely. Would it be a mistake to send something that may still take six months to complete?
I'm still trying to tie in the characters to the whole thing. Possibly I could send a few broken down segments. I realise it would cost cash, so anyway, I suppose the beavers will inform. To be honest, as ridiculous as it sounds, it's twenty years of diary, so I worry... I don't want to let it out until it's complete. I'm not deluded or anything, I'm sure you've heard of first time authors and there false beliefs. Yours sincerely, James.
Chris Fielden
Hi James. Thanks for your message.
If your story is long, I'd recommend getting someone to critique the opening section (5,000 words or so) and a synopsis. From that, you can take feedback and apply it to your whole manuscript. That's what I usually recommend as a starting point as it's cost effective and offers good value. When you have a more polished manuscript that has been carefully proofread, you can consider having the whole thing reviewed or edited by a professional, if you feel it's necessary.
You need a bit of self-belief to complete a book of any type. Delusion is usually associated with self-proclaimed genius and unrealistic expectations regarding success, sales and reviewers recognising said genius. I'd recommend keeping a positive but realistic outlook 🙂
I hope that helps. And I wish you all the best with completing your project 🙂
Mun V
I need a line editor. May I get a quote for 75,000 word manuscript of a narrative fiction? Thank you.
Chris Fielden
Hi Mun. Thanks for your message.
The price for editing a manuscript up to 80,000 words is £765. Full details can be found here. However, before we agree to take editing work on, we ask you to send a sample chapter (preferably the opening of your novel) so we can see if it's something we can help with.
This is because many writers think they need an editor when they actually need a critique and some proofreading. Line editing is usually conducted at the final stage in the publishing process. The novel should already have been through a few draft stages by then. And line editing is usually done in house, by the publisher, unless you're self-publishing of course.
I'd be happy to discuss with you via Zoom if needs be - just let me know 🙂
Tony S
In answer to the question by Phil C re proofreading and editing as a job, courses are available through the Chartered Institute for Editors and Proofreaders. I hope this helps.
Chris Fielden
Thank you for sharing that Tony, very much appreciated 🙂
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