For Writers
Books for writers
International writing competitions
Critique and author mentoring service
Lorraine’s critique and author mentoring service has been running since 2008. As well as providing critiques for short stories and flash fiction, she works with authors on full length novels and non-fiction books. She is currently mentoring authors on three continents.
Writers receive a report covering manuscript presentation, title, opening paragraphs, story resolution, dialogue, characterisation and an overall assessment. They also get back their original document marked up with track changes to show suggestions, comments and advice directly on the text.
The critiques cover not only where improvements are needed, but also detail what it is that writers are doing right! This is something that is often overlooked when work is appraised, but it is an important aspect in a writer’s progress.
Fees
Flash fiction: (up to 1,000 words) …………………£15
Short fiction: (1,001 to 3,000 words) …………….£30
Longer works of fiction and non-fiction: email for quote to lorraine@lorrainemace.com
How to submit work for critique
For longer works please contact me for a quote.
You can pay by clicking on the PayPal button below. You will be taken through a payment procedure. Afterwards, please submit your manuscript as an email attachment (any form of Word document) to: lorraine@lorrainemace.com
In the covering email give the title and word count, your full name and details of PayPal transaction if paying via a different email address to that used to submit the work.
Recommendations
Constructive and encouraging
After using several critique services with some disappointment, I tried Lorraine Mace, with Flash500 stories first, and then with longer short story MS and I recommend her without reserve. The full-page report on structure, character, plot, and other key elements is thorough and professional. There are also line-by-line editorial comments using Word review programme which is a great way to learn as well as to improve a particular story: Lorraine misses nothing. Most important for me though is her ‘eye for story’; her capacity to see deeply into the potential of a story you have only been skirting around without realising it. Eagle-eyed she is but her feedback is constructive and encouraging, and she responds to a request for clarification – not all critique services do that. She sticks to her estimated turn-around time too.
Comments by recipients of Flash 500 critiques
t’s a really useful critique
t’s a really useful critique with lots of ideas where I can make improvements.
Comments from users of other outlets where I provide a critique service
Loved this book so much!
I loved this book so much! My first with Paolo Sterling but definitely not my last.