Tired of all the form rejection notices from literary agents and publishers who rarely provide constructive criticism? Do you genuinely want to improve your fiction writing skills and receive honest feedback from someone who has worked for publishers and also written four books? FictionMD is here to help.
FictionMD is a service for writers of fiction who want to receive an in-depth critique of their works in process, as well as line editing, before submitting to agents or publishers.
Through the Publerati submissions process, we see the need for writers to receive practical information involving common developmental concerns, such as what's missing, what should be removed, and the larger "book doctor" problems that prevent writers from being considered by agents and publishers.
This service is provided by Caleb Mason, who is the publisher of Publerati. His passion is analyzing and understanding how novels work, and after three decades as a publisher, writer, and editor, he would like to offer what he has learned to others in the spirit of kaizen, or continuous improvement.
"I had a great experience working with Mr. Mason. He provided a very detailed review of my manuscript and helped me make it "pitch-ready." As a writer, it is almost impossible to critique one's own work with such detail, particularly when it comes to sentence construction and superfluous statements, and especially when the work has tens of thousands of words. I am glad I got help from Mr. Mason and highly recommend his services." -- Amit Verma, his novel successfully sold.
What You Get and What it Costs
Q: What's the difference between a plumber and a fiction doctor?
A: The plumber charges more.
This program is selective, which means before your work will be accepted for the critique by Mr. Mason, you need to submit the first fifty pages of your work as a Microsoft Word attachment. If accepted, the price to critique and edit the first fifty pages ranges from $5-$10 per page depending on how much developmental and line editing is needed. Your deliverable will consist of a reader's report, similar to what large publishers use when considering a work that has potential, and also the suggested line edits.
This reader's report will highlight what you are doing well and what needs improvement. This will include actual line-editing via tracked changes within the work, as well as pointing out style and punctuation inconsistencies. It typically will include thoughts about character development, engaging the reader early on, and issues with the pacing of the work. Additionally, concerns with how the story is being told, the narrative voice, and where plot and character tensions may need adjustments. Most important, and most difficult, work with you to assess what may be missing.
If you are accepted, you will be asked to pay via PayPal or a written check to receive your reader's report. The report will be delivered within 30 days of payment receipt. There are no refunds, given the subjective nature of the work being performed and the time it typically takes for many writers to allow the feedback to soak in.
This service is being offered because most literary agents and publishers provide form rejections, without helping promising authors improve their work. We would like to help rectify that problem.
About Your Editor
Caleb Mason began his publishing career at Little, Brown and Company working in the adult trade division. He moved on to help launch Salem House Publishers, which was eventually acquired by News Corp. He is the author of the Normal Family Trilogy under the pen name Don Trowden, as well as the non-fiction book The Isles of Shoals Remembered. He is an avid reader of fiction and has studied the art form for more than forty years.
You can read author testimonials here.
Submit for Consideration
To have your work considered for the FictionMD program, please email the first fifty pages of your manuscript as a Word attachment to Caleb Mason at [email protected]. Please mark the subject line with "FictionMD Submission." If accepted, you will hear via return email within two weeks of your email. Thanks and good luck.
