Alexandra Writers' Centre
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A Manuscript Review that works for you

A manuscript review is not an edit.
On rare occasions, reviewers may provide line edits in order to illustrate a point, but reviewers are not contracted to edit your manuscript. 
​
A manuscript review is an overview of your manuscript identifying areas for improvement on craft-based elements. The reviewer will focus on character, structure, pace, theme, conflict, voice, narrative style, showing vs. telling.

A manuscript review is always subjective. We try to match you with the best reviewer for your genre. A manuscript review should allow you to go away with the comments, read and review, process and figure out how you, the writer, will incorporate  the suggestions, because in the end, it is always your story.

Help Us Help You

When you submit a mansucript for review, you will be asked if you are concerned about any specific areas, if you have specific questions you would like answered. The reviewer will look at your questions and should provide feedback on those areas, as well as any overarching areas that they think could be of benefit to your manuscript. Tell us as much as possible about your writing background and your goals for your manuscript. For example, not everyone wants to be published. Some writers are looking to create something for their family, or intend to self-publish. Depending on your goals, the review will reflect that as much as possible.

What You Will Get Back

Depending on the length of your manuscript and availability of reviewers, this process can take up to 4-6 weeks for completion. 

You should get back a marked up mansucript (usually using Track Changes in MS Word).

You should get back a detailed overview. This overview will typically include what the reviewer liked about your manuscript and areas in which you could improve such as character development, plot, structure, point of view, conflict, story arc, voice, pacing and so much more. These can range anywhere from 1 page to 10 pages. 

Once you have reviewed the comments and suggestions, you are allowed one or two follow up questions for clarity, if needed. Just contact us to let us know and we will connect you with the reviewer, or if the reviewer has already given you their contact information, feel free to follow up. 

Note: 
Sometimes reviews can sting a little. As writers we work so hard on our manuscripts and it's hard to hear criticism. We recommend that you read the criticism and then sit on it for a few weeks, think about it. Sometimes things that seemed completely off base the first time around, makes way more sense later. 

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Alexandra Writers' Centre Society
460, 1721, 29th Ave SW
Calgary, AB T2T 6T7


403.264.4730
General Inquiries: info@alexandrawriters.org
  • Home
    • About >
      • The History
      • The Mission
      • The Team
      • The Board of Directors
      • Employment & Volunteer Opportunities
      • Our Sponsors
    • Contact
  • Membership
    • Member Showcase
  • Services
    • Current Courses and Workshops >
      • Chapter by Chapter
    • J Michael Fay Subsidy Program
    • ABLit Book Club
    • Annual Writers Retreat
    • Author Development Program
    • Books, Gifts and More...
    • Get Lit Writer Series
    • Manuscript Review Service
    • Many Voices Monthly Writing Contest
    • Writer in Residence Program
  • Events
    • People's Poetry Festival 2023