Query & Submissions Packet Evaluation

Critique and revision guidance from experienced agents and publishing editors

Frustrated by the lack of positive response to your query letter? Wanting to make sure your submission materials are in the best shape possible before submitting your manuscript to agents and publishers? Puzzled by form rejections that don't give you any indication of why people are passing on your manuscript?

Many editors on our staff have worked as agents or acquisitions editors and bring an insider's perspective to their review and evaluation of author submission materials.

Overview

Consideration from a literary agent or publisher almost always involves a query letter, and in many cases they'll want to see a synopsis and sample pages before requesting a full manuscript. TED's Query & Submissions Packet Evaluation bundles expert critical analysis of the three components of a typical submission (query, synopsis and first 50 pages of the manuscript), all based on the insights and knowledge gleaned from 30 years of success in placing our clients' best manuscripts with literary agents. We'll provide a candid critique of your materials and clear recommendations to improve your pitch so you can make the best impression possible.

We obviously can't anticipate the subjective tastes and preferences of every reviewer, but we can help you avoid many of the mistakes writers often make with their submission materials by advising on any issues that should be addressed before you begin or continue the submissions process.

What To Expect

A critique and analysis of the three most important components of an introductory submission to most literary agents and publishers. We'll evaluate your sample's readiness for the marketplace with attention to content, style, commercial appeal, and overall presentation and provide suggestions as to what to consider to give your submission the best odds of good reception.

Our Query & Submissions Packet Evaluation is a two-pronged service, with feedback coming from two sources. Karinya Funsett-Topping, director of our Agent Matchmaking Program, or Beth Jusino, director of our Book and Author Marketing division, will review your query letter and provide written feedback on its overall effectiveness and what should be considered to improve the odds of an agent wanting to see more. At the same time, an editor experienced in your genre will review your synopsis (up to 1,250 words) and the first 50 pages (up to 12,500 words) of your manuscript. You'll receive an editorial memo providing candid, constructive feedback on the literary and commercial potential of your work, what works, what doesn't, and what kinds of changes can give your manuscript and/or synopsis a more competitive edge.

In cases where a project's premise or conceptual or stylistic weaknesses significantly limit the likelihood of successful placement, the report will explore and explain the challenges in further detail with suggestions on how you might go about rethinking the project and getting it on a better track.

Pricing

Standard Price: $175

For sample material of up to 12,500 words and a synopsis of up to 1,250 words, and a typical one-page query letter.

Looking for feedback for materials of a different length? Custom packages are available on request. Please contact the Tucson office for more information.