Hey, friend! I see you’re writing a children’s book. How exciting!
It probably won’t surprise you to hear that I have some expertise in writing children’s books, particularly picture books. But did you know that I also help others write children’s books? That’s right. I critique manuscripts and help talk through story problems.
I have helped authors identify themes and find direction in their rough drafts, apply agent/publisher feedback to manuscripts, and work through sticky parts that just aren’t working quite right in their stories.
In 2023 alone, I critiqued over 100 manuscripts. Some of those manuscripts have gone on to land offers of representation from agents, some are out on submission, and some are even published books found on store shelves right now.
I would love to be a small part of your writing success story. Soooooo… how can I help you?
PEAK TEAM CRITIQUES
April Berry and Nicole Garnett are excited to offer PEAK TEAM CRITIQUES! This unique critique experience gives you the opportunity to have not one, but TWO talented authors read and critique your picture book manuscript. This professional service is geared toward non-rhyming picture books under 700 words. Together, April and Nicole provide insights and feedback to help your manuscript reach its peak potential!
Whether you’re working on revising a rough draft or polishing a manuscript acquired by a publisher, we can help. We provide a summation of what is working well, suggestions for elevating your manuscript, and a few paragraphs of general feedback in addition to scene and line-level comments.
Cost for a Peak Team Critique (non-rhyming PB manuscripts up to 700 words): $80
30-MINUTE BRAINSTORM SESSION
Are you stumped? Is there something that’s not quite working right in your picture book story? Need a kidlit mind to bounce ideas off? Brainstorming is one of my favorite things to do! There is nothing more satisfying than talking through a story’s sticky points and then watching the pieces fall into place afterwards. Let’s figure it out together over a video chat.
Cost: $30
READ ALOUD AUDIO FILES
Ever wonder what your story sounds like when it’s read aloud by someone else? Wonder no more! While I am not a professional voice-over actor or anything like that, I am a mom who has read a lot of stories aloud as well as a writer who knows how helpful (and motivating) it is to hear your story read by someone else. I will provide an audio file of myself reading your picture book story (up to 1000 words).
Cost: $10
PICTURE BOOK MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE
Need another set of eyes on your manuscript? Look no further! Whether you’re working on revisions of a rough draft or putting the final polish on a manuscript acquired by a publisher, I can help.
I offer a professional critique of one picture book manuscript (700 words or less, non-rhyming). This includes a summation of what is working well, suggestions for elevating your manuscript, and a few paragraphs of general feedback. Additionally, I provide scene and line level comments. While I may point out some grammar issues, I generally do not look for or correct grammar errors. Currently, I do not offer critiques for stories written in rhyme.
Cost for non-rhyming manuscripts up to 700 words: $55
(Do you write in a different genre or have a longer manuscript? Please contact me for special rates.)
OTHER SERVICES
Is there something else I can do to assist you in your writing journey? Let’s chat about it! Send me an email, and we’ll see what we can work out.
LET’S GET STARTED!
For all author services other than Peak Team Critiques, email me at AprilBerryBooksLLC@gmail.com to get started. (For a Peak Team Critique, click here.)
Here’s what others have to say about my services:
I always look forward to April’s critiques. Whether she’s providing specific wording suggestions or asking big picture questions, her insights provide clarity. After her reviews, I feel a renewed sense of direction with my stories. And somehow you don’t feel like you were critiqued at all – You just had a chat with your biggest cheerleader!
– Jacqueline Lindsey
I highly recommend April’s critique services. She has a very keen eye and makes so many helpful and thought-provoking suggestions. She manages to do this in a way that leaves you feeling inspired and enthused, not deflated. She obviously has your best interest at heart and is rooting for your story to work. I absolutely loved the audio recording that she provided- so helpful to hear your story read back to you, and with April’s beautiful reading voice and enthusiasm, this really helped me to see the potential in the story. I will definitely be using April’s services again
– Angela Jelf
April has the innate ability to hone in on the rough, inconsistent spots and make positive suggestions strengthening your story. She utilizes just the right amount of magic and clarity to enhance your creativity without losing sight of the original tale.
– Sue Sutherland
I’ve had the great fortune of having April’s eyes on several manuscripts, and each time I read through one of her critiques, I’m blown away at how thoughtfully and concisely she’s able to get to the heart of my story and offer supportive suggestions to help it more fully emerge. From thoughts on tone and pacing to line edits, April has a knack for unlocking the sticky spots of a story and helping to spark new ideas that always move my work forward.
– Amy Chini
I was blown away by April’s critique of my manuscript. I could tell that she took the time to really understand it and speak to the project holistically. She was able to look at the text and address both the conceptual and the line levels. Her feedback was insightful, well-thought out, and delivered with kindness and respect. Not only that, but when she pointed out an area for improvement, she also provided options for me to consider or use as jumping off points. Would 100% recommend to anyone needing a professional critique!
– Citlali Tolia
April is so detailed in every critique she does for me! She truly takes time to think about and understand my story, then provides detailed feedback that helps me grow as a writer as well as improve my story. I cannot recommend her enough, especially to those pursuing picture book and short story publication. April knows her stuff!
– Michelle Kastanek
April’s critiques are always thorough and professional. She has a knack for being able to find the parts that are “sticky” and offer helpful suggestions about how to improve them. April is also very skilled at recognizing the heart of my story and helping to draw it out more clearly. I think April is also very skilled at keeping tabs on the “pulse” of the kidlit publishing world. She is extremely organized, responsive, and communicates clearly. Whenever I receive a critique from April, it always makes my story better. She’s the best!
– Mallory Foret
I needed this so bad- wish I would have done it sooner! Her critique was spot on and she had such easy creative ideas.
– Paul Schex
April’s critiques are thoughtful, thorough, and skillful. She is wonderful at story development and also at tightening sentences and structure. But most of all, what comes across in April’s critiques is that she is rooting for you and your story. Her warmth and kindness inspires me to keep going, keep revising, keep writing.
– Stacey Ramirez
April has a gift for being able to offer valuable feedback on both line-level edits, and big picture development. She respects the heart of the story while exploring different ways to elevate it. She’s super friendly, responsive, and professional. She cares deeply about children’s books and it shows!
– Hannah Lorenzo
April supplies me with real “Aha!” moments that I would have never seen without her keen perception of text. It doesn’t matter that our chosen genres are so different; her writerly intuition crosses the genre lines. My writing has improved through the critique services of April Berry.
– Marcie Woods, Write! Michigan 2022 short story winner
April provided creative insights about how to elevate a section of my Middle Grade verse novel that left me excited to get right back to work on the draft. I highly recommend her services!
– Kelly Clasen
April did an amazing job with my manuscript – she narrowed in on exactly the bits I really needed to accentuate and had some amazing, concrete suggestions on how to improve it. The feedback was very detailed, very informative and incredibly useful. She went above and beyond my expectations. I shall happily send her more of my stories in the future and can highly recommend her!
– Robynn Hyde
