Manuscript Critique

Kathryn Kysar—Poetry Critique

Open to: Poetry

Limit: Please check on projects more than 100 pages

What You’ll Submit: Collections of poems from 20 pages to full manuscript of 100 pages 

What You’ll Get: Kathryn Kysar will help you polish your manuscript, clarify your purpose, and elevate your authentic voice with substantive editing. You’ll receive detailed and thoughtful letter that examines the larger concerns and themes in your manuscript as well as focused commentary on form and style. Kathryn can also present marketing, publication, and promotional ideas to help launch your writing into the world.

For shorter manuscripts, you’ll receive an assessment letter with compelling questions, incisive comments, and optional recommendations on how to best achieve your goals, reach your audiences, and present your poems. Kathryn’s in-depth comments will explore the scope and vision of the manuscript as well as craft issues, such as line breaks, use of sound and image, and stanzas and structure. Longer manuscript evaluations will examine central ideas, organization, and cohesiveness. The process will culminate in an hour-long phone or Zoom meeting after you have had a chance to review the feedback. (Two half hour meetings before and after the critique is possible as well.)

Testimonial: “Kathryn brought detailed knowledge of the publishing process and the expectations of editors to her critique. She was insightful in her evaluation and provided clear direction. Together, we created a working manuscript that is organized and thematically tight.” —Laura Hansen, poet

Pricing:

Loft poetry critique consists of a flat base price, plus a per page fee. You can enter your page count below and the system will calculate your price. 

• $200 (base price) + $17/page

Turnaround:

• Up to 20 pages of poetry: 2 weeks
• Up to 40 pages of poetry: 4 weeks
• Up to 60 pages of poetry: 6 weeks
• Full manuscript (up to 100 pages of poetry): 8 weeks