FEEDBACK, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT FOR COMPLETED PROJECTS

Don't know what to do next with your finished manuscript?

Need to rework things, but what?

Received unhelpful, unspecific notes from readers?

Submitted to contests and agents with no real traction?

Feel stuck, creatively, and don’t know how to move forward?

Wish you could get a comprehensive overview of what's working in your manuscript and constructive feedback on how to fix what's not?

A DEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATION CAN HELP

Please select a developmental evaluation from the packages below 

FIRST 5 PAGES EVALUATION - UP TO 1250 WORDS
The beginning of your novel is extremely important! This is why agents request the first few pages or the first chapter for query submissions. This developmental evaluation will assess the first five pages of your manuscript. Perfect for getting a taste of what a developmental evaluation entails, or for polishing work to submit to contests or agent queries. Only available for manuscripts. 

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of the first five pages of your manuscript (up to 1250 words) to determine what’s working and what needs improvement.

  • An editorial letter of personalized and actionable feedback with the next steps and solutions so you have a detailed map of where to invest your energy in the revision. 

  • Inline analysis so you can see what you’re doing well and areas that need improvement.

$37.00

Price based on standard industry rates per word.
SINGLE CHAPTER EVALUATION - UP TO 5000 WORDS
The beginning of your novel is extremely important! This is why agents request the first few pages or the first chapter for query submissions. This developmental evaluation will assess a single chapter of your manuscript. Perfect for getting a taste of what a developmental evaluation entails, getting help on a chapter that isn't working, or polishing work to submit to contests or agent queries. 

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of a single chapter (up to 5000 words) to determine what’s working and what needs improvement.

  • An editorial letter of personalized and actionable feedback with the next steps and solutions so you have a detailed map of where to invest your energy in the revision. 

  • Inline analysis of a single chapter so you can see what you’re doing well and areas that need improvement.

$150.00

Price based on standard industry rates per word.
FULL MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION - UP TO 120,000 WORDS
This developmental evaluation is a comprehensive review of your full-length novel.


PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of your novel of up to 120,000 words to determine what’s working, what needs improvement, and how to fix it.

  • An editorial letter with personalized and actionable feedback with the next steps and solutions so you have a detailed map of where to invest your energy. 

  • Inline analysis of your first 20 pages so you can see what you’re doing well and areas that need improvement.

$2597.00

Price based on standard industry rates per word.
SCREENPLAYS, SHORTS, AND TV PILOTS
I offer various types of script coverage. Please contact me to discuss the type of coverage you are looking for and rates. 

BEFORE YOU PURCHASE...

Here are some things you need to know:

  • Turnaround time for Developmental Evaluations can take anywhere between 2 weeks to a month or more, depending on the package and availability. Please keep this in mind when purchasing and contact me with any questions. 

  • Pricing varies for each Developmental Evaluation package and is based on word count. I will only evaluate the word count purchased. Please double-check the word count of your project when purchasing.

  • Developmental Evaluations can be expensive, I know! My evaluations are incredibly intensive. I take time to thoroughly and constructively assess what's working and what isn't, and create a personalized action plan to help you fix problem areas. A Developmental Evaluation will never leave you hanging, wondering, "Well, now what do I do?" Full manuscript evaluations are on the pricier side because they are meant for projects that have gone through several revisions and are ready for an editor's perspective. If you have a rough draft or are wondering if your manuscript is worth taking further, I highly recommend the Fast Track Story Map mini-course, a Single Chapter Evaluation, a First 5 Evaluation, or One On One Story Guidance instead. 

  • Please be aware that a Developmental Evaluation may pinpoint structural problems that require considerable rewriting. To quickly and easily check or craft a broad structure for your story, I recommend the Fast Track Story Map mini-course.  Additionally, One-On-One Story Guidance is available at a reduced rate with the purchase of a Developmental Evaluation package, to help make the rewriting process less daunting. 

  • There's no magic pill I can give you to get your butt in the chair and make you write. You must put in the work and commit to the process, to really want to write your story and become a better writer. I can help you do those things, but I can’t make you do them. So if you’re hoping I can wave a magic wand and you’ll suddenly have a NY Times Bestseller, a Developmental Evaluation isn't for you. 

  • While I can't guarantee a publishing contract, I can guarantee to be your sounding board, to cheer you, give you hard truths, educate you in your writing and the market, stretch you, and hold you accountable. I guarantee to be there for every scene of your story. 
Story Guide





My time with Libby as my book coach left me feeling supported, respected, seen, and most of all, inspired. Hiring The Story Guide’s Libby Baker is simply a no-brainer.



HI! I'M LIBBY 



I'm a developmental editor and fiction coach helping screenwriters become novelists, and helping novelists write their best books. I love to help all writers shine a light on the injustice, inequity, and dangers lurking in human nature. I believe in the power of media to change cultural conversation. My mission is to empower, guide, and raise the voices of writers who believe that real change can happen through the stories we tell.

I’m a certified Author Accelerator Fiction Book Coach, a rigorous coach training program created by Jennie Nash. I have over 25+ years of diverse experience in the entertainment industry as an actor, screenwriter, VO artist, children's theatre instructor, as well as a content writer for an online magazine. I love sharing my insights into navigating the unpredictable freelance life and building a successful career in the arts, as well as my experience in storytelling through various mediums, to help writers write their best novels, and screenwriters transition to novel writing.


story guide

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