FEEDBACK, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT FOR COMPLETED PROJECTS

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

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 edit will evaluate 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.

$27.00



SINGLE CHAPTER EVALUATION

ONE CHAPTER UP TO 5K 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 edit will evaluate a single chapter of your manuscript. Perfect for getting a taste of what a developmental evaluation entails, for getting help on a chapter that isn't working, or for polishing work to submit to contests or agent queries. Only available for manuscripts. 

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.

$97.00



60K-WORD NOVEL EVALUATION

UP TO 60K WORDS

This developmental edit will help fix your short novel and get it ready for sending out to agents, publishers, or to self-publish.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of your novel of up to 60,000 words to determine what’s working and what needs improvement.
  • 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.

$1197.00



120K-WORD NOVEL EVALUATION

60K-120K WORDS

This developmental edit will help fix your full-length novel and get it ready for sending out to agents, publishers, or to self-publish.


PACKAGE INCLUDES:

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

$2397.00


SHORT SCRIPT EVALUATION

UP TO 80 PAGES

This developmental edit will help fix your short script and get it ready for sending out or shooting.


PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of your script up to 80 pages 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 your first 5 pages so you can see what you’re doing well and areas that need improvement.

$297.00



FULL-LENGTH SCRIPT EVALUATION

80-130 PAGES

This developmental edit will help fix your full-length script and get it ready for sending out or shooting.

PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • A big-picture analysis of your 80- 130 page script 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 your first 20 pages so you can see what you’re doing well and areas that need improvement.

GOT A FINISHED PROJECT THAT'S READY TO PITCH?

congratulations!

Please check out my Pitch Strategy Services!

BEFORE YOU APPLY...

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 an action plan to help you fix problems. A Developmental Evaluation will never leave you hanging, wondering, "Well, now what do I do?" Full project Evaluations are on the pricier side because they are meant for manuscripts or scripts 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 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. 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 or an Oscar-winning screenplay, a Developmental Evaluation isn't for you. 

  • While I can't guarantee a publishing contract or a red-carpet premier, 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 coach helping fiction writers at all levels bring their novels or scripts to life. I help writers of horror, dystopian sci-fi, and historical fiction shine a light on the injustice, inequity, and dangers lurking in human nature. 

Storytelling is in my bones. As a child, I preferred to spend my free time typing up short stories on my mom’s old typewriter. I spent my summers checking out a weekly stack of books at the library (I always nailed the summer reading challenge). And I published my first poem in the Prairie Winds Art Journal at age twelve.

A well-told, meaningful story teaches us how to be human, understand ourselves and others, and be good citizens of the world. It allows us to practice empathy and compassion. It shows us how to resolve the most common and complex of human predicaments. 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. 

Stories are powerful. That’s why I’ve devoted my 25+ year career as an actorwriter, screenplay consultant, and children’s theatre instructor to telling meaningful stories and guiding others to tell theirs. I offer honesty, accountability, guidance, and structure to help you finish your story and make it the best it can be.







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