Have you read Book Fun Magazine’s February Edition?
http://www.bookfunmagazine.com/i/455584
In the Australian Spirit of ‘Having a Go’, and following the theme of my column in Book Fun this month, I am offering one reader a free manuscript appraisal with my editor, Iola Goulton of Christian Editing Services, N.Z.
All you have to do is provide Iola with a 25 word overview of your manuscript. Send this to her by email at: igoulton@christianediting.co.nz
We would also like to know why you would like to win this prize. Please leave this answer here on my blog in the comments.
This contest will be open throughout the month of February. We will prayerfully considering any submission.
Full details of prize:
Manuscript Assessment – Iola Goulton. Christian Editing Services. New Zealand.
Manuscripts must be written in English. The winning manuscript must be sent before June 2015.
A manuscript assessment is an appraisal and critique of your novel, providing feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of your plot, plot, structure, characterisation, point of view, dialogue, interior monologue. I may also undertake some basic fact checking or, for historical novels, highlight potential anachronisms.
This will highlight your strengths, and provide you with specific areas on which to focus the revision of your manuscript. This is most appropriate when you have finished writing and revising your first draft, and is especially useful for authors who have doubts about one or more aspects of their writing—there is little point in polishing the spelling and grammar of a passage that needs to be rewritten.
Up to 60,000 words only.
Value AU $275.00
I am a freelance editor specialising in Christian fiction aimed at adults and young adults. While I specialise in fiction, I also edit non-fiction on occasion. Non-fiction projects have included memoir, theology and self-help. I love to read, and I read and review around 150 novels a year on my blog, www.christianreads.blogspot.com.
I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in marketing, and have twenty years of experience as a human resources consultant, which has included writing and editing a company newsletter, designing and writing the content for a government website, contributing three chapters to a professional text, and writing and proofreading more client reports than I can count. You can find out more about my services at www.christianediting.co.nz.
Rose Dee. Author. Redemptive Fiction 
Rose and Iola,
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I wrote this fiction book back in 2011. I have had to put it aside while God asked me to fulfill other commitments. In the fall of 2014, God started speaking to me that it was time to pull it out and start polishing it up. I was missing Jace and Simone (the main characters in the book). 🙂 God started to free up my schedule in January 2015 so that I have time to devote again this this novel and hopefully get it published in the near future. I would love a professional opinion to help me along the way on this journey – highlighting my strengths and helping me to improve on my weaknesses.
Thank you again for praying over every submission you receive. I am grateful just to have the opportunity to be considered.
in Him,
Cheri Swalwell
Hi Cheri,
I completely understand how it feels to miss your characters. Sometimes, when I am having a bad day, I wonder what the gang on Resolution Island are up to. Makes me want to write about them again.
Thank you for entering.
xx Rose.
Hi Rose:
I was talking to my kids about the book in the car today. (They helped me name the children in the book three years ago.) It was amazing how much of the story they remembered just from us talking about it (they have never read it.) Yup – they are definitely part of our family. 🙂
Blessings to you, Rose. Have a wonderful day and thank you again for this contest. What a blessing – no matter who wins!
In Him,
Cheri 🙂
Hi Rose and Iola. Thanks for this competition – it’s genuinely appreciated.
Why have I entered and would I like to win?
For years, my heart and head have been at loggerheads (or loggerhearts) about my writing … my heart believes I am led to write, my head wants me to earn a living. So I have been snatching moments here and there to work on my novel, fitting it in between the paid writing work and it has found a restless home on the backburner. Then God challenged me to trust Him for the paid stuff and the manuscript has flowed from that.
Having some input at first draft level would be ideal – hence my interest.
Thanks again for supporting writers in this way.
Regards, David
Hi David,
I share your heartache over balancing living work and writing work. But, when we follow the Lord’s plan – it all works.(Although how He works it, amazes me) 🙂
Thank you for entering. Iola is a wonderful editor. I have learned so much from her.
Blessings,
Rose.
Thanks for this opportunity. I’d love to have Iola help me with my manuscript. I have written a romance novel but I’m worried it’s not much of a romance.It has some faith elements in it although my characters are not Christians and in it I’ve explored issues of grief and loss after my main characters husband dies and she and her children become homeless. I believe the story is great but I’m lacking depth in character development and in the romantic connections. I’d dearly appreciate the help if I win.
Hi Nicki,
I used to think I wrote romance novels, but my books are a bit of everything. Makes specific branding a little hard – but it’s what I love to write.
Iola is fantastic. I am sure she could help you out. I know she is prayerfully considering each submission for this prize.
Blessing to you.
Rose.
Hi Rose and Iola,
I am so excited to even be able to enter this competition, it’s a wonderful opportunity.
I would love to win simply because I know a manuscript appraisal can make the difference between a good manuscript, and a great manuscript.
Thank you both so much and God bless xx
Kiah
Hi Kiah,
An appraisal can do so much for a story. I recently had Iola give me an appraisal for my work in progress, her suggestions have improved my work dramatically.
Iola is currently considering each submission for this prize. We will let everyone know very soon.
Blessings to you on your writing journey.
Rose. xo
Just saying, 25 words as an overview of a novel is not an easy feat! Done and sent. Thanks for the opportunity Rose and Iola. Blessings.
Nigh to impossible, I bet. In hindsight – we could have made that longer. I think you’ve done a fabulous job – it’s like writing a blurb.
xo
I hope you know I wasn’t having a go at you!! It made me think how I’d explain my book to someone in one sentence. Not easy.
NO- I didn’t get that at all, Nicki. It’s all good.
At the time I conceived this give away with Iola we didn’t talk over the word limit. 25 was suggested so we went with it. But I now consider I would have trouble with only 25 words. I haven’t read any of the submissions – they go straight to Iola. But I think if you’ve managed to work within it, you deserve some praise. 🙂