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Your First 50 Pages, Perfected with our Critique

The first 50 pages of your manuscript are vital to capturing your readers' attention.

Our expert critique ensures every word, from the opening line to the pivotal moments, works to draw readers in and keep them hooked.

The Wicked Ink Editing Approach:

Start with a Killer First 50 Pages

At Wicked Ink, our First 50 Pages Critique is designed to perfect the heart of your manuscript. We focus on transforming the first 50 pages of your story into a magnetic force that keeps readers hooked from the opening line. Whether it’s pacing, character introduction, dialogue, or narrative voice, we ensure every element grabs attention and builds intrigue. Our detailed review identifies key areas for improvement, enhancing emotional impact, clarity, and flow, so your story’s opening makes an unforgettable impression.

Tailored Critique

Every manuscript is unique, and so is our critique process. We tailor our feedback specifically to your first 50 pages, helping you perfect your opening while preserving your distinct voice. From refining the hook to deepening character development, we focus on strengthening the elements that will captivate your readers and set the stage for the rest of your story.

Collaborative Follow-up

Our critique isn’t just about feedback—it’s about ensuring you feel confident in your opening. After completing your critique, we offer a 30-minute virtual call to discuss our feedback in detail. We’ll guide you through our suggestions, answer any questions, and ensure your first 50 pages align with your vision, while benefiting from our professional insights.

Transparent Pricing

At Wicked Ink, we believe in full transparency when it comes to pricing. We offer clear, upfront rates with no hidden fees. Our commitment is to provide you with peace of mind throughout the editing process, so you can focus on your writing while we focus on fine-tuning your work. With our straightforward pricing, you’ll know exactly what to expect as we work together to perfect your manuscript. (Priced at $350; includes up to 12,500 words)

How We Perfect Your Manuscript:

Captivating Opening

Our First 50 Pages Critique is crafted to refine the essential elements of your opening, ensuring it hooks readers right from the first sentence. We focus on perfecting pacing, character introduction, dialogue, and narrative voice to create an irresistible start that draws readers in immediately. With our expert insights, we’ll help you craft an opening that leaves a lasting impression and compels readers to turn the page, eager for more. Get ready to make your story unforgettable from the very first word, setting the stage for success.

Strong Structural Flow

We examine the structure of your first 50 pages, ensuring key characters, setting, and conflict are introduced smoothly and effectively. Our critique sharpens pacing, builds tension, and ensures your character development aligns with the emotional beats of your narrative, creating a strong foundation for your story that captivates readers from the start.

Preserving Your Unique Voice

While we fine-tune your first 50 pages, we never compromise your unique voice. Our goal is to elevate your writing, enhancing clarity and flow without changing your tone or style. We focus on smoothing out any awkward phrasing or unclear character motivations, ensuring your authentic voice shines through as we help you perfect your opening.

Powerful First Impressions

Your first 50 pages are your opportunity to make a powerful first impression, and we’re here to ensure they deliver. Our critique focuses on refining character introductions, plot setup, and pacing to create a seamless, engaging opening. We address character motivations, narrative tension, and emotional impact, ensuring that your first 50 pages lay the groundwork for a captivating, unforgettable story.

Key Areas of Focus in a First 50 Pages Critique

Your first 50 pages are evaluated for its hook, character introductions, and narrative flow, providing expert insights on how to create a memorable and impactful start.

Opening Action:

The effectiveness of the opening action in grabbing the reader’s attention is assessed. Does the first 50 pages feature a compelling events or moments that draws readers in? Suggestions will be provided to ensure the opening is as engaging as possible.

Voice:

The unique narrative voice is analyzed, with recommendations to strengthen and maintain consistency throughout the first 50 pages. The goal is to ensure the voice stands out clearly and consistently, setting the tone for the rest of the story.

Dialogue:

Dialogue is evaluated for authenticity, relevance, and its role in revealing character motivations and conflicts. We’ll focus on enhancing conversations to breathe life into the characters and propel the story forward.

Connection:

The critique focuses on how well the first 50 pages establishes a connection between the reader and the characters. Insights will be provided on how to build empathy, relatability, and intrigue, ensuring readers feel invested in the characters from the start.

Showing vs. Telling:

The balance between description and action is examined to ensure the narrative is vivid and immersive. Guidance is provided on using sensory details and dynamic action effectively, while avoiding excess telling, to create a more engaging experience for the reader.

General Impressions:

An overall evaluation of pacing, narrative flow, and whether the first 50 pages effectively achieves its intended goals is provided. We’ll help ensure the first 50 pages sets a strong foundation for the rest of the story and provides clear direction for further development.

When Should You Consider a First 50 Pages Critique?

Submission Preparation:

When preparing to submit your manuscript to agents, publishers, or writing competitions, the first 50 pages are crucial for making a strong, lasting impression. A critique helps ensure your opening grabs attention and sets you up for success.

Post-Draft Review:

After completing your first draft, you might want a fresh perspective on your opening. A critique can help you identify any issues, such as pacing, character introductions, or missed opportunities, ensuring the beginning flows smoothly and hooks readers right away.

Struggling with the Beginning:

If you're finding it difficult to perfect your opening or get past a writing block, expert feedback can provide clarity and direction. Our critique helps you pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back and how to improve your first 50 pages to make them engaging.

Testing Reader Engagement:

To assess whether your opening successfully engages readers from the start, a critique can offer insights into how well the hook, pacing, and character introductions work. It’s an opportunity to ensure your readers will be invested and eager to continue.

Genre Alignment:

When venturing into a new genre or trying a different narrative style, a critique ensures your opening aligns with the expectations of that genre. We’ll help you adjust your tone, pacing, and character development to make your manuscript fit seamlessly within its intended category.

Voice and Style Refinement:

If you want to refine your narrative voice or storytelling style, focusing on the first 50 pages is key. It sets the tone for the rest of your manuscript, and our critique ensures your voice comes through clearly and effectively, leaving a strong impression on readers.

Our First 50 Pages Critique: What You’ll Receive

Strengthen your first 50 pages with our critique, focusing on narrative flow, character development, pacing, and reader engagement—ensuring a compelling opening.

🔍 In-Depth Manuscript Review

We go beyond a simple read—we immerse ourselves in your story, reading it multiple times to fully understand its strengths and areas for growth.

  • First Read-Through: We experience your story as a reader, absorbing its flow, engagement, and emotional impact.

  • Second Read-Through: We analyze structure, pacing, character depth, and narrative effectiveness, adding detailed in-line comments with actionable insights.

🖋️ Detailed Comments & Suggestions

For a detailed critique, we provide a Microsoft Word file enriched with Track Changes. This file showcases your manuscript with in-line comments alongside the text, making it easy for you to see our suggestions and feedback. Your story is at the forefront, with our commentary seamlessly integrated.

📝 Comprehensive Editorial Letter

Alongside your manuscript’s comments and suggestions, you'll receive an editorial letter (typically 7–10 pages)

In this letter, we highlight your chapter’s strengths, identify areas for growth, and offer detailed feedback on areas such as:

  • Hook & Opening Action: Ensure your opening lines captivate readers and set the tone for a compelling story.

  • Dialogue & Character Voice: Refine conversations for authenticity, depth, and distinct character voices.

  • Show vs. Tell: Balance sensory detail and action to create an immersive reading experience.

  • Narrative Voice & Reader Connection: Strengthen tone, style, and emotional resonance while preserving your unique voice.

📞 Collaborative Follow-Up

We include a 30-minute virtual call to discuss your Editorial Letter and overall feedback. This one-on-one session is your opportunity to:

  • Ask questions about the feedback.

  • Clarify specific points or suggestions.

  • Develop a clear action plan for the next stage of your manuscript.

💰 Cost: $350.00

📆 Delivery Time: 10 business days

Your First 50 Pages Matter—Make Them Unforgettable!

With our expert critique, you'll gain the insight and confidence to craft a strong, immersive opening that hooks readers and sets the tone for your entire manuscript.

How to Book Our First 50 Pages Critique

From inquiry to delivery: With our simple 6-step booking process.

  • Submit your First 50 Pages Critique Booking Request to get started. An editor will contact you within one business day with a proposed timeline. This booking request allows us to gather key information about your manuscript, including:

    • Genre

    • Word count

    • Book synopsis

    • Your preferred completion date

  • Once you accept the booking request dates submitted by the editors, we’ll send you a detailed service agreement outlining:

    • Terms and conditions

    • Agreed-upon timeline

    • Deliverables & scope of work

    • Payment schedule

    Once the service agreement is accepted, we’ll send you a deposit invoice to confirm your booking. A $150 deposit is required, this deposit secures your spot on our editorial calendar and ensures we can begin work on your manuscript as planned.

  • To officially start the First 50 Pages Critique, we will require your manuscript to be submitted to us the day prior to when your critique is to officially begin. The required manuscript file can be submitted via email and is due by 11:59pm MST, prior to the project start date.

    Follow the submission guidelines below:

    • First 50 Pages (up to 12,500 words)

    • 1.5 or 2.0 Line Spacing

    • 12 point font - Times New Roman

    • File Type: .docx

    • File Name: “yourname_title”

  • With your First 50 Pages in hand, our experienced editors will:

    • Thoroughly review your work.

    • Provide suggestions, revisions, and detailed feedback on opening action, showing vs. telling, voice, etc.

    • Deliver a tracked document with comments, and actionable suggestions.

  • As the editing process nears completion, we will send the final invoice balance. The remaining balance must be paid in full before the project’s delivery date to ensure we can provide all agreed-upon deliverables.

  • After receiving your final payment, we will:

    • Deliver the First 50 Pages Critique.

    • Provide all additional project deliverables, ready for the next phase of your writing journey.

    • Booking link for your follow-up call.

    • Also a link to fill out a feedback (testimonial) form if you wish.

Still Unsure? Let's Talk Editing!

Book a Discovery Call now to make sure a First 50 Pages Critique is the "write" choice for you.

Not ready to commit? Submit a Sample Edit and experience our editing expertise firsthand before making your decision!

Learn More About The First 50 Pages

We specialize in the following genres for First 50 Pages Critiques

Action & Adventure | Contemporary | Contemporary Romance | Cozy Mystery | Cozy Romance | Crime | Dark Fantasy | Dark Romance

Dystopian | Fantasy | Historical Fiction | Horror | Literary Fiction | Mystery | New Adult | Paranormal | Psychological | Romance

Science Fiction | Serial Killer | Slasher | Supernatural | Suspense | Thriller | Women’s Fiction | Young Adult

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Our First Chapter Critique is priced at $350, with delivery within 10 business days.

  • The entire cost of $350 is due at the time of booking to secure your spot on our editorial calendar. This will be outlined according to the preferred booking dates within your service agreement.

    • Dual Read-Throughs:

      • First Full Read-Through: An immersive reading experience, evaluating flow, pacing, and overall engagement to ensure your first 50 pages hooks the reader right from the start.

      • Second Full Read-Through with In-Line Comments: A more detailed analysis, where we provide insightful in-line comments to highlight your strengths and offer targeted suggestions for improvement.

    • Microsoft Word File with Track Changes:

      • Your manuscript with integrated in-line comments, making it easy to review our feedback and see exactly where changes can be made for improvement.

    • Comprehensive Editorial Letter (7-10 pages):

      • A thorough review of your first 50 pages, focusing on areas such as opening action, dialogue authenticity, showing vs. telling, strengthening your unique voice, and building a stronger connection with the reader. We also provide specific, actionable advice for revisions.

    • 30-Minute Virtual Follow-Up Call:

      • A personalized, one-on-one session to discuss our feedback in detail, answer any questions you may have, clarify specific suggestions, and develop a clear action plan to enhance your first 50 pages and move forward with your manuscript.

  • A First 50 Pages Critique is ideal when you're preparing to submit your manuscript, after completing the first draft, or if you're struggling with your story's beginning. It's also helpful when testing reader engagement, ensuring your opening hooks the audience, or when switching genres or styles. Additionally, it provides valuable insight for refining your narrative voice and tone, setting the stage for the rest of the manuscript. Whether you’re starting fresh or revising, a critique of the first 50 pages helps you perfect your opening and ensure it captures attention.

  • To ensure availability, it’s recommended to book your First 50 Pages Critique on average 1–2 weeks in advance. However, timelines may vary based on our editorial schedule. If you have a specific deadline, contact us early and we can help secure a spot.

  • Yes! We love working on all fiction genres. If you’re unsure on what we might bring to your work (genre), feel free to contact us to discuss your project or submit for a Sample Edit.

  • After you receive your First 50 Pages Critique and deliverables, we suggest reviewing the feedback and then scheduling your included 30-minute virtual call where you can:

    • Ask questions about the feedback.

    • Clarify specific points or suggestions.

    • Discuss the next steps for your manuscript.

  • Yes, of course! We encourage open communication and are happy to answer any questions. This is why we include the 30-minute virtual call. This is your opportunity with us to answer any questions you may have and go over the feedback!

  • Yes, confidentiality is a top priority. Your manuscript will remain secure and private throughout the editing process. If you decide to move forward with us and book a First 50 Pages Critique, part of our service agreement includes a non-disclosure clause. So your work is fully protected.

  • Yes! We offer a Sample Edit, so you can experience how our feedback works and decide if it aligns with your vision before committing to a First 50 Pages Critique.

    NOTE: Select (Developmental Edit) on the Sample Edit form, as this focuses on the same elements as a critique.

    You can also download our First 50 Pages Critique Booklet (Link download) which has more information and a sample of a First 50 Page Critique.

  • Yes! Absolutely! We provide a free, no-obligation discovery call where we can answer any questions you may have regarding our services. We’ll go over your goals, answer your questions, provide clarity, and recommend the best editing service for your story.

    You can Book your Discovery Call now.

  • Absolutely! After we send you the deliverables and complete the follow-up call, we'll provide you with a link to a feedback form. We truly value your feedback, as it helps future writers who may want to work with us. As a token of our thanks, we offer a discount code for your next editing service after completing the feedback form. While it's entirely up to you, we encourage you to share your thoughts to help us improve and continue offering the best service possible.

  • You can always reach out to us through our Contact Form and we would be happy to answer your questions.