2nd Draft Critique Service

Don't submit that manuscript...
Without a professional review from the professionals at Writer's Digest!

Before you send out that manuscript to an editor or agent, make sure it's got a fighting chance. Send your work to 2^nd Draft Critique Service and get specific, tailored advice you need to get an extra edge on the competition — and make your work more marketable.

After a thorough evaluation of your submission, one of our hand-selected-professional critiquers will give detailed feedback and recommendations. You'll not only learn what's working in your writing, but what's not, and — most important — how to fix it.

What Can You Expect from a 2^nd Draft Review?

2^nd Draft Critique Service provides a high-level review of your work, pointing out reasons your work may be getting rejected, or may not meet the standards of traditional publication. It offers:

• An overall evaluation of the manuscript's strengths and weaknesses
• For works of fiction, specific comments on elements such as plot, characterization, dialogue, and setting.
• For works of nonfiction, specific comments on focus, development, organization, clarity, visual elements (if applicable.
• Specific comments on appropriateness to proposed target market.
• A red flag on consistent issues of grammar, mechanics, spelling or style
• A clear idea of how to revise

What Can You NOT Expect
2^nd Draft reviewers will not:

• Rewrite or revise for you, except in the case of providing an example of how to revise on your own.
• Correct grammar, mechanics and spelling. This requires a professional copyeditor or proofreader. However, a reviewer will point out any patterns of surface-level error that may pose a significant problem for you.
• Check and correct for style (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style or AP style). This requires a professional copyeditor or proofreader.
• Provide any fact-checking.
• Provide answers or advice on legal issues.

Minimum length requirement

To take advantage of 2^nd Draft, you must have at least 50 consecutive manuscript pages ready for review. You're welcome to submit as many consecutive pages as you like, though they must all be from the same work.

Formatting Requirements

All documents must be submitted electronically in ONE of the following formats:

Word document (.doc or .docx)

Rich Text File (.rtf)

PDF (.pdf)

All documents MUST adhere to the professional manuscript formatting standards, which are:

8.5 x 11 page size

Double-spacing throughout

1-inch margins on all sides

Arial, Courier, or Times font

12-point font size

*If your manuscript does not meet these formatting requirements, we will either return the document to you for correction, or we will apply these settings ourselves when possible, and only critique the number of pages you have paid for.*

Three Levels of Professional Service

2^nd Draft offers three levels of professional service to choose from. Remember that you must submit at least 50 pages to take advantage of the second draft service. Learn more about the three levels of service

What is the Process to Submit My Manuscript?

Who are the 2nd Draft Editors?

Frequently Asked Questions

There are no refunds for this service.