Script and production services
Expert reviews of screenplays, novels and stories, for writers, producers, and competitions.
I started by giving informal advice to fellow writers. With this input being highly valued, I now offer review and editing services to all. I've learned from some of the best-established script reviewers and editors in the business, and completed Industrial Scripts' script review course.
For screenplays, I fully understand narrative structure, the elements of film storytelling, the practicialities of low-budget production, and market realities.
For prose, I bring experience of writing two novels and dozens of short stories, and an understanding of story, characterisation, placemaking, language and style.
Please get in touch via the Contact Form.
For writers of prose fiction
Prices include VAT
Beta Read
£2.50 per 1,000 words
I will read a draft of your novel or short story, and write a report covering:
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concept and genre
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overall story structure, plotting, pace
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characterisation, conflict, drama
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sense of place and time
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language and style.
I will suggest constructive proposals for possible fixes, within the overall tone and themes of your story.
Normally around 5 pages of notes for a novel.
Appropriate for an early draft.
Copy editing
£4 per 1,000 words
Copy editing is not only about looking at the clarity and transparency of your writing. For fiction, is also about style and mood, whether it is in keeping with the story, and consistent with your individual "voice" as a writer. A copy editor will also check for consistency, like a film's continuity person.
Above all, it looks at how to make a piece as angaging as possible for the reader.
Copy editing does not analyse story, plot and character, so is appropriate for a later draft.
Full Edit
£6.00 per 1,000 words
This covers the same ground as the beta read, in more detail and depth - normally 7 pages or more of notes.
In additon, I will make comments in a Word document, and suggest small alterations by using "track changes" (send me a Word or rtf file).
Appropriate for a later draft.
Proofreading
£2.50 per 1,000 words
I will read your draft carefully, looking for errors of spelling, punctuaton and grammar. I will highlight but not correct any illogicalities (sometimes this occurs after a last-minute shifting of material).
It is normally done as the last step before submitting to a printer.
It may also be done again after receiving printer's proofs (but printers and designers don't like there to be any more than a few corrections, so this should be a second proofread, not a first).
Summary Review
£20
A good summary is essential for getting an agent to look at the full novel. But it is one of the hardest and post painful things a writer has to do. It is so hard to get enough distance from our own stories to be able to summarise the main threads.
I will look at your summary without knowing the novel, and suggest where it is effective and where it literally loses the plot. I will help with thumbnail descriptions of main characters, and sift out the inessential details.
As a free extra I will also comment on a draft covering letter to an agent - something we poor writers only get one shot at!
For sreenwriters and producers
Basic Script Review
£45
Script analysis looking at:
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concept, genre, audience and market
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overall story structure, plotting, pace
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characterisation, conflict, drama
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sense of place and time
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style and formatting
I will suggest constructive proposals for possible fixes, within the overall tone and themes of your story.
Normally 5-6 pages of notes.
Appropriate for an early draft.
Treatment Review
£20
Many writers find the treatment (a 6-10 page telling of the story) harder than the screenplay itself. I'll give feedback on your feature treatment, looking at concept, story structure, characters, plot, genre, production costs, and marketability.
A treatment can be a marketing tool, reading like a short story and conveying the "feel" of the film. A beat-by-beat plot summary can do more harm than good here, so you'll also get feedback on that elusive thing, style.
Alternatively, it may be a tool for the writer, a storyline "beat-sheet", in which case you will get more focus on the narrative and character arcs.
I can also write a treatment from your screenplay - please contact me for details.
Full Script Review
£75
This covers the same ground as the basic review, in more detail and depth.
The review will drill down to the level of individual scenes, with more discussion of rewriting options, aiming at polishing your screenplay.
Formatting & Proofreading
£10 for short (<20 pages)
£30 for feature (<100 pages)
I will check your script to ensure it conforms to industry standards in terms of layout and format.
Also, I will proofread it for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Short Script Review
£1 per page (£10 minimum)
It is very hard to master storytelling within the constraints of the short form, and many short films aren't as satisfying to watch as they could be. Common flaws are great set-ups without a satisfying resolution, cheat twists, missing the dramatic heart, passive heroes, and over-reliance on dialogue.
Writers, producers and directors: I will help get your screenplay to the next level by focusing on your story, looking at the basic ingredients of character, dramatic conflict, escalation and resolution.
Copy editing
£20 for short (<20 pages)
£70 for feature (<100 pages)
As well as checking format and spelling, I will look at whether it is clear and unambiguous, and - more importantly - how to make it engaging for the reader by lifting the writing style to bring out your "voice" as a writer.
Prices include VAT
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Thank you! The review has given me a lot to work with and improve upon.
A. Ward
Thanks for this, most appreciated. I don't think you need to take a course on screenwriting reviewing. I think you could be giving courses!