Alyssa Jennette, Agent at Stonesong Literary

Gives Encouraging and Actionable Feedback

This writer is at a loss for words. Alyssa is exactly the expert I need to help me get my novel where it needs to be. She gives the kind of feedback I’ve been craving and does it in a way that doesn’t make me want to crawl under my desk and cry. She provides ideas and inspiration in a way that almost makes me think the ideas are mine, which is nice. And she gives enough positive reinforcement to keep me motivated to edit and edit again.

She gave me specific feedback and specific homework, and both of those things are exactly what I was hoping for. I know the book will be better because of her feedback (and feedback from another agent). I definitely got more than I paid for out of this consultation and hope to have more after I’ve completed my homework! 🙂

Thanks to J, J, and V for making this happen! You went above and beyond, and I’m so grateful.

My consultation with Alyssa was so lovely and uplifting and it was exactly the boost I needed to get into the trenches. I’ve been feeling really anxious about querying, but her insight and advice, as well as her support, was the perfect combo. I feel both prepared and motivated to dive in. Thank you for offering this service!

Excited and Energized for Revision

Alyssa was fantastic! She clearly truly read my pages and sincerely thought about them. She asked questions and gave great ideas for revision and sprinkled in plenty of compliments. I left me meet up with her full of renewed energy and excitement for my project.

Reframing Queries for Better Flow

Alyssa was fabulous. Asked questions that helped me understand where I am in my development not so much in novel writing but in query skills. She totally helped reframe the plot description so it flows a little better.

I hope to work with her again in the near future.

Superb experience. Alyssa was knowledgeable, professional and invaluable in sharing guidance with me on publishing, my body of work and strategy for future publication. I hope to work with her again in the near future.

We had a very thorough and insightful chat.

We had a very thorough and insightful chat, not only about tips for the first 10 pages but the rationale behind it. I appreciated her insights suggestions. But for me, the best part was talking about the MS as a whole and how best to start readers on the journey, based on what I am trying to accomplish with the MS. It was a different conversation than what I expected–more discussion about the book and the industry than actual critique, which was exactly what I wanted, needed. Plus, she’s just great. So glad I did it.

I thought the consultation was extremely helpful in how I need to rewrite my query letter. Alyssa also went over some things to help me elevate my first page. Like the type of language I need to use to push it into the realm of Adult diction, instead of the in-between YA and Adult that I have right now. I believe that I’ve benefitted from the whole experience. Would recommend it to anyone that can afford it.

Friendly, approachable, supportive, and supremely knowledgeable

Alyssa was friendly, approachable, supportive, and supremely knowledgeable–my consultation with her was a genuine pleasure, and she gave me some great advice about improving my queries.  10/10 would recommend.

Offers Friendly and Knowledgeable Advice

Alyssa was friendly, approachable, supportive, and supremely knowledgeable–my consultation with her was a genuine pleasure, and she gave me some great advice about improving my queries. 10/10 would recommend.

Thoughtful and honest

My query letter review with Alyssa Jennette was fantatastic. She was laid back and kind and helpful. She listened to my questions and gave thoughtful, honest answers. It was one of those meetings that proves how much you can accomplish in ten minutes with the right person in the room.

Alyssa was fantastic! It was clear she had read through my manuscript carefully and thoughtfully. Her insights pinpointed several of the problem spots I have been wrestling with and then we were able to brainstorm through some possible options for revising. I left feeling like I had the direction I needed to keep moving forward on this project.

Encourages Writers with Honest Feedback

Alyssa is very wonderful, kind, attentive and helpful. She was the first agent I had a meeting with and has always given me feedback that significantly improved my manuscripts. Sheís also very sincere and honest when giving feedback which helps provide realistic expectations of oneself. Itís agents like her that keep us here!
Thank you Alyssa!
PS: Please pass this on to Alyssa so she knows sheís doing a great job.

Guidance and Development Success

Alyssa did a great job. I’ve been bracketing the amount and type of information to provide in my query letter and Alyssa gave me clear actionable guidance on what I need to accomplish. All the Manuscript Academy resources have been instrumental in my development to being a professional writer.

Alyssa gave me firm, helpful feedback that makes me feel more confident going into another round of queries. The advice is perfect to help me moving forward with other projects in the future, as well! Absolutely worth it.

Kind complimentary and provided direction

Alyssa provided a wonderful critique of the first few hundred words of my picture book script. She was kind, complimentary, and provided direction. She has a solid confidence and understanding of the publishing world. Alyssa is also extremely personable and easy to chat with. 

Thank you so much, Alyssa!

Alyssa was great. I enjoyed the conversation and came away with some specific things I could understand and do better and with some added confidence. It was 10 minutes well-spent.

She offered feedback that will make my manuscript better.

I highly recommend a consultation with Alyssa! She asked questions to understand my manuscript and she offered feedback that will make my manuscript better. I also loved that her approach didn’t make the 10 minutes feel rushed.

Thoughtful Feedback on Query Alignment

Alyssa was courteous and positive. She gave me great feedback and lots to think about regarding my query and how it relates to my manuscript. I really enjoyed our conversation.

My query letter review with Alyssa Jennette was fantatastic. She was laid back and kind and helpful. She listened to my questions and gave thoughtful, honest answers. It was one of those meetings that proves how much you can accomplish in ten minutes with the right person in the room.

Helpful and Approachable Consultant

Alyssa was very easy to talk to. Although I was nervous, I had a great time and got questions answered that really helped narrow down which paths to pursue.

I would recommend her for consults for sure.

She totally helped reframe the plot description so it flows.

Alyssa was fabulous.  Asked questions that helped me understand where I am in my development not so much in novel writing but in query skills.  She totally helped reframe the plot description so it flows a little better.

Validates Writers and Provides Direction

Alyssa did more than just present ‘feedback facts’ she validated my existence as a writer. I know that’s a lot to say, but just by being her, present in the moment with me, she not only gave me helpful feedback on my query letter and first ten pages, but she made sure to talk about the things that are working too. I found her train of thought easy to hop on to, and felt she had a lot of information applicable to not only my writing, but the writing/agenting/publishing journey in general. I highly recommend a consultation with Alyssa, especially if you feel like you’ve tried everything else, and just don’t know where you’re going wrong. Much love girl. <3 <3

Invaluable Access to Industry Experts

Having access to pro’s like Alyssa is such a wonderful resource — well worth the money!

Insight-Packed Ten Minutes

My time spent with Alyssa Jennette was priceless. Kind, knowledgeable, and patient, Alyssa took the time to answer every one of my questions. I am confident my writing will be better for it.

I just had a 10 page/15 minute consultation with Alyssa. She is wonderful. She’s straightforward, clear and concise. I sent seven pages of my manuscript and three pages of my synopsis, which was the perfect combination. She went over my synopsis in detail and found the holes I knew were there but couldn’t find on my own. I’m so grateful for her observations and guidance. I know exactly what I need to do now.

I highly recommend Alyssa. I never felt rushed, which was so appreciated. She’s very thorough and you can tell she genuinely wants to help. I got much more than I hoped for!

I have only good things to say about my consultation with Alyssa Jennette. A nice balance between compliments and specific, clearly personalized, constructive suggestions. I felt Alyssa ìgotî my novel more than any other agent Iíve spoken with, so she seems like she mightíve been the ideal agent for me, except, sadly, sheís closed to queries.

Positive feedback

Really good meeting with positive feedback, constructive critque, and ideas for the future.

In a word, Alyssa Jennette is wonderful.
She was thorough and tactful.
Clear and knowledgeable.
In just 15 minutes, she suggested changes that would completely transform my project and lift it to a whole new level!
I was so excited after our meeting, I literally ran to get back to my edits.
I received strong, honest, CONSTRUCTIVE feedback.
I’m so thankful and can’t wait to schedule my next consultation!

Alyssa was enthusiastic and helpful. She gave great feedback on my first ten pages and also provided general publishing/querying advice. I had a wonderful time talking with her!

Expert Manuscript Consultation Benefits

I highly recommend booking a consultation with The Manuscript Academy. It’s incredible how much useful, expert advice can be packed into a short time. I walked away from my conversation with tips that I can use for my current manuscript, and in my stories moving forward.

Had a brief incident where I couldnít access the zoom meeting. Alyssa Jennette gave me a call, assured me it was alright, and that next time I could just email her back. It was my first time doing a critique and I really appreciated the extra time Alyssa didnít even have to give me! She stayed a little bit later, and even sent me notes. Her insight was valuable and is going to help pave my way into the writing world. It was nice to have a chat from one illustrator to another.

Money well spent!

Going into the query trenches is daunting no matter how many times you have edited, and re-edited your materials. While I totally respect the need for form emails when an agent feels your project is not the right fit for them, it does leave you wondering if something is WRONG with your query! Is something not up to par? Is that cuss word in the first chapter turning prospective agents off?! My Skype call with Alyssa was just what I needed. She gave some fantastic suggestions to tighten my query letter and it was great hearing from an agent in my field that the important things were there (she said the voice of the chapter was great 🥰) and that I’m not totally off track.Money well spent!!

Really good meeting with positive feedback, constructive critque, and ideas for the future.

Alyssa helped a lot in unsnarling the knots of my query letter and supporting my first pages. She’s also very friendly, put me at ease, and knowledgeable. Thanks Alyssa.

I will definitely be doing one of these again

Alyssa was awesome to talk with. I knew as soon as I saw her name on the list that I wanted to talk with her. It was so easy to ask her questions and an amazing help to hear a quick answer rather than deliberating for months about a certain aspect of my project. I will most definitely be doing one of these again and will also be re-reaching back out to Alyssa! Thanks for this opportunity! 

Questions answered that really helped narrow down which paths to pursue

Alyssa was very easy to talk to. Although I was nervous, I had a great time and got questions answered that really helped narrow down which paths to pursue. I would recommend her for consults for sure.

Each critique I’ve had with Manuscript Academy has provided new insights.

Each critique I’ve had with Manuscript Academy has provided new insights. Alyssa Jennette asked me numerous thoughtful questions to help me narrow down the main points for my query. She shared what attracts an agent and what is not necessary to mention. I found her critique extremely practical.

Alyssa provided a wonderful critique of the first few hundred words of my picture book script. She was kind, complimentary, and provided direction. She has a solid confidence and understanding of the publishing world. Alyssa is also extremely personable and easy to chat with.

Thank you so much, Alyssa!