Filter Testimonials
Kind, Clever and Brilliant!
Ivan is always a delight to learn from! His easy smile and kind nature make hard criticism meaningful and powerful. Now, I know my work isn’t ready until Ivan puts his “seal of approval” on it. What a privilege it is to have access to his creative brilliance and clever insight through the Manuscript Academy. Ivan is a champion who pushes your work to the limit! I love that.
Best regards, Cheryl Ann Silich
Cheryl Ann Silich
March 23, 2026
Query & 10-Page Chat
WOW! Such a great and helpful experience. Fiona is so approachable, while still bringing her skillset to help me tweak my query and gain the insight needed to edit my first few pages. Plus, we had such fun talking about the MG space and story structure. So much was accomplished in the short visit. I highly recommend Fiona, this process, and the Manuscript Academy for serious writers striving to improve their work. Well worth the price.
Liz Boeger
March 22, 2026
Great sounding board
Nour was really pleasant and quick to develop a rapport. She helped decide an issue in my novel which had divided beta readers. She also gave me some specific advice about my comps. And, she was extremely helpful as a sounding board about an industry-related dilemma of mine, along with an idea to apply to my querying process I hadn’t thought of. I count that as a value-packed 30 minutes! Thanks, Nour!
RK
March 20, 2026
Fantastic “brookside” manner!
It was a joy speaking to Alice Speilburg, who’d read my query and the first ten pages of my novel. Along with great suggestions on how to streamline the letter, and her pinpoint comments on the novel excerpt made me feel like I was in a quality fiction workshop. She referenced specific parts of the exposition and some of the dialogue exchanges, offering terrific insights about how to make everything stronger. Along with her expertise, I really appreciated her kind, warm bookside manner.
Bud Jennings
March 20, 2026
Perfect Match
Sometimes I need more than notes specific to the words I’ve put on paper/monitor. I need an industry insider with true interest and expertise in my genre to discuss the current marketability of my project and options for making my story more marketable in the current landscape – even if that means adjustments to better fit a different genre. With a friendly, supportive attitude, Kaitlyn did just that and didn’t hold back the truth I needed. Of course she gave great notes for my manuscript as well, but provided the real discussion I needed.
Cara
March 17, 2026
Molly Cusick-Manuscript Detective
You know that nagging feeling after your manuscript is finished? You have revised your manuscript, but still, there is something wrong. You have worked on it for so long, but you can’t quite put your finger on it. Maybe your critique buddies don’t see it either. They, too, have seen your manuscript too many times. That’s the situation I was in. So when the opportunity to sign up for a critique came up on The Manuscript Academy, I took it.
I am so pleased I chose Molly Cusick.
Like a detective, she found the holes in my manuscript. She noted my blind spots, inconsistencies, and gaps in my interior voice. Her observations, comments, and suggestions were spot on. My reaction was “that’s it” and, embarrassingly, “how come I didn’t see that.”
Thank you, Molly!
Ellen Kazimer
March 16, 2026
Affordable and effective with the right amount of bun on the meat
The agent, Stephanie Winter, did an amazing job. She pointing out issues in my novel that I hadn’t been aware of such as needing a more distinct voice for the protagonist, and she suggested ways to improve my writing that resonated with me.
Johanna Somers
March 16, 2026
Invaluable, thoughtful feedback
I have spent a long time wrangling the narrative nonfiction story I am writing, and I have listened to podcasts and YouTube videos on query letters, and read the books. I even found back copy of a title with similar dynamics to reflect on. I have the fundamentals. What I lacked was an agent’s perspective. Now I understand the opportunities to cut and tighten and to strengthen. This is an absolutely worthwhile investment. All the stars.
Crystal L.
March 5, 2026
Much needed and excellent advice
Ismita gave me exactly what I needed. I had asked for a change from an evaluation of the query and some first pages to an evaluation of the query and a synopsis of my novel. She graciously agreed to this. I was pretty sure my query was minimally good. I very much appreciate her confirming this in a direct and easy to accept manner. She then helped me to see that a key part of the query was really a synopsis instead of a clear description of the story’s essence. This has enabled me to revise accordingly. Ismita also convinced me that I needed to reduce the number of words in the novel and to make the synopsis slightly briefer. All of this was advice critical to my chances of landing an agent. Ismita is an outstanding teacher!
Stephen Davenport
February 24, 2026
Excellent
Mr. Smith provided me with written comments ahead of time. This was excellent because it gave me a chance to review his thoughts and address him with better questions. His thoughts were insightful. His suggestions are very helpful. I really appreciate his time. Thank you Eric Smith.
Steve Blander
February 24, 2026
Just what I needed
I’m so glad I chose a phone consultation with Eric Smith. He throughly reviewed my query package and offered me amazing feedback—both confirmation that I was on the right track and helpful tips to make sure my cover letter will grab agents’ attention and do its job. I feel much more confident going forward in the query process and definitely recommend a call with Eric to all other query-ready writers.
Kate M.
February 24, 2026
Helpful, efficient, pleasant agent
Dani’s advice on my query was right on and got me off a (hoped for) clever track and onto an effective one. She gave helpful specifics on elements to include/lose, she used the short time wisely, and she was nice in both her criticism and praise (liked the writing, yeah!)
Richard
February 21, 2026