“Sally did all the grunt work of lifting my book onto Kindle Direct Publishing … I cannot speak highly enough of Sally’s work” – Colin Grey
“Your critique was helpful and insightful. I have no qualms in recommending your critique service to others” – Dorinda Cass
“Many thanks for the critique. I agreed with everything you mentioned and I was chuffed!” – Sharon Boothroyd
Critique Service
As writers we often get too close to our work and fail to see it through the fresh eyes of an editor or competition judge. We know our prose intimately and therefore may not realise that the ideas in our head do not fully make sense on paper.
Every piece of writing deserves an objective ‘once over’ before it goes off to market. Objective means ‘not influenced by personal feelings or opinions’. Well-meaning friends and relatives cannot always be classed as objective – they often read through rose-coloured spectacles or can be worried about hurting your feelings. However, a critique service will give you an unbiased opinion of your work.
The First Impressions Critique Service will provide you with a report covering areas such as:
- Title
- Opening
- Dialogue (if appropriate)
- Story/Feature Development
- Particular praise for
- Weakest section
- Ending
Any typos or other small changes will be ‘track-changed’ on your Word document.
The charge for a story or feature article of up to 2,000 words is £15.00. If you have a longer piece of work, please contact me for a price.
eBook Formatting Service
Formatting a manuscript for Kindle can be a daunting and time-consuming prospect for those not comfortable with IT or those with little spare time. I can advise on self-publishing and format your text-only manuscript for publication on Kindle. Please contact me for a price. The price will vary according to the manuscript’s length, its current formatting, whether a table of contents is required etc.
Contact/Payment
Payment can be accepted by BACS transfer (i.e. internet banking), cheque or PayPal. Please note if you choose to pay by PayPal there will be a 50p surcharge to cover the additional costs.
For further details or to request a critique or eBook formatting price, please email: sallysjenkins@btinternet.com.
Sally Jenkins 
#1 by SHARON BOOTHROYD on June 6, 2013 - 11:00 am
The very best of luck with the new crit service Sally. I’m sure it will be a fantastic success!
#2 by Edith on June 11, 2013 - 9:30 am
This sounds like a wonderful resource. Good luck with it!
#3 by Sally Jenkins on June 11, 2013 - 12:02 pm
Many thanks, Edith!
#4 by Julia on June 16, 2013 - 10:08 am
Many thanks for critiquing my twist in the tale womag story, Sally. All very helpful and pertinent advice. All my rewrites will be winging their way to you, hope that’s okay?!
#5 by Sally Jenkins on June 16, 2013 - 10:18 am
I’ll be only too pleased to take a look at them, Julia!
#6 by Vikki Thompson on June 16, 2013 - 7:54 pm
Go you honey! 🙂
Xx
#7 by jackiered on June 28, 2013 - 12:57 pm
Sally just did an amazing job critting a piece for me. It was both exhaustive and informative.
I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone who would like a comprehensive appraisal of their work.
#8 by Sally Jenkins on June 28, 2013 - 7:33 pm
It was a pleasure, Jackie!
#9 by maryworkyourwayMary on February 4, 2014 - 9:31 am
Dear Sally, just thought I’d let you know that your ad is all back up and running again. I hope all is well otherwise. http://club.workyourway.co.uk/ads/first-impressions-writing-service/
kind regards, Mary.
#10 by Sally Jenkins on February 5, 2014 - 10:22 am
Many thanks, Mary.
#11 by hilarycustancegreen on December 18, 2014 - 10:59 pm
Sally, I was just looking back through the emails we exchanged when you did those pieces of critiquing for me late in the preparation of my novel Border Line. The particular advice you gave was crucial and the general advice was very helpful. Most of all, the advice you gave was so promptly delivered, I was able to incorporate it on the run. Thank you.
#12 by Steve Wand on November 5, 2015 - 7:13 pm
Sally, many thanks for a 1st rate critique of my novel extract. Your comments were justified, fair and immensely valuable to me in my strive to become the novelist I have long wanted to be. You accurately highlighted aspects of my work that were in need of attention and which, as I had been so close to work for a long time, was unable to see – until you pointed them out. I will now adopt your recommendations and have no doubt that they will continue to assist me in my writing long after this project has been completed.
Your service is terrific value for money and I wouldn’t have any hesitation in recommending your services to others. Thanks again.
#13 by Sally Jenkins on November 5, 2015 - 8:33 pm
Thanks for your kind words, Steve, and for allowing me to see your work in progress – it was a pleasure.
#14 by Colin Grey on April 24, 2017 - 4:00 pm
Sally did all the grunt work of lifting my book onto Kindle Direct Publishing having checked and amended the manuscript, recommended a name-change for the book and designed a cover all within a very reasonable price. I cannot speak highly enough of Sally’s work and I shall be back later on this year with a second volume.
#15 by Martin Lucas on September 12, 2017 - 1:46 pm
Sally I can’t express how grateful I am for your prompt courteous help in taking control of the mess I’d got into trying to format my manuscript ‘The Dog Made to Talk ‘ for Kindle publication. Its wonderful to see it on sale at last on Amazon.co.uk. Many many thanks.
Martin C J Lucas
#16 by V Westerman on December 2, 2017 - 10:44 am
I have just had Sally format my manuscript and was very pleased with her work. She was of great help and I would recommend her service. 5 stars.
#17 by John Pettitt on June 22, 2018 - 7:08 am
Sincere and most grateful thanks to a lovely professional lady,whose brilliant service was simply essential to a novice Author such as myself. Thank you Sally.