Picture Book Manuscript Critiques
Desk loaded with notes, books and creative work before winter windows.
Need Feedback?
I love helping people discover what their project “wants to become.” I taught writing and children’s literature for nearly two decades and use that experience to craft feedback that honors your vision and helps you move your work forward. I provide big-picture observations and questions, and line-level comments. I often address the creative process, possible mentor texts, methods for “seeing” a project or its structure and ideas of how to discover your next steps. I offer thorough, thoughtful, honest and encouraging feedback.
Best Fit
I’m a good fit for work that is lyrical, realistic, fantastical, humorous, conceptual, or about marginalized experiences. I can critique creative nonfiction and biographies (especially poetic NF), but my main expertise is fiction and lyrical concept books. I’m especially attuned to emotion, structure and language choices. I am not the best fit for meter and rhyme.
Details
Paid critiques are $250 and include:
- Thorough summary and line comments
- The option of a phone or video conversation
- The option to submit a follow-up revision within a year for general overall impressions (verbal or written)
- The option of a complete written critique of a revision for $100 within a year of receiving feedback.
Critique Packages
- 2 full critiques of different picture book manuscripts for $450 (savings of $50). Manuscripts may be submitted within a year of hire.
- 3 full critiques of different picture book manuscripts for $590 (savings of $160). Manuscripts may be submitted within a year of hire.
*$50 of every critique payment made from May – Sept. 1, 2026 will go directly to rent relief for Minneapolis families affected by ICE/DHS actions in Minnesota.
Interested?
To see if I am available, CONTACT ME HERE. Include a Word document or link to your project(s). I typically turn around critiques in 1-2 weeks. I look forward to seeing your work!
Testimonials
Spot image of scissors, crayons, and scraps of colored paper with a heart cut out. (c) Charlene Chua 2022, Love, Violet, FSG
You would be hard-pressed to find a more thorough, thoughtful, insightful critique.”
Author Sara Holly Ackerman
“Charlotte is an extremely skilled developmental editor. Her comments are deep and thoughtful. My writing has improved so much due to her comprehensive notes. But also, due to her passion and awareness of disability issues. I have so enjoyed working with her and would recommend her anytime to anyone.”
Author Molly Felder
“Charlotte has been my critique partner for years, and her detailed, insightful feedback has become a crucial part of my creative process.”
Author Jacob Sager Weinstein
“I have been in a picture book critique group with Charlotte for several years, and she consistently offers perceptive, thoughtful critiques. Her feedback is encouraging and supportive, and makes me feel empowered to tackle my next revision. She’s also highly knowledgeable about the current picture book market and frequently recommends comp titles, which is also very helpful. I highly recommend working with Charlotte!”
Author Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
“Charlotte’s in-depth, layered feedback looks not only at the language, character, and plot of my picture book manuscripts, but also at the heart of the story, and how to build upon that heart. Her thorough guidance has helped me dig deeper for ways to entwine themes and hooks throughout every aspect of my manuscripts.”
Author, Journalist, Reviewer Margaret Kingsbury
“Charlotte is a master at translating how to create and tell the stories you wish to share. Her style of teaching combines not only the art of writing, but the emotional process as well. In my time working with Charlotte, she has helped me understand the form, formula, and creative ways we can transform our ideas into stories for children and young adults. I especially like how she uses long form questions and inquiry to get to the heart of the matter and fill out the emotion, idea, or lesson your heart is longing to tell. I cannot recommend working with Charlotte enough.”
Sophia Ernst
2025-2026 SCBWI Michelle Begley Mentee
To Get Started…
CONTACT ME HERE. Include a Word document or link to your project(s). I look forward to seeing your work!
Attendee at an SCBWI Southwest Texas workshop, 2019, cutting pictures with colorful art supplies and writing materials on a table.