JENNI L. WALSH
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Editing & Consulting
Do you have a completed manuscript ready for a fresh perspective—or a deep scrub? I can help.

>> NOW CONSIDERING MANUSCRIPTS FOR MARCH 2026 <<

I’ve been a critique partner to numerous #1 New York Times bestsellers, USA Today bestsellers, and award-winning authors. I’m also a bestselling, award-winning author myself, with more than sixteen books published, and an adjunct professor in the Drexel MFA program, where I critique student manuscripts.

But more than anything, I understand the emotional side of this process. Being an author myself, I know how vulnerable it can feel to hand over your work—like placing your still-beating heart in someone else’s hands. My approach is rooted in constructive feedback: I’ll be honest about what’s not working, but I’ll also highlight what is working.

Manuscripts in my wheelhouse

I critique middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction.

My own writing—and/or most of the work I critique—falls within:
  • Historical fiction
  • Mystery / thriller / suspense
  • Fantasy
  • Rom-coms
  • Book club fiction

I’m not the best fit for picture books, nonfiction, or memoir.

How we’ll work together

My approach may be different from what you’re used to—it’s the system my critique partner and I use, and it’s one I truly believe in. That said, it’s not for everyone. Read on, and if this structure aligns with your goals, let’s talk.

With a fully-complete manuscript, we’ll work chapter by chapter, starting with chapter one. I’ll provide margin comments and an editorial note on a single chapter before returning it to you. While I won’t be performing a copyedit or line edit, you’ll likely receive sentence-level suggestions as well. You’ll revise that chapter, incorporating feedback into both previous and upcoming chapters. Then we’ll move on to the next chapter—and so on.

By the end of the process, you’ll have a fully-edited manuscript, ready for the next step, whether that’s querying or submission. What I love about this approach is that each time I read your work, I’m seeing your cleanest, most developed pages. This allows us to catch and course-correct potential plot issues early, rather than at the end.

Timeline & pacing

Our exchange typically happens Monday through Friday.
  • Monday: you send me a chapter; I send it back
  • Tuesday: you send the next chapter; I send it back
  • And so on

That said, I’m not a drill sergeant. We can absolutely adjust for holidays, travel, sick days—even birthdays.

To give you a general sense of timing:
  • A ~30-chapter novel takes about 6 weeks
  • A ~50-chapter novel takes about 10 weeks

Once we’re finished, I’m also happy to take a look at your query or pitch so you’re fully prepared for whatever comes next.

What this investment will cost

  • Middle Grade: $1,600
  • Young Adult & Adult: $2,600​​
​I firmly believe that behind every great author is another great author. I’d be honored to be that for you. ​


Interested in learning more about working together? 

Please review the terms & conditions and complete the form below.

Note: All projects are invoiced through PayPal. 
You do not need a PayPal account in order to pay with a credit card. 

     




    ​Please note: Jenni connects best with chapters that less than ~1500 for middle grade. And no more than ~3000 for young adult and adult. If your chapters are longer, she may not be the best fit for your work.




    Please upload the first chapter of your manuscript below:
    Max file size: 20MB

    By clicking submit, I understand that there is no obligation for either party to work together. Jenni will be in contact to discuss potential next steps. Your work will be kept confidential and will not be shared. Terms and conditions can be reviewed here.
Submit

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  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Adult >
      • Death Was Not on the Guest List
      • Sonora
      • Ace, Marvel, Spy: A Novel of Alice Marble
      • Unsinkable
      • The Call of the Wrens
      • A Betting Woman: A Novel of Madame Moustache
      • Side by Side: A Novel of Bonnie and Clyde
      • Becoming Bonnie: A Novel
    • Middle Grade >
      • Outlook Unclear
      • The Bug Bandits
      • Operation: Happy
      • Over and Out
      • By the Light of Fireflies: A Novel of War Hero Sybil Ludington
      • I Am Defiance: A Novel of World War II
      • Hettie and the London Blitz: A World War II Survival Story
      • She Dared books
  • News
  • School Visits
  • Editing & Consulting
  • Contact