Several questions here. Who are professional readers? Where do you find them? What is there function, do they give advice on your M.S.? And do they charge for their services?
Several questions here. Who are professional readers? Where do you find them? What is there function, do they give advice on your M.S.? And do they charge for their services?
I have had my book 'is it about that boy' read twice now by the same pro reader. The first time I had to pay for it, at a cost of £410. Expensive I thought, but the resultant 10 page report by my reader was worth every penny.
She praised me for the honesty of my writing, then gave me ideas on how to improve it. I took heed of her comments and re-wrote parts, cut out parts and left some parts alone.
I then entered a competition to win a free read by the same consultancy agency. I got chosen and roughly just over a year after the first read, the same reader read my improvements. Again another 10 page report. It was this reader who suggested I go back to my original book title.
Another not as large as last time re-write is now being done. I expect to finish all my re-edits by the end of September.
I think that without the help of my reader I would still be go round and round in circles.
If you can afford it I would recommend it.
I used The Literary Consultancy. They offer bursaries to specific people to help with the costs. Check their website to see if you qualify.
Literary consultancies offer professional editing of your manuscript - for a fee. And I believe this site offers similar services, including a read through of your first three chapters and half an hour face time with an agent. It's not cheap, but will give a more in depth and objective analysis of your book than a friend or family member. I've got my book out with someone now - will let you know more when it comes back!