Opening Section Review
Improve your work-in-progress with expert editorial feedback
One of the biggest challenges writers face is knowing whether their writing is working or not. The best way to remedy this is with impartial feedback from someone who knows what they’re talking about. Our opening section review offers expert feedback on the opening 20,000 words of your manuscript. It is ideal for first-time writers needing guidance, as well as experienced writers who want a sense-check on their works-in-progress.
Jericho Writers was founded by writers, for writers. Four of us are published by the Big 5, while others are deep in the writing process. We carefully select the editors and agents we work with — we choose the kind of people we’d want to guide us in our own writing. It’s this approach that has helped authors move forward with confidence, launch their careers, sign with literary agents and become Sunday Times bestsellers.
What can you expect from a opening section review?
An opening section review gives you expert feedback on the first 20,000 words of your manuscript. Your editor will provide a detailed 2,000-word report focusing on structure, pace, dialogue, voice and style, characterisation, and commercial potential. They’ll highlight what’s working in your writing and help you address areas that may need improvement.
This service is perfect for authors who want professional advice on their opening chapters to ensure they’re on the right track. It can also be used to assess the commercial viability of your book idea.
If you’re seeking advice on more than 20,000 words, you’ll need a manuscript assessment. If you’d benefit from feedback on your early chapters and would also like advice on how you’re pitching your book to agents, then an agent submission pack review would be the most suitable service for you.
Your opening section review will include
Download a sample report to see what your opening section review will look like.
Actionable feedback on 20,000 words
Advice on commercial potential
Discussion with your editor
Get personalised support from a professional book editor
We’ve worked hard over 20 years to hand-pick our team of expert editors . Once you buy an Opening Section Review, our Writer Support Team will match you with the editor that best fits your work. Our book editors specialise in trade fiction and non-fiction texts. They include traditionally published authors as well as publishing professionals such as literary agents and Big 5 publishers.
Kesia Lupo
Literary Agent with Donald Maas Literary Agency
- Bio
- Books
- Genres
Kesia Lupo is a literary agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency representing children’s fiction, adult fiction and select adult non-fiction. Her 11 years experience in publishing makes her a valuable editor who will expertly advise you on your submission pack to elevate your materials and help you improve your chances with agents.
She has worked with both UK and US based authors, and so is uniquely positioned to answer any questions you may have on the market in either location.
- Contemporary
- Crime/Thriller/Action
- Fantasy
- Historical
- Literary (including Bookclub)
- Paranormal
- Science Fiction
- Romance/erotica
- Women’s
- Young Adult
Deirdre Power
Literary agent with David Higham Associates
- Bio
- Genres
Deirdre began her publishing career in a literary agency, working with children’s authors and estates. Since then, she has gone on to work in children’s editorial at major publishing houses, working across everything from picture books to YA.
Deirdre brings a keen editorial eye and in-depth knowledge of the market, and spends more time reading children’s fiction than anything else. Having worked in both literary agencies and publishers, she has a strong understanding of how the process works from both sides, and what both agents and editors are hungry to read.
- Children’s
- Middle Grade
- Other narrative non-fiction
- Picture Books
- Young Adult
Rebecca Roy
Former commissioning editor at Little Brown
- Bio
- Books
- Genres
Rebecca has over ten years’ experience in the publishing industry, commissioning commercial fiction for the UK’s leading publishing houses, including Little Brown, Simon & Schuster and Bonnier Books.
Rebecca’s editorial experience is vast, and she has edited fiction across all commercial genres, but her particular editorial specialties are romance, historical, crime and thriller.
You can find some of Rebecca’s clients on the ‘books’ tab.
- Contemporary
- Crime/Thriller
- Historical
- Literary (including Bookclub)
- Romance/Erotica
- Women’s
Richard Roper
Former commissioning editor at Headline
- Bio
- Genres
Richard is an author and experienced editor, having worked as a senior commissioning editor for non-fiction at Headline (part of Hachette UK), where he published several Sunday Times bestsellers.
Richard gives the perspective of a publisher, an author, and an editor. His knowledge of the publishing business make his insight on marketability and commercial appeal invaluable. Richard is thorough, upbeat, and incisive in his reports. Whether you’re writing nonfiction or commercial fiction, you’ll be in safe hands with him.
- Comic/satire
- Contemporary
- Memoir/autobiography
- Other narrative non-fiction
- Short stories and novellas
- Subject-led non-fiction
- Women’s
Holly Seddon
Internationally bestelling author
- Bio
- Books
- Genres
Holly is an international bestselling author with six published novels to date. She is also a mentor and tutor on our Ultimate Novel Writing Course.
Holly is endlessly supportive and encouraging of every writer we send her way. We love her concise and on-point editorial style.
- Contemporary
- Crime/Thriller/Action
- Literary (including Bookclub)
- Plays and screen scripts
- Short stories and novellas
- Women’s
Why choose Jericho Writers
There are lots of companies promising you the dream of getting your book published. We value ourselves on only ever selling you a service that we think will benefit you. Not sure if this one is right for you? Give us a call, we’d love to hear from you.
Don’t take just our word for it…
We’ve been helping writers achieve their goals for over 20 years. Here’s what some of them had to say about our editorial services:
Could you be our next success story?
Over the last 20 years, many of our clients have gone on to win prizes, become bestsellers, get film and TV deals, achieve huge global sales, and more. To name a few, John David Mann went onto become a New York Times Bestselling author; Paul Braddon’s The Actuality has been optioned for a TV series; Eleanor Anstruther won the Desmond Elliott prize; and Nussaibah Younis has been shortlisted for The Women’s Prize awards. Now it’s your turn.
Need more info before you decide?
Choosing the right service for your work is hard. But we’re on hand to help! Book a call with our Writer Support team at a time to suit you to talk through the options.
Frequently asked
questions
Who will be giving the feedback?
An editor who best suits your editorial content. We match manuscripts based on 15 years of experience working with our editors. We consider editor experience, their genres of interest, and whether they themselves feel they are the right fit for your work. As all our editors are freelance, this depends on availability.
Can I contact the editor directly?
No, but their in-depth report will contain actionable advice for you to progress with your manuscript.
How long does it take?
The turnaround is usually three to four weeks.
What genres do you accept?
All trade fiction and non-fiction. We are not suited to edit academic texts.
Do I need to be based in the UK for this service?
Not at all, our editorial services are delivered online and are suitable for writers from all around the world.
Can you help me find an agent?
Yes, you can log onto Jericho Writers’ AgentMatch, our database of over 1,000 UK and US literary agents.
Not the right service for you?
Whether you’re looking for detailed structural edits, line-editing, or your just getting started and need some feedback on your opening chapters. We have you covered.
