Get detailed feedback from a multi-six-figure USA Today bestselling author.

  • Hook Your Readers: Opening Pages Evaluation to Nail Your First Chapter - Scribe Forge
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Wondering if your opening chapters are any good? Find out for sure.

Hook Your Readers: Opening Pages Evaluation to Nail Your First Chapter

Hook Your Readers: Opening Pages Evaluation to Nail Your First Chapter

Get personalized, detailed feedback from someone who understands your genre instead of generic AI pandering.

£89.00 GBP
£89.00 GBP
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Get a personalized evaluation of your first ten pages from a multi-six-figure, USA Today bestselling author and writing coach who understands genre fiction.

Feedback on your opening pages will help you:

  • Craft a beginning that hooks readers from the first line, so your story becomes as irresistible as a slushie on a hot day
  • Introduce your characters in ways that make them so memorable that readers can't stop thinking about them
  • Pace your opening scenes, so that your readers don’t feel overwhelmed or lose interest
  • Write dialogue that drives the plot while sounding natural to both your world and characters
  • Immerse your readers in your world without boring infodumps 
  • Develop your writing style with feedback about your strengths and the areas you can improve
  • Assess the marketability of your story 

You can also submit up to three questions or concerns that your evaluator will answer.

You'll receive a detailed report about what works, what doesn't, and how to strengthen your opening. You can take this feedback and apply it to the rest of your novel as well.

  • Personalized feedback
  • One week turnaround
  • Professional evaluators

First ten pages evaluation includes:

A minimum two-page report that outlines your strengths, weaknesses, and areas to improve with a focus on:

  • Crafting an irresistible opening
  • Writing memorable characters
  • Pacing your scene so it's not too slow or too fast
  • Writing natural-sounding dialogue
  • Immersing your reader in your world
  • Developing your distinct author voice
  • Assessing the marketability of your premise

Answers to your specific concerns.

In addition to a critique of your first ten pages, including characters, plot, pacing, and style, you can submit up to three questions about your work, and your evaluator will answer them.

Real feedback from a real human.

We’re not going to feed your work into ChatGPT or ProWritingAid and give you generic feedback. 

This is a personalized evaluation of your first ten pages from an established, bestselling author and writing coach who knows your genre. It's personalized to your story, voice, and concerns. 

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Avoid the DNF pile

You can't wait around for readers to get to the “good part.” If your first chapter doesn't hook them, they'll bail.

You know your story is amazing, but you're not sure your opening pages are compelling enough to keep readers enthralled until they get to the “best part.”

This is how you make your opening pages as good as your novel deserves.

Skip the critique groups who don't understand genre

Your critique group's only feedback is that your book would be better without the magic and aliens.

Your friends think it’s good, but maybe they’re just saying that to be nice.

We've been there. That's why we're offering an evaluation of your first ten pages, based on our years of writing and publishing genre fiction.

Are your edits making it better, or just different?

You’ve read and rewritten your opening pages so many times, you can't tell if they're good or not.

This is your sign to turn ‘I don’t know if this works’ into ‘I know what works and how to improve the rest.’

Actionable feedback without sugarcoating or heartbreak

We know what it’s like to worry whether your novel is “any good,” but writing is subjective. We all have our strengths and weaknesses. This manuscript evaluation won’t sugarcoat, but it also won’t tear your heart out through your chest.

You’ll get honest, constructive feedback with a minimum of two pages detailing your strengths, weaknesses, and ways to improve.

Woman sitting in a chair with a laptop and notebook on a white background

Meet your new writing mentor

Candice MacAulay, Bestselling Author, Creative Consultant and Marketing Strategist

Candice is a creative consultant, writer coach, and marketing strategist. She's a multi-six-figure USA Today bestselling novelist and Amazon #1 bestseller with 25+ books published under multiple pen names. She's written in paranormal, urban fantasy and romantasy. In addition, she hosts workshops to get people through creative blocks, finish their work, and find their audience. 

The writers Candice has mentored are now also bestselling authors and have scored literary agents thanks to her help. She is one of the members of the Scribe Forge team, helping to develop workbooks and resources for fantasy and sci-fi writers.

About Scribe Forge

We’re a team of authors and editors who spent decades in writer’s circles, critique groups, and author communities. We've seen writers struggle with the same challenges over and over again.

So, we decided to do something about it, because no one should have to give up on their dreams. 

We pooled the knowledge gained over decades of writing, publishing, and editing to create streamlined, action-based workbooks based on the same systems we used to write and publish over 50 novels.

FAQ

What are the submission guidelines?

Submissions are up to ten pages (give or take a sentence or two). They must be on 8.5x11-size pages with size 12 Times New Roman, double-spaced, and one-inch margins.

On a separate page (that doesn’t count toward the ten-page total), include your genre, a max 300-word description/blurb, the tone you’re aiming for, and your three questions/concerns.

The blurb doesn’t need to be the same you’d put on the back of a book, we’re looking to get an idea of what you’re trying to accomplish with your story, so we can evaluate if you’re reaching your goals.

Is my work safe?

Your opening pages will be held in the highest confidence. No one other than team members Eva and Candice will have access to your work.

When you submit your first ten pages, we will provide you with an NDA to protect your work.

What happens after I purchase the opening pages evaluation?

After purchase, you’ll receive a PDF with detailed instructions on how to submit your first ten pages through an easy Google Form. You must follow the instructions exactly.

After submission, you will receive your evaluation within 5-7 business days. Evaluations will be sent to the email you include on the Google Form.

How long will it take to get my feedback?

Once you submit your opening pages, you’ll receive your feedback by email within 5-7 business days.

Do you offer refunds?

Because the feedback is personalized to you and time-consuming to complete, there are no refunds once we start reading your opening pages.