There is a time-honored tradition of writers giving each other advice on their work. After reading an early draft of a novel, F. Scott Fitzgerald told the aspiring writer that he found "about 24 sneers, superiorities, and nose-thumbings-at-nothing that mar the whole narrative." The author, Ernest Hemingway, took the suggestions, and the novel, The Sun Also Rises, launched his career.

It's tough to get published. And no agent or editor grants you more than a first look. So you want your work to be in the best possible shape before sending it out into the world. Gotham has a large network of professional writers, in every field, who can help you strengthen your work and maximize your chances of publication.

All Book Doctoring begins with a consultation with a Gotham staff member, so that we can determine your specific needs and then match them with the appropriate professional on our faculty. You will then receive a quote based on the format and length of your material.

Moving forward, the assigned professional will then read your work and meet wtih you one-on-one—either in-person in New York City, or by phone. You will receive clear and concrete suggestions for improving your manuscript, including a summary letter. This is not a copy-editing service, but a careful analysis of the core of your work. You will also have the opportunity to get all of your questions answered.

Book doctoring is available for books, of course. But we also offer short story doctoring, as well as doctoring on essays, articles, poems, songs, or most any form of creative writing.

There are two versions of doctoring—in-person or phone.

You may choose the in-person version, which includes an in-person meeting with the doctor, if you live in the New York City area. You may choose the phone version, which includes a phone meeting with the doctor, regardless of where you live. Total price for the in-person version is slightly higher than for the phone version because more meeting time is allotted.

The total price is calculated like so:

Rate: $65 per hour. Two-hour minimum.

Short-form work (stories, essays, articles, etc. ) 30 or fewer pages
     1 hour for every 15 pages read (1 page = 275 words) plus
     1/2 hour for summary letter plus
     1 hour in-person meeting or 1/2 hour phone meeting
 
For example, a 14-page story would be: 1 hour read plus 1/2 hour summary letter plus either a 1 hour in-person meeting or a 1/2 hour phone meetings. Total: $163 for in-person; $130 for phone version.

Book-length work (novels, memoirs, etc.) 
     1 hour for every 15 pages read (1 page = 275 words) plus
     1 hour for summary letter plus
     2 hour in-person meeting or 1 hour phone meeting

For example, a 210-page novel would be: 14 hour read plus 1 hour summary letter plus either a 2 hour in-person meeting or a 1 hour phone meeting. Total: $1,105 for in-person; $1,040 for phone version.

In-between short/long
To be determined based on the length of the work.

A quote will be provided prior to the commencement of any work.  Payment is due in advance.

Quick Link: Interested in a private instruction, other than doctoring? See our Private Instruction Programs 

For a free consultation, please fill out the form below or call 212-974-8377 or 877-974-8377 (toll-free outside New York City).