Help for Writers
Jessica enjoys sharing what she has learned and encouraging new and new-ish authors as they pursue their own writing careers.
Picture Book Manuscript Critique $40
Whether you have critique partners or not, it can still be helpful to have your manuscript professionally critiqued. Jessica will also provide comp titles if you need any ideas. Price includes review after one round of revisions. She will usually provide a response in 3-5 days. Payment via Paypal.
Email Jessica to get started.
Query Letter Critique $30
Jessica loves to review query letters and offer advice for strengthening yours. A Query Letter Critique includes a critique of your intro, pitch, and biographical info. She will also provide comp titles if you need any ideas. Price includes review after one round of revisions. She will usually provide a response in 3-5 days. *If reading your manuscript is required for Jessica to better understand your query letter, this price does not include feedback or critique of the manuscript itself. Payment via Paypal.
Email Jessica to get started.
30-Min. Brain-Picking Chat $30
Do you need help sorting out the differences between submitting to a publisher and querying an agent? Do you maybe just wonder about some things that you haven’t found answers to elsewhere? Set up a 30-min timeslot to meet over Zoom or phone. There you can ask Jessica any questions you have, organized or disorganized. She is happy to talk about her experience in the hopes it can help you. Payable via paypal. *If less than 30 minutes, Jessica will adjust the price.
Email Jessica to get started.
“How to Talk to Booksellers” Webinar $30
Happening April 4, 2026 | 11am EST | via zoom
For authors and illustrators of any format/genre, NOT JUST KIDLIT!
If you're an author or illustrator, do you know it's not up to your publisher to place books in bookstores for you? Booksellers decide what to place on-shelf, but they encounter thousands of books. How can you make sure they know about yours? Jessica will share her own experience communicating with independent US bookstores. What’s covered: Brainstorming targeted stores, strategies for cold-emailing, making a good impression in-person, common mistakes, + more. Take with you: Sample email subject lines, first lines, email body, spreadsheet framework. Duration: Approx. 1 hour + lots of time for questions. To secure your spot, email Jessica with APRIL 4 as the subject. Payment via Paypal only. If you can’t attend live, registrants have access to the recording for 1 week afterwards. If you refer a friend, you and the friend each receive a $5 discount (limit of two referred friends). Referrals must be made by 4/1.
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60-Min. Brain-Picking Chat $60
Do you need help sorting out the differences between submitting to a publisher and querying an agent? Do you maybe just wonder about some things that you haven’t found answers to elsewhere? Set up a 60-min timeslot to meet over Zoom or phone. There you can ask Jessica any questions you have, organized or disorganized. She is happy to talk about her experience in the hopes it can help you. Payable via paypal. *If less than 60 minutes, Jessica will adjust the price.
Email Jessica to get started.