Looking for help with a project? Kate offers coaching and consulting services for authors of picture books, easy readers, chapter books, nonfiction, and middle grade novels.
I can’t think of anyone who is better at making the mysterious world of writing more approachable. Kate Messner is as gifted a teacher and mentor as she is an author, and that’s really saying something. She’s an artist, a listener, and an empath, but she’s also incredibly organized and clear-eyed. With a broad range of titles herself, she’ll engage with every manuscript respectfully, and help you find the best version of whatever it is you’re looking to create.”
~Laurel Snyder, author of Orphan Island, My Jasper June, and the Charlie & Mouse books”
Kate Messner provided valuable feedback on several of my picture book manuscripts, fiction and non-fiction, some of which were eventually acquired by the big 5 publishing companies. I really enjoyed working with Kate and highly recommend her coaching and critiquing services to all levels of writers – beginner to advanced. Besides being a prolific and gifted author, she is a brilliant teacher and coach.
~Mindy Yuksel, author of In My Mosque (HarperCollins 2021) and One Wish (HarperCollins 2022)
In my professional life, I have coined a verb: to Messner. To Messner is to understand and synthesize information quickly and to respond with intelligence, warmth, and clarity. I have been extremely fortunate to have my books Messnered by Kate. My work is infinitely better for her insights and expertise.
~Martha Brockenbrough, author of The Game of Love and Death, Unpresidented, and This Old Dog
Kate is a former National Board Certified teacher and the author of more than forty award-winning children’s books that span a wide range of age groups and genres. A frequent workshop presenter, both in person and online, she loves coaching writers on craft and career issues. If you’d like to work with her, please read the options below and then fill out her contact form below with a note about your project and needs so you can talk about next steps.
Services and Rates
Project Assessment: Kate is committed to offering feedback that’s truly valuable, so before working with you, she’ll read your picture book or the first 1000 words of your longer project to assess whether her services might be worthwhile to you at this point in your writing process. In some cases, there might be more work you can do on your own before investing in a professional critique, and sometimes, Kate might not be the best reader for a particular project. If your project doesn’t seem like a good fit at this time, Kate will offer some suggestions for next steps or recommend another professional whose areas of expertise might be a better fit. Either way, Kate will respond with a quick note about suggested next steps, whether that’s making plans for a paid critique or something else.
Free
Standard picture book critique (up to 1500 words): Kate will provide a detailed critique of your picture book, including an overview letter to discuss big-picture developmental issues and market suggestions as well as manuscript notes that range from general feedback to specific suggested line edits.
$500
Longer picture book/easy reader critique: Kate realizes that some picture books and easy readers may run longer or may include back matter that extends the length of the manuscript beyond the standard length.
$500 plus 10 cents/word for longer works. (up to 3000 words)
First pages critique (up to 1500 words): Kate will critique the first five or so pages of your chapter book, MG or YA novel, or work of MG/YA nonfiction. She’ll provide an overview letter to discuss big-picture developmental issues and market suggestions as well as manuscript notes that range from general feedback on issues such as opening scenes, character development, language, and pacing. She’ll also use the comments feature to provide line edit suggestions and more specific comments. Your pages may include a brief synopsis, included in the word count above.
$500
Chapter book critique: Kate will critique your chapter book, providing an overview letter to discuss big-picture developmental issues and market suggestions as well as manuscript notes that range from general feedback to more specific line edit suggestions.
$1500 for up to 10,000 words, plus 10 cents/word for longer works.
MG NF critique: Kate will critique your work of MG nonfiction, providing an overview letter to discuss big-picture developmental issues and market suggestions as well as manuscript notes that range from general feedback to more specific line edit suggestions.
$1500 for up to 10,000 words, plus 10 cents/word for longer works.
MG novel critique: Kate will critique your MG novel, providing an overview letter to discuss big-picture developmental issues and market suggestions as well as manuscript notes that range from general feedback to more specific line edit suggestions.
$4000 for up to 50,000 words, plus 10 cents/word for longer works.
Follow-up phone call or videoconference: Kate is happy to provide a 30-minute follow-up phone call or videoconference after writers have had a chance to review notes.
$100
Author Visit Consulting: For new authors and others who want to start from scratch with school visit presentations. Kate will work with you to create an engaging and educational school visit presentation that meets the needs of classroom teachers, making the best use of your particular books and your personal strengths. You’ll fill out a short questionnaire about your books, talents, and school-visit goals and send that to Kate, along with copies of any books you’d like to focus on in your presentations. Kate will provide a letter with detailed recommendations for how you might approach your school visit presentation, based on your own content and goals as well as curriculum standards, and she’ll suggest some next steps. When you’re ready, you’ll schedule a videoconference of up to 90 minutes to talk through your plans, try out parts of your presentation online, and receive feedback.
$2000
Author Visit Makeover: For authors who have existing school visit presentations but want to revitalize and/or rework them for virtual visits. After an email discussion of your goals and needs, Kate will make suggestions for how to reimagine your presentations to add value for schools and how to adapt presentations and workshops for virtual visits. When you’re ready, you’ll schedule a videoconference of up to 90 minutes to talk through your plans, try out parts of your presentation online, ask questions, and receive feedback.
$1000
Other Coaching: Need help crafting a query letter, preparing for a conference panel, or getting yourself organized to be more productive? Drop Kate a note to talk about a coaching/consulting package to meet your needs.