Chapter Assessment

First Chapter Assessment 

Not 100% happy with your book's opening? Not sure why your first chapter isn't quite working? Get your chapter one assessment by M.H. Salter.

Receive an in-depth analysis on what is working well — and more importantly — on what is not working, with suggestions on how you can remedy and improve your first chapter. 

• The analysis will focus on the first line and first paragraph, as well as the last line and last paragraph and how well these work together to bookend your first chapter. 
• It will look at the different types of hooks you have used and how to add more, as well as the themes in your novel's beginning, and any symbols or motifs used in conjunction with this; if there don't seem to be any, you will receive some suggestions on what could work well throughout the manuscript.
• Conflict and pace will be analysed, both internal and external, and suggestions given on ways in which these can both be heightened. 
• Prologues, or any use of backstory, will be highlighted to see if this could work better at a later point by enhancing tension in the lead-up to future revelations.

After receiving your assessment via email, you can dive even deeper by booking a one hour zoom call to discuss and brainstorm your novel further, or sign up to a one-on-one mentorship with M.H. Salter.

What others had to say about their Chapter One Assessment:

“I think it's a wonderful chance for writers to get that push in the right direction. I loved all of it.”

“Melanie's assessment was warm and conveyed just how fully my first chapter had been read and understood. My novel was at a point where I knew it needed improving but I was out of ideas and inspiration about what to change. I now have, not only ideas, but concrete exercises to help me put those ideas into reality.”

“I liked how the analysis was grouped beneath headings that corresponded to the [Novel Polishing] eBook. This made it much easier for me to see where the assessor was coming from, and pair it to the advice and activities in the [Novel Polishing] Book and Workbook. There was a good level of detail in the appraisal that left no question that my chapter had been thoroughly assessed. It would have been an apprehension of mine to have parted with my money and not received an appraisal that had taken the time to help me figure out exactly what my first chapter is (or should be) doing. So, thank you.”