You don't need more writing advice
You need help applying what you know to your story
You already understand craft fundamentals. You’ve revised. You’re great at giving feedback to other writers. You may have queried before. What you’re missing isn’t effort or knowledge. It’s clear, manuscript-specific guidance that helps you decide what to do next.
You don't need more writing advice
You need help applying what you know to your story
You already understand craft fundamentals. You’ve revised. You’re great at giving feedback to other writers. You may have queried before. What you’re missing isn’t effort or knowledge. It’s clear, manuscript-specific guidance that helps you decide what to do next.
I've helped authors bring more than 200 books into the world
What my Clients Say
The Real Problem
Knowing the rules isn’t the same as knowing what to do.
Most writing and querying advice is abstract:
» Raise the stakes
» Clarify the hook
» Strengthen the character arc
» The query isn’t quite there yet
If you’ve taken classes or workshops, you already know what those things mean.
What’s frustrating is trying to translate that advice into concrete revision decisions for this manuscript.
That’s where I come in.
What I Do
I help authors turn general advice into specific, usable direction.
I work with writers who have a solid grasp of craft but feel stuck because:
✯ They’ve revised multiple times and aren’t sure what’s actually improving the book
✯ Their query materials aren’t landing, and they can’t tell why
✯ They’re getting vague feedback that doesn’t tell them what to change next
My focus is practical editorial guidance—clear explanations, concrete examples, and actionable next steps.
No formulas. No one-size-fits-all solutions.
Manuscript Clarity for Serious Writers
This isn’t about polishing sentences.
It’s about understanding how your manuscript is functioning—and making informed revising decisions instead of guessing.
You don’t need another round of vague feedback. You need to understand why the manuscript isn’t landing—or whether it actually is.
You already know the craft language:
🔸 Tighten the pacing
🔸 Deepen the emotional arc
🔸 Raise the stakes
🔸 Connect with the characters
The problem isn’t knowing those terms. The problem is figuring out what they mean in this book.
A manuscript critique gives you a clear assessment of how your story is functioning as a whole—structurally, emotionally, and strategically.
Not line edits.
Not scattered comments.
Not general encouragement.
A focused evaluation of:
⭐ What’s working and why
⭐ Where momentum drops
⭐ What’s weakening the narrative
⭐ What to prioritize next
So you can stop circling the same revisions.
This is for you if:
You’ve revised more than once.
You understand craft.
You don’t need hand-holding.
You need someone to look at the manuscript objectively and tell you what it’s actually doing on the page.
Don’t just revise harder.
Revise with clarity.
The Real Problem
Knowing the rules isn’t the same as knowing what to do.
Most writing and querying advice is abstract:
» Raise the stakes
» Clarify the hook
» Strengthen the character arc
» The query isn’t quite there yet
If you’ve taken classes or workshops, you already know what those things mean.
What’s frustrating is trying to translate that advice into concrete revision decisions for this manuscript.
That’s where I come in.
What I Do
I help authors turn general advice into specific, usable direction.
I work with writers who have a solid grasp of craft but feel stuck because:
✯ They’ve revised multiple times and aren’t sure what’s actually improving the book
✯ Their query materials aren’t landing, and they can’t tell why
✯ They’re getting vague feedback that doesn’t tell them what to change next
My focus is practical editorial guidance—clear explanations, concrete examples, and actionable next steps.
No formulas. No one-size-fits-all solutions.
Manuscript Critiques for Serious Writers
This isn’t about polishing sentences.
It’s about understanding how your manuscript is functioning—and making informed revising decisions instead of guessing.
You don’t need another round of vague feedback. You need to understand why the manuscript isn’t landing—or whether it actually is.
You already know the craft language:
🔸 Tighten the pacing
🔸 Deepen the emotional arc
🔸 Raise the stakes
🔸 Connect with the characters
The problem isn’t knowing those terms. The problem is figuring out what they mean in this book.
A manuscript critique gives you a clear assessment of how your story is functioning as a whole—structurally, emotionally, and strategically.
Not line edits.
Not scattered comments.
Not general encouragement.
A focused evaluation of:
⭐ What’s working and why
⭐ Where momentum drops
⭐ What’s weakening the narrative
⭐ What to prioritize next
So you can stop circling the same revisions.
This is for you if:
You’ve revised more than once.
You understand craft.
You don’t need hand-holding.
You need someone to look at the manuscript objectively and tell you what it’s actually doing on the page.
Don’t just revise harder.
Revise with clarity.
Services at a Glance
Full Manuscript Critiques
These critiques focus on how the manuscript is functioning as a whole and are best suited for writers who already have a strong foundation in craft.
Story Consulting
Targeted, conversation-based support for writers who need help thinking through story problems, structural decisions, or revision strategy without committing to a full critique.
Reverse Outline Workshop
On demand video. A guided process to map what your draft is actually doing on the page so you can spot structural issues, pacing problems, and opportunities for smarter revision.
I'm Jeni Chappelle
Practical editorial guidance, grounded in 16+ years of experience with hundreds of authors
I specialize in working with committed novelists who want help applying craft principles and publishing expectations to their own work. My goal is to help writers sharpen their instincts, not replace them with rigid rules.
My approach is direct, analytical, and focused on what will actually move the book forward—without overcomplicating the process or adding unnecessary noise.
Don't just get feedback.
Get focused.
You don’t need to overhaul everything.
You need clarity about what this manuscript needs next.
Start with a Manuscript Critique and get concrete guidance you can actually use.
Stop guessing. Start deciding.
Grounded publishing guidance
For a limited time, get my core revision and querying toolkit
• Query template
• Synopsis template
• Flexible beat sheet
• Filler and filter word list
You’ll also get clear, concrete insights on the market, craft, querying, and revision to help committed novelists decide what to do next, based on my work with thousands of manuscripts and writers just like you.
Practical tools. Market-aware insight. Clear next steps.