First Chapter Assessment
Get your opening pages working harder.
Your first chapter has one job: make the reader turn the page.
Agents read it before anything else. Readers sample it on Amazon. And you return to it again and again, wondering if it's doing enough.
Most first chapters aren't broken. They're just not working as hard as they could. The hook arrives a page too late. The voice warms up slowly. A brilliant line is buried in a paragraph of throat-clearing. These are fixable problems, but they're hard to see when you're this close to your own work.
That's where I come in.
What you get
A detailed professional critique of your first chapter (up to 2,500 words), including:
- Notes on hook, character, pacing, atmosphere, and clarity. What's pulling the reader in, what's holding them back, and why.
- Line-level edits and suggestions. Specific, practical changes on the page, so you can see exactly what I mean rather than guess.
- A short editorial letter with next steps. A clear summary of your chapter's strengths, the priorities for revision, and where to go from here.
Turnaround: 5–7 days.
Who it's for
This is perfect if you want to strengthen your opening before:
- Querying agents. Make sure the pages they read first are your best.
- Self-publishing. Give your "Look Inside" sample the best chance of converting browsers into readers.
- Continuing your draft. Find out what's working now, so you can build on it with confidence instead of second-guessing every chapter that follows.
Who you'll be working with
I'm Ken Preston. I've written more than twenty novels across horror, thriller, YA and romance, published traditionally and independently and translated into several languages. I also work as a developmental editor and book coach, and I've spent years running creative writing workshops in schools, prisons and communities.
I know what it's like to sit with an opening chapter you think is nearly there. I also know how much difference the right feedback makes. My critiques are honest, specific and constructive. I'll tell you what isn't working, but I'll always show you how to fix it, and I'll make sure you know what you're already doing well.
How it works
- Book your assessment using the button below.
- Send me your chapter (up to 2,500 words) as a Word document, along with a short note about your book: genre, intended readership, and anything you'd particularly like me to look at.
- Receive your critique within 5–7 days: your annotated chapter plus your editorial letter.
Questions
My chapter is longer than 2,500 words. Can I still book?
Get in touch and we'll work something out. You can also send the first 2,500 words. That's often where the most important work happens.
What genres do you work with?
Most adult and YA fiction, with particular experience in horror, thriller, crime, fantasy and the gothic.
Do I need a finished manuscript?
No. Many writers find an early assessment is the best way to steer the rest of the draft.
Will you be gentle?
I'll be honest and kind. You'll get clear, usable feedback, not a list of everything that's wrong.