Find out how your story is landing before you start polishing it.
Sometimes you don't need an editor yet.
You need someone to read the damn book.
An alpha read gives you thoughtful, honest feedback from a story-focused reader while your manuscript is still taking shape. I'll tell you where I was hooked, where my attention wandered, which characters I loved—or wanted to shake—and where something confused me, surprised me, or didn't land the way I think you intended.
This isn't an edit. It's a reader's-eye view of your manuscript before you move into deeper revisions.
Founding Client Pricing
Starting at $150 for manuscripts up to 100,000 words
Alpha reading typically happens before professional editing, when you have a complete—or substantially complete—manuscript but still have room to make meaningful changes.
Think of me as your highly attentive first reader.
I'm not approaching every chapter asking:
How would I fix this?
I'm approaching it asking:
What am I experiencing as I read this?
Am I invested?
Do I believe these characters?
Did I understand why she made that decision?
Have I been waiting eighty pages for these two idiots to kiss?
Did that reveal blow my mind—or did I see it coming six chapters ago?
Did I forget this subplot existed?
Am I desperate to turn the page?
Those reactions can tell you a tremendous amount about what your manuscript needs next.
What I'll Pay Attention To
Every manuscript is different, and you're welcome to tell me about specific concerns you'd like me to watch for.
My feedback may include:
Characters & Relationships
Who I'm connecting with, whether motivations and relationships feel believable, where chemistry is working, and where character behavior leaves me confused.
Pacing & Engagement
Where I'm flying through pages, where my attention starts wandering, where scenes feel rushed, and where the story seems to stall.
Plot & Story Logic
Questions, apparent inconsistencies, plot developments that aren't quite connecting, and moments where I'm struggling to understand why something happened.
Emotional Impact
The scenes that make me laugh, hurt, swoon, rage, or stare accusingly at my Kindle—and the scenes that seem designed to do one of those things but aren't quite getting me there.
Reader Expectations & Payoff
What the story seems to be promising me and whether those promises are being fulfilled.
Confusion & Clarity
Places where I have questions the story probably doesn't intend me to have.
The Good Shit
Yes, really.
Knowing what works matters too. I'll tell you about the characters I adore, lines that hit, scenes I don't want you to touch, reveals that land beautifully, and moments that make me want to keep reading.
What You'll Receive
Reader Comments
I'll leave comments throughout the manuscript capturing relevant reactions, questions, confusion, predictions, and moments that particularly work—or don't—for me as I read.
These are reader reactions rather than editorial corrections.
Alpha Reader Report
After finishing the manuscript, I'll provide a written report bringing those reactions together and covering the major strengths, concerns, patterns, and questions I noticed.
I'll also address any specific concerns you identified when submitting your manuscript.
The goal is for you to finish reading my feedback with a clearer understanding of how someone outside your own head is actually experiencing your story.
Alpha Reading
Reader-focused
Overall reactions & impressions
Identifies where something isn't landing
Comments capture the reading experience
Summary reader report
Best earlier in revision
Starts at $150
Developmental Editing
Editor-focused
Detailed manuscript analysis
Identifies problems and explores potential solutions
Comments focus heavily on revision
Comprehensive editorial letter
Best when ready for substantial structured revision
$0.01/word
Not sure which one you need?
If you mostly want to know “Does this story work for a reader?”, start with an alpha read.
If you're asking “What's keeping this manuscript from working as well as it could, and how can I strengthen it?”, developmental editing is probably the better fit.
Up to 100,000 words $150
100,001 - 150,000 words $185
125,001 - 150,000 words $225
150,001 - 175,000 words $275
175,001 - 200,000 words $325
Over 200,000 words Custom Quote
Alpha reads under $200 are paid in full at booking. Projects of $200 or more require a 50% deposit to reserve your project date, with the remaining balance due before delivery.
An alpha read is not an editing service and does not include comprehensive:
Developmental editing
Line or copyediting
Proofreading
Grammar or punctuation correction
Fact-checking
Rewriting
Formatting
Sensitivity or authenticity reading
If I notice a glaring continuity issue or typo, am I physically capable of pretending it isn't there?
Probably not.
But catching those things isn't the purpose of the service and shouldn't replace an appropriate editorial or proofreading pass later.
Is Alpha Reading Right for My Manuscript?
Alpha reading may be a great fit if:
You've finished a draft and have absolutely no idea whether it's good anymore.
You've revised on your own and need fresh eyes.
You want feedback before investing in developmental editing.
You want to know how characters and relationships are landing with a reader.
You're worried about pacing or engagement.
You have specific story questions you want a reader to watch for.
You need someone who isn't your spouse, best friend, or mother to read the book and tell you what they actually think.
You want feedback that identifies concerns without turning your manuscript into someone else's book.
Also, you can submit specific questions.
Things like:
Does Griffin come across as jealous here?
Did you figure out the killer too early?
Does Chapter Twelve drag?
Do you believe she's actually in love with him?
Is the magic system understandable?
Does the third-act breakup feel earned or manufactured?
I specialize in romance, romantasy, fantasy, and character-driven fiction, including multiple POVs, unconventional relationship structures, found family, high-heat romance, complicated fictional worlds, and stories that don't always fit neatly into one box.
I am comfortable reading explicit sexual content, BDSM/kink, polyamorous and why-choose relationships, dark or difficult subject matter, violence, profanity, and morally complicated characters.
Other genres are welcome on a case-by-case basis.
You've been living inside this story for months—maybe years.
At some point, you need someone who doesn't already know what you meant to write to tell you what's actually on the page.
Tell me about your manuscript, where you are in the process, and anything you're particularly worried about. I'll review your project and follow up with availability and next steps.