Elevate Your Story with Expert Manuscript & Screenplay Critiques
Our in-depth critiques are more than just notes; they’re designed to unlock the hidden potential in your manuscript or screenplay. With actionable insights and personalized feedback, we don’t just identify what’s not working—we give you the tools to elevate your story to its fullest potential.
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“Zena's manuscript critique service was better than I ever expected. She identified real issues, provided guidance about how to fix them, and helped give me confidence about turning my novel into a success. I give The Storyteller's mission the highest possible recommendation.”
Bowen Greenwood
Amazon Best-selling Author of Thrillers & Sci-fi
“Zena is absolutely a MASTER at her craft. Her critique was absolutely a game changer for me and now she's my go-to for every future screenplay critique and class. Don't walk--RUN to the Storyteller's Mission. It'll be the thing that you'll be most grateful for in your screenwriting journey, I promise.”
Susan May Warren
USA Today bestselling, Christy & RITA award-winning novelist
of over ninety novels
“I want to recommend Zena for ANYONE telling stories. Her insights are terrific. I've been writing for producers for over twenty years... There are many pretenders at this game of analyzing screenplay writing and there are some great ones out there - but Zena's a hidden gem among the best.”
Noah Knox Marshal
Producer, Award-winning Screenwriter, and Founding Partner of Imagination Bay
Why Choose The Storyteller's Mission
At The Storyteller's Mission, our critiques go beyond surface-level edits. We partner with you to transform stumbling blocks into stepping stones that turn your good story into an unforgettable one.
Why You Need It:
✅ Perfect Your Final Draft: Ensure your project is submission-ready. Agents, publishers, and producers often pass on projects due to minor flaws. Our critique gives you the confidence to submit a polished, professional story.
✅ Crack the Code of Why Your Story Isn’t Landing: If you’ve been submitting your project without success, it’s time to understand why. We’ll pinpoint the issues preventing your work from gaining traction and help you fix them.
✅ Identify and Solve Story Problems: You know your story can be stronger, but you’re unsure how to make it happen. Our keen insights will pinpoint the issues and provide practical solutions to help you take your project to the next level.
Yes! This is Exactly What I Need!
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“An amazing and hugely helpful critique! I definitely look forward to working with Zena again!”
Mark Marderosian
“Zena did an amazing job. She was very thorough and professional.”
Andrew Messer
“I was amazed at how accurately she assessed the issues, while clearly understanding where I wanted to take my story."
L. Scott
Unlock the Hidden Potential of Your Story
Whether your work is a screenplay ready to hit the big screen or a manuscript on the verge of landing a publishing deal, our comprehensive critique service ensures you’re putting your best foot forward.
What You Get
✅ Comprehensive Evaluation: Your manuscript or screenplay will be thoroughly evaluated for story structure, character development, craftsmanship, and visual storytelling. We don’t just point out problems—we highlight your strengths and help you enhance them.
✅ Detailed Feedback with Margin Notes: Receive your manuscript or screenplay with in-line comments and notes to highlight specific areas for improvement. Each critique is tailored to your story, so you get personalized feedback that makes a real difference.
✅ Personalized Two-Hour Zoom Consultation: Discuss your project directly with Zena. She’ll walk you through her feedback, offering clear, no-nonsense advice on what’s working, what isn’t, and how to fix it. You’ll leave the conversation knowing exactly what steps to take next.
Yes! This is Exactly What I Need!
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Why Invest in a Professional Script Critique?
Your story is an extension of you—your creativity, your passion, your voice. But even the most talented writers need a fresh perspective to unlock their story's full potential. A professional critique can offer insights you simply can’t get on your own.
Here’s why our expert feedback is invaluable for your journey as a writer:
1. Maximize Your Story’s Impact
➡️ Our critique dives deep into your story’s structure, character arcs, pacing, and overall narrative.
➡️ Whether it’s a novel or screenplay, we’ll pinpoint the exact areas where your story can become stronger, tighter, and more compelling.
➡️ You’ll walk away knowing what’s working, what’s not, and how to elevate your writing to grab attention and hold it.
2. Clear the Roadblocks to Success
➡️ If your project isn’t gaining traction, it might not be your idea that’s the problem—it’s often about how the story is being told.
➡️ Our detailed feedback will give you clear, actionable steps to overcome hurdles that are holding you back from impressing agents, publishers, or producers.
➡️ Why keep wondering why your work isn’t landing when you can know exactly what needs to change?
3. Avoid Costly Mistakes
➡️ Submitting a manuscript or screenplay that isn’t ready can cost you precious opportunities.
➡️ First impressions matter—agents, publishers, and producers will quickly pass on a project if it doesn’t immediately show promise.
➡️ Our critique ensures that your submission is polished, professional, and primed for success, giving you the best possible shot at breaking through.
4. Refine Your Voice Without Losing It
➡️ We don’t just focus on what’s wrong with your story. We highlight its strengths and show you how to build on them.
➡️ Our goal is to help you refine your craft without sacrificing your unique voice and vision.
➡️ We’re here to make your story stronger and help you execute it in a way that’s authentically yours.
5. Gain Clarity and Confidence
➡️ The path to publication or production can be overwhelming, especially when you’re second-guessing your work.
➡️ With our critique, you’ll gain clarity on what your story needs and confidence in the next steps to take.
➡️ You’ll stop feeling stuck and start moving forward with purpose, knowing your story is on the right track.
6. Elevate Your Career, Not Just Your Story
➡️ Professional feedback isn’t just about fixing one project—it’s about growing as a writer.
➡️ The insights you gain from our critique will serve you in future projects, too.
➡️ You’ll sharpen your storytelling skills, deepen your understanding of what works, and improve your ability to craft stories that captivate and resonate.
READY TO TRANSFORM YOUR STORY?
This service is for serious writers who want to give their story the professional polish it needs to grab the attention of agents, publishers, and producers.
For Manuscript Critiques:
Cost: $3,599 (up to 80,000 words)
This service is ideal for authors looking for detailed, high-quality feedback before submitting to publishers or agents.
For Screenplay Critiques:
Cost: $1,499 (up to 120 pages)
Perfect for screenwriters who want pro-level feedback to ensure their script stands out in the industry.
This isn’t a one-off service—it’s a strategic investment.
The insights, guidance, and solutions we provide don’t just apply to one project but can improve your craft as a whole. Writers who are serious about building a sustainable career will see this as an invaluable tool.
How Zena Can Help!
Zena Dell Lowe
Zena Dell Lowe has helped hundreds of writers turn story problems into success stories. With years of experience in analyzing and perfecting manuscripts and screenplays, Zena provides keen insights and actionable guidance that help writers achieve breakthrough moments with their stories.
Time and Clarity Are Priceless
You could spend years learning these lessons the hard way, or you could make a one-time investment that will save you from that frustration and get you where you need to go much faster.
“Zena’s feedback is second to none. Her insights turned my manuscript from something I liked into something I loved. Because of her, my manuscript was requested by multiple publishers!”
Laurie Crown
“Zena has an amazing ability to see the deeper layers of a story and offer practical advice to make it stronger. She doesn’t just tell you what’s wrong; she tells you how to fix it.”
L. Scott
“[Zena] provided a thorough and honest assessment of my original screenplay. Her review helped me immensely. She went above and beyond what I expected. I will be forever grateful.”
John Fedele
Speed Up Your Writing Journey
Writers who take advantage of this critique service are better positioned to succeed in the hyper-competitive markets of publishing and film. When agents or producers see your polished, tightly crafted story, they’re more likely to take notice.
Yes! This is Exactly What I Need!
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Top Ten Benefits You Can Expect to Receive
Unmatched Expertise & Proven Results
Zena has worked with hundreds of writers, and her unique approach consistently produces results. She has been instrumental in helping clients land publishing deals, secure agent representation, and improve their chances of production. This service is not speculative; it's based on proven success.
Avoid Costly Mistakes & Wasted Time
The cost of this service is a fraction of what it would cost in time, money, and effort to go through multiple rounds of rejections. Many writers spend years tweaking and resubmitting, never quite knowing what’s holding them back—Zena's critique eliminates that guesswork.
Clarity & Confidence Moving Forward
The insight Zena provides will empower you to take control of your project and confidently move forward, knowing that your story is on the right track. You won’t be spinning your wheels, wondering what’s wrong or what to do next. You’ll get actionable, specific feedback that gives you a clear path forward.
Feedback Tailored to Your Specific Needs
This is not a cookie-cutter critique service. It's a tailored experience designed to help you elevate your story in a way that speaks to its strengths and addresses its specific challenges.
Personalized Service
Unlike generalized feedback or group critiques, Zena's approach is highly personalized. You get two hours of one-on-one, focused attention from an industry expert. She takes the time to understand your story and your goals, making her advice directly applicable to your unique project.
Speed Up Your Writing Journey
Instead of floundering for months or years, you can cut through the confusion and get immediate insights. This critique is a fast track to an industry-ready manuscript or screenplay, and it will cut down your revision time dramatically.
Competitive Edge
The insights and solutions provided will set your work apart from the flood of submissions that most agents, publishers, and producers receive daily. This critique could be the difference between landing on a slush pile or making it to the top of the consideration list.
Lifetime Learning
The critique process with Zena isn’t just about fixing one manuscript or screenplay—it’s an educational experience that will improve your skills overall. You’ll learn how to spot weaknesses in your own work moving forward, making you more self-sufficient and efficient in future projects.
Long-Term Career Investment
Many writers report that their critique session with Zena was a pivotal moment in their career—a turning point that set them on the path to success. This critique could be your career breakthrough.
Transformational Feedback
More than a critique, this is a partnership in transforming your story into something that resonates deeply with readers or viewers. By the end of the process, you will have the confidence and a clear game plan to succeed.
Isn’t it Time You Invested in Yourself?
Time and Clarity Are Priceless
You could spend years learning these lessons the hard way, or you could make a one-time investment that will save you from that frustration and get you where you need to go much faster.
Transformational Feedback
More than a critique, this is a partnership in transforming your story into something that resonates deeply with readers or viewers. By the end of the process, you will have the confidence and a clear game plan to succeed.
Is This Service Really Worth It?
Read what our clients have to say!
Take the Leap. Transform Your Story.
There’s no better way to grow as a writer than to receive honest, constructive feedback from someone who knows the craft inside and out. Book your critique now and take your story from good to great.
Yes! This is Exactly What I Need!
Choose a Service Option to Get Started
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes this critique service different from others?
At The Storyteller’s Mission, you’re not just getting a surface-level critique or a few notes in the margins. Zena Dell Lowe offers in-depth, hands-on feedback that’s rooted in decades of experience, guiding hundreds of writers toward breakthroughs. Our critiques are designed to offer actionable insights, empowering you to truly elevate your manuscript or screenplay. You’ll also benefit from a personalized consultation, ensuring you walk away with a clear understanding of how to improve your work.
Why should I invest in this critique? Can’t I just get feedback from friends or a writing group?
While friends and writing groups can be helpful, their feedback often lacks the professional insight needed to take your story to the next level. Our critiques offer a deep dive into story structure, character development, pacing, and theme—things that require a trained eye to fully dissect. The difference? Professional feedback focuses on getting your manuscript or screenplay ready for submission to industry professionals, ensuring you stand out from the competition.
Will this critique service help me get published or produced?
While no critique can guarantee publication or production, a well-polished manuscript or screenplay drastically increases your chances. Agents, publishers, and producers are inundated with submissions, and yours needs to shine. Our service is designed to ensure your story is as strong as possible before you send it out, helping you avoid common pitfalls that could cost you opportunities.
How detailed is the feedback?
Extremely detailed! While our focus is on big picture stuff, we don’t just skim your story. We dig into everything from narrative arc to character motivation, plot structure, pacing, dialogue, and more. You’ll receive your document back with specific notes in the margins where improvement is needed, and you’ll also get a thorough consultation to walk through our findings step by step. This ensures you understand exactly what to do next.
I’m nervous about getting critical feedback. Will it be too harsh?
Not at all, but it will be uncomfortable. Our goal is to help you improve, not to tear you down. But our goal is also to tell you the truth about your story. Zena approaches each critique with a constructive and supportive mindset, highlighting your strengths while offering honest, practical suggestions for improvement. You’ll leave the process feeling empowered, not discouraged, with a clear path to making your story the best it can be.
What if I’m not happy with the critique?
Our goal is to provide you with feedback that helps you move forward confidently. However, if you feel the critique didn’t meet your expectations, we encourage you to reach out to discuss any concerns. We’re committed to ensuring you walk away feeling that the service was valuable and effective.
How long does it take to receive my critique?
Typically, you’ll receive your manuscript or screenplay within 4-6 weeks of submission, depending on our current workload. After receiving your submission, we’ll schedule your two-hour Zoom consultation to ensure we go over every important detail together.
I’m still drafting my story. Should I wait until it’s finished to submit?
That depends entirely on you and your project. While it’s ideal to submit a completed manuscript or screenplay, we can still provide valuable feedback on unfinished projects if you’re stuck or unsure how to proceed. We’ll offer insights to guide you toward a stronger draft and help you avoid major rewrites later. However, for the best results, we recommend submitting a polished version ready for final feedback.
How do I know if I’m ready for a critique?
If you’ve taken your story as far as you can on your own, or if you’ve hit a wall and need fresh eyes, you’re ready for a critique. Whether you’ve been sending your work out with little response or you’re preparing to submit it for the first time, professional feedback can help you uncover areas for improvement and polish your work before taking that big step.
What’s included in the two-hour consultation?
During the Zoom consultation, Zena will walk you through the entire critique, addressing every note in detail and answering any questions you have. You’ll gain clarity on each suggestion and get personalized advice on how to implement changes. This time is dedicated to making sure you fully understand the feedback and are empowered to make your story the best it can be.
