This isn't going to be cheap. When I am working on your stuff, I'm not working on my stuff, and time is a writer's most important raw material. However, if you've painted yourself into a corner, Q&A through the Email or The Writing Help Q&A Archive don't seem to cut it, then this is the last resort.

Critiquing: I can read over your piece and give you a general opinion, specific suggestions, and address concerns of yours as well as make recommendations concerning them. This process involves both reading and writing. Do a word count on your piece, find out how many thousands of words are contained therein, multiply each thousand by $50.00. (If you have a 10k word MS, that's 10 x $50 = $500.00). Send the story, cover letter describing your concerns, SASE, and a check made out to Barry B. Longyear to: PO Box 100, New Sharon, Maine 04955. Include your phone number in case I need to get more information from you.

Troubleshooting & Repair: There are so many variables here, a word count quote would be too high in some cases and too low in others. Email me describing fully what your problem(s) is(are), the length of the work, along with your telephone number and when you might be expected to be near your phone. If it turns out that all you have is a Writing Help Q&A, it will be answered at no charge. If I need to get in there, dig out the guts and do some plumbing, you can figure on at least $50.00 per hour of my time.

No, I don't expect a lot of business doing this. What I expect is for you to complete the course, do the homework, practice, and become a skilled writer so you can fix your own stories. This service is  a last gasp for those who feel they need it.

Publishers: Your new star is all first draft and no rewrite skills? Have a fixer upper that needs work? Call me.