New content every morning!

Critique

Robert booted up his laptop and immediately navigated to Babies, Orphans and Puppies (BOP), his favorite literary zine, which was managed by his favorite Small Press editor, Charlie Fishead. Robert was addicted to the internet, particularly the daily fiction outlets. He could get his own short stories published online, he just knew it, if only he could get a foot in the door. He needed an edge.

Robert knew that, conservatively, there were more than 100,000 legitimate zines extant. BOP, however, was a real zine. It had its bona fides and had been around for almost 30 years. And Robert loved the fiction he saw there. He longed to appear in the pages alongside his heroes.

‘Aha!’ he cried aloud, spotting something in the pages of the zine, open on his screen before him. It was an ad for a critique service; he read and was instantly convinced.

Get Your Story Critiqued

Our editorial team offers guidance based on what we look for in the stories we subsequently publish. We help you develop your powerful ideas into even more potent plot points. I recommend our Excelsior Critique Package, which includes responses from seasoned writers and editors on plot, character, style and literary atmosphere. ‘If you don’t have the right atmosphere, you can’t breathe.’ (Ha-ha).

You also receive an annotated scorecard evaluating the elements of your literary endeavor. Critiques are typically 2-3 pages long, available within three weeks and are frameable.

Pricing

$110 USD for stories up to 3,500 words
$160 USD for stories up to 6,000 words
$200 USD for stories up to 8,000 words

Payment is made securely via the debit or credit card of your choice when submitting your story.

Add-ons

For writers seeking additional feedback and guidance, we offer the following optional enhancements:

Live editorial call – $100
A 30-minute string and tin can conversation with your editor to discuss your critique and next steps.

In-depth line edits
$200 (up to 3,500 words)
$300 (up to 6,000 words)
$350 (up to 8,000 words)

Literary magazine recommendations – $65
A curated list of five journals where your piece may be a strong fit, all with a close-knit affiliation with Babies, Orphans and Puppies. We’ll work hand in glove to get you published somewhere, sometime, somehow.

Special Offer

Unlimited number of critiques (up to five) per month, for the one low, low monthly price of just $950.

Testimonials

‘Prompt, detailed, always encouraging when critical. Beat me up, but in a good way. Succeeded where group therapy failed. When my credit card was declined, they promptly put a levy on my checking account. You can’t buy more efficiency than that.’

‘You get what you pay for.’

‘Very well worth the money. The beauty of the Excelsior Critique Package is that the first one is free! I don’t know how I ever had the balls to sub a magazine before Fishead took a hand.’

‘It was the score chart that really sold it. We girls all adore being rated by a complacent middleaged male.’

‘I now use this service full-time. The editor I work with regularly calls my home when he hasn’t heard from me lately. I’ve been published three times in since I began the service, seven years ago.’

‘This was a very thorough review. As someone who also regularly writes critiques of short stories, I now realize that before, I didn’t have anything on the ball. I know how to use SpellCheck now!’

‘I haven’t been this high since I gave up the crack pipe. Thank you, Charlie!’

‘I’ve paid a lot more for a lot less, I can tell you. I paid more for my wife of 10 years!’

**Support Babies, Orphans and Puppies on Our Patreon Page!**

We accept used cars, gently-used clothing and furniture. Nothing too small.

About the artist

Bill Tope is a retired caseworker, construction laborer, Hilton Hotel line cook and one-time nude model for university art classes. He lives in the American Midwest with his mean little cat Baby.