Who am I trying to help?
When I broke into writing for young readers, it was hard. I didn't know about the SCBWI, I didn't know how to shift what I learned in college studying journalism into text for kids. I swore if I ever found the door, I'd reach out to help others find it too. So if you're hoping to infuse your work with a little extra experience, I have 30 years to offer. I will be honest, but kind in my review of your manuscript. Breaking your heart will never help. Offering helpful ways to improve is a much better philosophy for me...and for you, I hope.
Client Comments:
July 1, 2019
I went over your critique with the illustrator yesterday, and we were both equally excited about how the story improved with your advice! Using my new knowledge, I’m excitedly working on completing my next manuscript...thank you so much! Not only did you do an excellent job on my manuscript critique, you also taught me how to be a better writer! I really can’t say enough about your talent. 😊
Thank you,
Debra Novotny
June 30, 2019
This woman is amazing. I just got my manuscript back and I LOVE the editing she’s done. She's insightful, imaginative, positive and really knows her stuff. Every concern I had was addressed and given direct helpful feed back for. She will be my go to for critiquing in the future. Thank you SO much Kelly. (My book is a 600 word PB)
Megan Willms
June 27, 2019
OH MY GOSH! Wow! What a difference! This is wonderful! Wow! It’s crazy but I love you!!!! I want to give you a hug! I’m not sure if you believe in God but lord knows I’ve been searching high and low for someone like you!!
I’m willing to learn but to find a teacher willingness to teach! Thank you!
Doris Imahiyerobo
June 26, 2019
Dear Kelly,
I cannot tell you what a delight and relief it was to hear your kind words about Circles in the Sand. You have given me courage to try for representation and I found your critique extremely helpful. It was thorough and thoughtful and I have amended my manuscript more than 90% with relation to your suggestions. I really can’t thank you enough.
I feel very luck that I happened upon your message last week. It really was very generous of you to offer your time to help others. If you ever have the time to do it again do let me know as I’d love to send you more scripts in the future.
Very best wishes and many thanks again,
Pippa McAlpine
June 25, 2019
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your thoughts on THERE'S A HASSLE IN MY CASTLE. It has brought clarity on several levels. This is great! Would you be open to critiquing another manuscript for me? This one is written in prose.
Wishes for a wonderful day!
Lori Mozdzierz
June 17, 2019
You are an absolute gem! It all makes sense to me. I'll send this off now. She's boiling over with ideas so it a good time for her to concentrate on this. She's currently in Florida, but was so grateful when I told her that I'd approached you.
Cheers!
Francis
Frances Plumpton Literary Agency
New Zealand
June 17, 2019
I am a published author today because of Kelly Milner Halls. Not only is she a master at critiquing fiction and nonfiction, she is kind, caring, and genuine. And she will be your biggest cheerleader. I highly recommend Kelly for your book needs!
Nancy Roe Pimm
http://nancyroepimm.com/
Why me?
After 30 years in the business of writing for young readers, I have seen more than 1,000 articles and 50 books published by houses including HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lerner, Sterling, National Geographic, Rourke, Running Press and more. My resume includes nonfiction and fiction.
A few of my honors and awards:
Cybil Award 2019, Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers
Junior Library Guild 2019, Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers
Washington State Book Award nominee 2014, Ghostly Evidence
TxLA Spirit of Texas Award 2014, Alien Investigation
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2012, In Search of Sasquatch
NYPL Children’s Book List 2011, In Search of Sasquatch
Parents Choice Silver Award, 2010,– Saving the Baghad Zoo
Junior Library Guild Premier Selection, 2009, Wild Horses
New Jersey Garden State Children’s Book Award List 2009, Tales of the Cryptids
Highlights for Children -- Best Arts Feature of 2008 (Jack Prelutsky profile)
Texas Lone Star Reading List 2008-2009, Tales of the Cryptids
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Tales of the Cryptids
Junior Library Guild 2008, Mysteries of the Mummy Kids
Junior Library Guild 2007, Tales of the Cryptids
IRA Top Five Children's Choice, 2006, Wild Dogs
Benjamin Franklin Award, 2006, Wild Dogs
Izaak Walton League of America Conservation Book of the Year, 2005, Wild Dogs
Orbis Pictus Recommended 2006, Wild Dogs
Junior Library Guild 2005, Wild Dogs
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Albino Animals
Benjamin Franklin Award, 2005, Albino Animals
Orbis Pictus Recommended, 2005, Albino Animals
Junior Library Guild 2004, Albino Animals
VOYA Honor 2004, Dinosaur Mummies
Booklist Top Ten Science Books 2003, Dinosaur Mummies
Junior Library Guild 2003, Dinosaur Mummies
Highlights for Children Best Science Feature 1995
Highlights Best Nonfiction Feature 1996
Book Report/Kids Reads Executive Editor
Contributing Editor, Archaeology's Dig
Contributing Editor, Dinosaurus Magazing
Contributing Editor, Dino Times
US Kids: A Weekly Reader Magazine, seventeen cover stories between 1996 and 1998
When I broke into writing for young readers, it was hard. I didn't know about the SCBWI, I didn't know how to shift what I learned in college studying journalism into text for kids. I swore if I ever found the door, I'd reach out to help others find it too. So if you're hoping to infuse your work with a little extra experience, I have 30 years to offer. I will be honest, but kind in my review of your manuscript. Breaking your heart will never help. Offering helpful ways to improve is a much better philosophy for me...and for you, I hope.
Client Comments:
July 1, 2019
I went over your critique with the illustrator yesterday, and we were both equally excited about how the story improved with your advice! Using my new knowledge, I’m excitedly working on completing my next manuscript...thank you so much! Not only did you do an excellent job on my manuscript critique, you also taught me how to be a better writer! I really can’t say enough about your talent. 😊
Thank you,
Debra Novotny
June 30, 2019
This woman is amazing. I just got my manuscript back and I LOVE the editing she’s done. She's insightful, imaginative, positive and really knows her stuff. Every concern I had was addressed and given direct helpful feed back for. She will be my go to for critiquing in the future. Thank you SO much Kelly. (My book is a 600 word PB)
Megan Willms
June 27, 2019
OH MY GOSH! Wow! What a difference! This is wonderful! Wow! It’s crazy but I love you!!!! I want to give you a hug! I’m not sure if you believe in God but lord knows I’ve been searching high and low for someone like you!!
I’m willing to learn but to find a teacher willingness to teach! Thank you!
Doris Imahiyerobo
June 26, 2019
Dear Kelly,
I cannot tell you what a delight and relief it was to hear your kind words about Circles in the Sand. You have given me courage to try for representation and I found your critique extremely helpful. It was thorough and thoughtful and I have amended my manuscript more than 90% with relation to your suggestions. I really can’t thank you enough.
I feel very luck that I happened upon your message last week. It really was very generous of you to offer your time to help others. If you ever have the time to do it again do let me know as I’d love to send you more scripts in the future.
Very best wishes and many thanks again,
Pippa McAlpine
June 25, 2019
Hi Kelly,
Thank you for your thoughts on THERE'S A HASSLE IN MY CASTLE. It has brought clarity on several levels. This is great! Would you be open to critiquing another manuscript for me? This one is written in prose.
Wishes for a wonderful day!
Lori Mozdzierz
June 17, 2019
You are an absolute gem! It all makes sense to me. I'll send this off now. She's boiling over with ideas so it a good time for her to concentrate on this. She's currently in Florida, but was so grateful when I told her that I'd approached you.
Cheers!
Francis
Frances Plumpton Literary Agency
New Zealand
June 17, 2019
I am a published author today because of Kelly Milner Halls. Not only is she a master at critiquing fiction and nonfiction, she is kind, caring, and genuine. And she will be your biggest cheerleader. I highly recommend Kelly for your book needs!
Nancy Roe Pimm
http://nancyroepimm.com/
Why me?
After 30 years in the business of writing for young readers, I have seen more than 1,000 articles and 50 books published by houses including HarperCollins, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Lerner, Sterling, National Geographic, Rourke, Running Press and more. My resume includes nonfiction and fiction.
A few of my honors and awards:
Cybil Award 2019, Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers
Junior Library Guild 2019, Death Eaters: Meet Nature's Scavengers
Washington State Book Award nominee 2014, Ghostly Evidence
TxLA Spirit of Texas Award 2014, Alien Investigation
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers, 2012, In Search of Sasquatch
NYPL Children’s Book List 2011, In Search of Sasquatch
Parents Choice Silver Award, 2010,– Saving the Baghad Zoo
Junior Library Guild Premier Selection, 2009, Wild Horses
New Jersey Garden State Children’s Book Award List 2009, Tales of the Cryptids
Highlights for Children -- Best Arts Feature of 2008 (Jack Prelutsky profile)
Texas Lone Star Reading List 2008-2009, Tales of the Cryptids
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Tales of the Cryptids
Junior Library Guild 2008, Mysteries of the Mummy Kids
Junior Library Guild 2007, Tales of the Cryptids
IRA Top Five Children's Choice, 2006, Wild Dogs
Benjamin Franklin Award, 2006, Wild Dogs
Izaak Walton League of America Conservation Book of the Year, 2005, Wild Dogs
Orbis Pictus Recommended 2006, Wild Dogs
Junior Library Guild 2005, Wild Dogs
YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, Albino Animals
Benjamin Franklin Award, 2005, Albino Animals
Orbis Pictus Recommended, 2005, Albino Animals
Junior Library Guild 2004, Albino Animals
VOYA Honor 2004, Dinosaur Mummies
Booklist Top Ten Science Books 2003, Dinosaur Mummies
Junior Library Guild 2003, Dinosaur Mummies
Highlights for Children Best Science Feature 1995
Highlights Best Nonfiction Feature 1996
Book Report/Kids Reads Executive Editor
Contributing Editor, Archaeology's Dig
Contributing Editor, Dinosaurus Magazing
Contributing Editor, Dino Times
US Kids: A Weekly Reader Magazine, seventeen cover stories between 1996 and 1998
