Short Story Critiques
Short stories are delicate, concentrated things. With so few words, every sentence carries weight; a single image, gesture, or pause can change how the whole piece feels. That’s also what makes them difficult. When you’ve been close to a draft, it can be hard to see what’s truly working, or where the story is holding back. A thoughtful critique gives you that outside eye — not just pointing to the rough edges, but helping you see how to bring the story closer to what you intended.
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Tanya Pengelly approaches short story critique with this in mind. She begins with atmosphere and emotion — how a story breathes, where it carries weight, and where it falls thin — before moving between the big picture and the line level: structure, character, pacing, rhythm, and dialogue. ​Tanya’s professional short story feedback has helped writers place stories in journals, strengthen competition entries, and take drafts from rough beginnings to polished submissions.
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Particular Expertise
Tanya has taught short story writing at the University of Birmingham, run dedicated short story workshops, and for the past eight years has led Milverton Writers — a long-standing writers’ community known for its close reading, careful feedback, and commitment to the short form. She is also an award-winning writer, recipient of the Robert Day Award for Fiction and the Rhys Davies Short Story Award, with work published in journals and anthologies. This combination of academic teaching, workshop practice, community leadership, and personal craft informs the perspective she brings to every critique.
In particular, Tanya offers:
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Atmosphere and emotion – a focus on how a story feels, and how it lingers in a reader’s body after the final line.
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Narratology of relationships – insights from her doctoral research, attuned to how relationships are built on the page and how they shape a story’s deeper meaning.
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Flexibility with form – comfort with both traditional narrative arcs and more experimental or playful structures.
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Macro and micro attention – guidance at every level, from structure, character, and pacing to sentence rhythm, imagery, and word choice.
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A constructive approach – rather than flagging weaknesses, Tanya offers practical suggestions for revision, showing writers how to strengthen what’s already there and take their work further.
For Writers at Every Stage
Tanya works with writers wherever they are in their practice. Each report is tailored — exploratory where it needs to be, exacting where it matters — to give writers the confidence and direction to move forward.
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For those just starting out, her feedback offers encouragement, clarity, and practical steps for understanding how a story is landing with readers. She helps newer writers see the strengths in their work as well as where to focus their attention next.
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For developing writers, she provides guidance on structure, pacing, and voice, helping to refine stories so they carry greater depth and resonance.
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For experienced writers preparing for competitions and publication, her critiques are rigorous and precise, offering the close, professional-level reading needed to take work from strong draft to polished submission.
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Services
Tanya offers professional short story critiques and one-to-one online sessions designed to help writers at every stage of their practice. Whether you are polishing a competition entry, preparing for submission, or shaping the first draft of a new idea, her feedback is constructive, rigorous, and tailored to your needs.
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All critiques are priced per 1,000 words, with different service levels depending on the depth of feedback you’d like. Online sessions are available either as a follow-up to a critique or as a way to develop an idea before you begin drafting. Critiques provide detailed written feedback on your manuscript, while online sessions give you the chance to discuss your work directly in real time.
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If you’re not sure which service is right for you — or if you’d like to discuss your project before booking — you can use the contact form at the bottom of the page to get in touch. Tanya will be happy to recommend the option that best fits your goals.
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Manuscript Critiques
​​​Critiques are priced per 1,000 words (rounded to the nearest thousand), so you only pay for the length of your story. Each critique is returned within 10–14 days and includes a written report, with the depth and detail varying by service level.
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Reader’s
Report
£30 per 1000 words
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A clear, big-picture overview of your story. Tanya will read with attention to atmosphere, tone, and structure, identifying where the story is landing well and where it might be refined. You’ll receive a 1–2 page written report outlining:
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What works well in the current draft
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Where atmosphere and emotion connect (or don’t)
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Suggestions for strengthening structure, pacing, or character arcs
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Questions to guide your next draft
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Best for: Early drafts, or when you want an honest first reader’s perspective without line-level detail.​
Full
Critique
£40 per 1000 words
A balanced critique that looks both at the whole story and its finer details. Tanya will provide comments throughout your manuscript, as well as a 2–4 page report highlighting what is effective and what could be developed further. Expect feedback on:
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Macro: structure, characterisation, pacing, narrative arc
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Micro: rhythm, word choice, dialogue, imagery
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Atmosphere and emotional resonance
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Specific suggestions for revision, both structural and stylistic
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Best for: Stories you are preparing for competitions, journals, or anthologies, or drafts you’re ready to revise in detail.​
Comprehensive Critique
£50 per 1000 words
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The most in-depth level of feedback. Tanya will read closely at every level — sentence rhythm, image patterning, dialogue, structure — and return your story with detailed line edits plus a substantial written report. This is the closest experience to a developmental edit of a story. You will receive:
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Extensive line edits in the manuscript
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A 3–5 page written report
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Notes on both form and content, including alternative structural or stylistic approaches
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Suggestions for how to refine or expand experimental elements without losing clarity
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Best for: Longer short stories (5,000–10,000 words), ambitious or experimental work, or stories you want the most detailed professional feedback on before submission.​
Online Sessions
For writers who prefer a more conversational approach, Tanya offers optional one-hour online sessions (via Zoom or equivalent). These can be booked alongside a critique, or separately if you are still at the idea stage. Each session is focused entirely on your work, giving you space to ask questions, explore possibilities, and leave with a clearer sense of direction. Choose the session that suits your stage of writing.
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Idea Development Session
£60 per 1 hour session
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Sometimes you don’t yet have a finished draft, but you know you’d benefit from guidance before putting too many words on the page. In this one-hour session, Tanya will help you unpack your concept, discuss structure and form, and identify the atmosphere and emotional resonance you want your story to create. This can save time in drafting and give you a stronger foundation to build from.
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Best for: Writers at the early stages of a story who want expert input on shaping an idea, outline, or initial draft before committing to a full critique.​
Follow-Up
Session
£60 per 1 hour session
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Once you’ve received your written critique, you may want to talk it through in real time. In this one-hour session, Tanya will walk you through the key points of feedback, answer any questions, and help you explore possible approaches to revision. Many writers find that this conversation deepens their understanding of the written notes and sparks new ways forward.
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Best for: Writers who have received a critique from Tanya and want to clarify feedback, explore revision strategies, and leave with a clear action plan.​​
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Frequently Asked Questions​​
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How do I pay?
Full payment is required upfront before critique work begins or an online session takes place. Payment can be made via bank transfer or PayPal (details provided on booking). All prices are in GBP (£). Prices are calculated to the nearest 1000 words.
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How do I book an online session?
Online sessions are subject to availability and run on London (UK) time. A suitable slot will be agreed before payment is requested.
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​Can I book multiple stories or a collection?
Yes. You can book multiple short stories at once, and the fee will be calculated based on the combined word count. For projects over 10,000 words (such as a story collection), timing and pricing can be discussed individually.
​What is not included?
This is a critique and developmental feedback service — it is not proofreading, copyediting, or ghostwriting. Tanya does not guarantee publication or competition success.
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​Will my work be kept confidential?
Yes. All manuscripts and critiques are treated as confidential and will never be shared without permission.
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​Do you offer ongoing mentoring?
Yes. Some writers prefer to work together over a series of critiques or regular online sessions. This can be arranged individually depending on your needs.
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​What if I have another question?
If you’re unsure about anything not covered here, just use the contact form at the bottom of the page. Tanya will be happy to answer and help you decide what’s right for your work.
​How long will it take to receive my critique?
Critiques are usually returned within 10–14 days of receiving the manuscript. If a longer timeframe is needed, this will be agreed in advance.
​What length of story can I send?
You can send any length of story, but bear in mind that this will affect the price and longer stories may have a longer turnaround time. Manuscripts should be sent as Word or PDF files.
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Can you re-read my story after I revise it?
Yes. Many writers choose to send a revised draft after their first critique. This can be booked as a new critique, or sometimes at a reduced fee depending on the scope of revision.
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​Do you work with experimental or hybrid forms?
Yes. Tanya is as comfortable working with experimental or playful structures as she is with traditional and genre short fiction. Her feedback is tailored to the form you’re working in.
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​Can I request a refund?
Once a critique has been delivered, refunds are not available.
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​Do you work with international writers?
Yes. Tanya works with writers worldwide. Critiques are delivered by email, and online sessions can be arranged across time zones (sessions run on London/UK time).​
How to Book
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Use the contact form below to indicate the service you’d like to book.
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Confirm details – Tanya will email you arranging a time to meet online, or asking for the manuscript(s) in Word or PDF format, before confirming the fee and expected turnaround time.
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Make payment – Payment is made upfront via bank transfer or PayPal to secure your slot.
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Receive your critique – Your critique will be returned within the agreed timeframe, complete with report (and line edits if included).
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(Optional) Book an online session – If you’d like to discuss the feedback face-to-face, you can add a one-hour online session (£60) after receiving your report.
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Not sure which service is right for you? Just get in touch. Tanya will recommend the best option based on your goals, whether you’re polishing a competition entry, preparing for submission, or working through an early draft.
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Once you submit this form, Tanya will confirm your fee, turnaround time, and send payment details to secure your booking.
