'The Frightened Yellow Vest' by Mal Briggs. Children's Fiction. 1985 words. Assess (FMss April '09)

'Spirit of the Jaguar' Reassess (FMss July '09) formerly 'The Jaguar Prince' by Christina Clark. YA Fantasy. Assess (FMss Jan '09)

At the end of last year, I entered my young adult manuscript, 'Spirit of the Jaguar', into the FAW Jim Hamilton Award competition.  It didn't win, but I've just heard that it received a Commended, so I'm very pleased with that.  I just wanted to thank you once again for helping me out last year with your assesment - I definitely wouldn't even have considered entering if not for your encouragement. // Many thanks for the reassessment. Commas – wish I could fill a bucket with them, pour them over the pages, and let them absorb into their rightful places by osmosis! Anyway, I shall now tooth-comb for my last mistakes, re-work my query letter and synopsis, and get going. Thanks for the info on the publisher/agent books and websites, and also on the Text YA Book Prize. Writing competitions had never occurred to me, but I’ll definitely give it a go – nothing to lose. Considering my lack of writing credentials, any such credits and Letters of Recommendation may just swing the balance and entice someone to actually read the ms. // Many thanks for the assessment of my novel.  I was greatly relieved to receive your positive comments, and look forward to following your suggestions for improvement.  A few of the structural points you picked up on had in fact been niggling me for some time – so it’s something of a relief to have them aired openly! Commended, 2009 FAW Jim Hamilton Award.

‘Around The Persian Garden’ by David Morriset.  Romance/Adventure.  Reassessment (FMss July 09) Assessment. (FMs Dec 08)

Many thanks for your assessment on my manuscript. While you have convinced me that I still have some extensive work to do, your comments have opened up some highly attractive options for the addition of some new layers to the narrative. Incidentally, I am astounded that you identified accurately some remnants of earlier drafts that I thought I had successfully woven into the draft I submitted to you. You picked the seams with impressive precision! The bottom line is that I feel encouraged and excited by your suggestions about taking a story with some potential and driving to the next level. By the time I complete the next draft I am confident it will read much less like a biography – or a “bad work diary” as you described a rather clumsy early part of the narrative. Hopefully, in a few months, I will have a multi-layered story that actually takes the reader to the sidelines – and occasionally on to the actual playing field – of one the twentieth century’s most significant political reversals. Again, many thanks for your help.

'Pepper Gets Lost' by Barry Parker, Creative ID. Illustrated Chapter Book. Proof. (FMss Sept 08)

'Just wanted to say thanks for the proof read – all corrected now and my wife is going to read and check I have made all the corrections. There may be a couple of questions/clarifications. Also wanted to say that it was the best mark up I have seen since London – I followed it very easily.

To Kill A Priest by J.J.Barrie. Crime. Assessment & Mentor. 118,991 words. (FMss April-Sept 08)

Writing is a very lonely profession, and like all of us, I needed assistance and critique. I naively sought a manuscript assessment, thinking the MS was finished. After a devastatingly honest first report, three months of numerous emails and hard rewriting followed. Only then did I realise how much was required to bring the MS to a publication stage. I became wholly sick of saying the words, ‘Is it relevant?’ and remembering the word ‘skim’, as I cut and pared, pasted and dumped, losing whole pages in a moment. After removing 20,000+ words over which I had sweated, the result finally received the precious reward – the assessor’s Letter of Recommendation. In my case, I cannot speak highly enough of Tom Flood. I thoroughly recommend Tom and the tortuous process – now to publish. LoR Passed Publisher 1st Submission Sept 2008. Publisher release Feb 2009. To Steal A Lady now also out on Amazon.com. For twofer special Australian sales: John's link www.jjbarrie.com

'Warrior' by R.E. Phillips.Young Adult Sci-fi Horror.14,121 words. Submission Package Assessment.(FMs-April 08)

 It was great to receive some constructive comments that I would have otherwise not have considered. I also appreciate your suggestions pertaining to contact details within my intended market, and possible avenues with which to approach prospective publishers and literary agents. I will attend to your suggested amendments and, if okay, contact yourself at a later date to organise a suitable timeframe with which to submit the entire manuscript for your appraisal. Once again, I appreciate your time and comments.  

'Elements of Nature' by Jerry Cayzer. Adventure Thriller. 105,000 words. Assessment and Mentor.(FMss Feb 07-April 08)LoR

'After experiencing three other assessment/appraisal firms, and getting nowhere, I chanced to approach Flood Manuscripts. Tom Flood personally became my appraiser and in due course my mentor. He turned out to be everything that others were not. With his painstaking guidance, my mish-mash of genres became a genuine adventure/thriller. We collaborated for a little over a year. After the initial appraisal, Tom seemed to know my story and characters as well as I did, yet he was mentoring three other clients during much of the time. Routinely, he replied to emails within a day, and he warned me on occasions of being unavailable for a few days. He was totally frank, to the extent of being brutal at times, then he would lavish praise (‘bootiful’ for instance) when I made an adjustment that was particularly appealing. I doubt there is anyone to touch Tom Flood.' Secured Agent April '09. Published, AuthorHouse, Nov '09. Also out on Amazon.

'Friends & Pho' by Heather Jacobs. Chick-lit/Romance. 61,627 words. Express Assessment (FMss Feb/Mar 08) Express Submission Package. Assess & Proof. (FMs Jul/Aug 08)

'I called Tom in a panic when I was trying to meet a deadline for an agent's submission for 'Friends & Pho' and needed some sage advice on what I could do to improve the manuscript before sending it out. Thank goodness I did. Once we established that I shouldn't bother trying to win the Booker Prize, Tom put aside any preconceptions he may have about chick-lit/romance and pointed out with good humour what needed to be done to keep it 'on genre' and therefore more likely to get published. His long list of my careless mistakes was a timely reminder of the importance of proofing and taking the time to read the manuscript over and over, again. He also had some great ideas on adding a little more depth to the story by fleshing out minor characters. Expanding on the interactions between the local Vietnamese and the clueless expat lead has been a great satirical device that has made the story richer. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Tom's services as an objective reader who can instantly see what needs improving and, perhaps more importantly, makes you feel confident enough to do the changes yourself.'

'I can't thank Tom enough for his professional and thorough review of my work. Tom's insightful observations and suggestions for improvement always made perfect sense and added much value and clarity to my manuscript. His vast knowledge and proven track record in the industry always gave me confidence. I took on board all of Tom's suggestions; was always happy with Tom's quick grasp of the bigger picture and whole structure, combined with his honest and technically skilled transparent approach. For anybody serious about improving their writing, I am happy to recommend Flood manuscripts. Thanks Tom.' Passed Agent and Publisher 1st Submission

 'The Eleventh Horse'. Period Crime. 98000 words. Assessment (FMss - May 08)LoR  'Unexpected Corollary' by Derek Scales. Period Crime. 81,605 words. Assessment (FMss - April 07)LoR

Tom was appalled at my typos, shocked at my punctuation, sickened at the mangled grammar but undaunted, he investigated then highlighted my many continuity and period errors. When I accepted his bang-on comments and made the re-write, his enthusiasm encouraged me to go look at the agent scene, lift up my head a little and get back to the keyboard for a sequel.  Phillip Island 9/11/07 Passed Agent 1st Submission Nov 2007

 'Servant of the Phrenet, Book 1 of The Quolltellan' by Gayna Denby. Fantasy novel. 101,000 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts) June 2007. Submission Copyedit. Sept 2007. LoR

It was wonderful to have someone of Tom Flood's calibre read my MS and like it. He read ALL of the MS and understood what the story was about. Tom's suggestions were insightful and he did not expect me to write like Tolkien. I liked that I was able to ask questions about the comments Tom had made. Thanks to Tom I feel I have a professional looking proposal to present to an agent and hopefully they will be as enthusiastic and positive as Tom Flood has been.

 'Comrade's Work' by Karen Fairhurst. Children's Picture Book (text only) 141 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - July 2007).

 Thanks for the report - the analysis and information is very constructive and your upfront overview of Australian publishing is very refreshing . I have  many ideas to follow. I would always prefer to illustrate and write, and will now continue to do so.

 'Ecklar’s Curse’ by Dale Furse. Fantasy/Science fiction YA novel.  60,000 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - March 2007) Reassessment (July 2007) Proof&Copyedit (Aug 2007)LoR.

 I’m so glad I sent my ms to Tom. His reading, arguments and comments have helped tremendously in the re-write. He delivered his criticisms with enough humour that I didn’t even feel guilty for my atrocious grammar. I will definitely submit ‘Ecklar’s Curse’ for a re-appraisal. I actually researched editing courses but then (delete then) thought, nah; I’ll send the ms to Tom.'   Sept '07 -'Just received your LoR. Wow, thank you so much. You really do have a way with words. If nothing else they will want to read EC. I want to read EC.' Dale's blog link http://dalefurse.blogspot.com/

 'Still Water' + 'Worst Case', Le Mez 4 & 5. Crime Fiction, 58000 & 59000 words. Assessment (Mar-May 2008). 'Rough Justice' + 'Taking Control', Le Mez 2 & 3, Crime Fiction, Assessment (Nov-Dec 2007) LoR. 'Evil Spirits', Crime Fiction, 66,500 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - April 2007) LoR. 'Native Soil', Contemporary Fiction, 66,500 words. Assessment (Nov 2006). 'Gatesworth's Reunion', Crime Fiction, 59,500 words. Assessment (Sept 2006) Re-assessment 64,000 words (Feb 2007) by James Packer.

The best sort of assessment comes from someone who hates what you do but admits that you’re right. Tom doesn’t hate everything I do, nor admits 100% that I’m right, but I can’t imagine anyone in Australia, assessor, editor, critic, with a keener eye for bullshit nor a greater determination to see beneath what troubles him about a book. If I’d been published before I met Tom’s brand of assessment, I’d be really missing out. Tom Flood is better than publication. Something they won’t know until they’re published. Also I wanted to say that you’re unlikely to get from any other assessor a whole new novel (fortuitously or nae).

 'Overkill'. Crime Thriller. 330,000 words. Assessment. (FMs - August 2007) 'Book 4'. Crime Thriller in progress. 32,000 words. Assessment (FMs - Mar 2007).'Choice & Consequence'. Romantic Suspense. 266,000 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - Jan 2007) Re-assess (June 2007).LoR. By Sharyn Bennett.

 Having finally worked up the courage to send my completed manuscript in for a professional assessment, after much deliberation, I chose Flood Manuscripts. Tom worked relentlessly through my modern romance story (all 1000 or so pages of it) in great detail and with a thorough understanding of what I was trying to achieve. His comments and criticisms were constructive, positive and immensely helpful, especially his grammatical advice, where my laziness often gets the better of me.

  The report was very detailed and professional and every page was worthwhile. The suggestions he made were sensible and his attention to detail is what makes the difference. Most of all, his encouragement and enthusiasm were priceless – the kind of feedback that is invaluable to a first time author. I cannot recommend Tom highly enough. He is generous to a fault with his time and advice and his knowledge of the literary world is exceptional. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Flood Manuscripts to any aspiring author who wants a constructive, knowledgeable and practical assessment of their work. It is worth every cent!  Passed Agent & Publisher 1st Submission Nov 2007 - not quite, Jan 2009.

 'Beyond Reasonable Doubt'. Crime. 99,000 words. Assessment (FMs - Sept 2008) 'Rohallion Dawn' by John Ramsay. Realist Contemporary Fiction. 107,000 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - Dec 2006) LoR.

 It’s never easy working alone, splendidly isolated from the back-patters and encouragers who usually surround people in their working lives. By the end of your final chapter, the mood can be pretty low and self esteem a thing of the past. With that sense of self-doubt, perhaps even dread, I sent my manuscript to Tom Flood. I needn’t have worried. He treated my work with remarkable respect and shook hands with my characters with the easy familiarity of someone who’s known them all his life. Tom knew, without me telling him, what I’d tried to achieve and he produced a detailed report that highlighted what I’d got right and what I’d got wrong. He hit the mark, every time. Longlisted Amazon Manuscript Award, shortlisted Dundee International Book Prize 2009

 The Last Whale by Chris Pash. Historical Non-fiction. 57,500 words. Mini-assessment and Structural Edit (Flood Manuscripts - July, August & October 2006)LoR

 Tom is much more than an editor. He's a mentor and guide. He challenges, cajoles and seeks that little bit extra. The Last Whale, a nonfiction book, needed a lot of fact checking, research and detailed interviews. Tom cut through the cluttter, helping create narrative flow and simple structure while maintaining discipline with facts - Chris Pash. Chris's blog:http://thelastwhale.wordpress.com  Fremantle Press, Oct 2008. Shortlisted Frank Broeze Memorial Maritime History Book Prize 2009

'The Nerve Triptych' by Craig Ensor.  Postmodern Literary Mystery Fiction.  95,500 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - Oct 2006)LoR.

As you know, in writing any novel the author takes on an immense task in a vacuum of sorts where it is natural to constantly question what you're doing and why you're doing it. Your report, which clearly appreciates my intentions and much more, gives me great joy, encouragement and vindication in undertaking this task. Thank you so much for that.

'Feast of the Bunya'. Pre-settlement Historical Adventure Romance Fiction. 96000 words. Assessment (Driftwood - Oct 2006)

“Many thanks for the very promising review of my manuscript. Above all, its restored my confidence, which was inevitably waning after such a long gestation. The suggestions for tidying it up also confirmed and clarified a number of points that I was unsure about. I am now getting back to work with renewed vigour - somewhat lacking of late.

Reassessment as 'Under The Weather' 107,640 words.(Nov 2007)LoR. 'In Sickness Land' by Matthew Clouston. Speculative Dystopian Satire Fiction. 95,500 words.  Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - Aug/Sept 2006)

'Tom Flood read my manuscript promptly, no small thing, but also thoroughly and carefully. This is what I wanted and exactly what I required (not always the same!). That care and thoroughness led him to make a pertinent and useful assessment. His ideas and comments were sparked by the writing, an enormously satisfying state of affairs! They were also informed by his understanding of the state of publishing which is, I daresay, of equal importance. At all times Tom was generous and helpful, and his service was of great value.

'Syrenna Bloo', Speculative Fiction. 115,000 words. Assessment. (Sept 2007) 'Lizzimania' by Richard Wyatt.  Speculative Utopian Romance Fiction. 90,500 words  Assessment & Copy Edit  (Flood Manuscripts - July and Aug 2006)by Richard Wyatt.

 I've used manuscript assessors on four previous occasions, including an earlier one on the story I sent Tom, and the feedback I got from his report was far and away the most useful. I'd suggest that too many assessments focus on rearranging the deck chairs rather than which way the boat is headed.  Tom is technical where necessary but he starts with an understanding of the book at the deepest level, alongside a realistic sense of what is marketable, and everything rolls out of that.  Comments about characters and language and story structure thus relate to what you're trying to achieve and your chances of achieving it, and don't just float around like lost paragraphs from a 'how to write' book.  Even if your book needs work and there are some hard truths in the assessment, the way he conveys things will entertain you. I believe they'll also help you.

The Messenger', Terrorism Thriller Fiction.  94000 words  Assessment (Driftwood - Aug 2006)

I was pleasantly impressed with the assessment of my novel. I have carefully weighed all the recommendations, which were detailed and comprehensive. I virtually agree with them all. My thanks to who so ever had the task of making sense of my ms.

'A Brief Mystery of Time', Young Adult Speculative Fiction in progress. 15000 words & 'Duelling Brains', Sociology Self-help Manual in progress. 30000 words, by Greg Olson-Hyde. Mentorship. (Flood Manuscripts - June and July 2006, March 2007)

July: It just makes me happy and encouraged simply to talk to Tom. // June: I sent my beloved text off to Tom Flood with some trepidation - I  needn't have worried. Tom was tough where required, and gave credit where due. The positive comments were uplifting and the toughness was very creative and constructive. I now feel much more empowered to continue writing my world changing tome. I am extremely pleased with Tom's concise assessment and encouraging manner.

'So You've Got Back Pain, Now Get A Life' by Dr Blair Neild. Self Help Non-fiction. 67000 words. Assessment (Flood Manuscripts, 2006

In May this year I sent a manuscript to you for assessment, it was about living with chronic pain.  Thanks so much for your comments, I found them very constructive and useful.  I have finally finished the last round of corrections (I hope) and am about to send it off to a friend for proof reading. Thanks again, you have really helped, not only my manuscript but also the way I write in general.

  'Just His Luck' by Judy Fander. Biography.  45000 words  Assessment (Driftwood - May 2006)

Extremely useful. Suggests 2 extra options for development and ways to improve existing work for self-publishing. The suggestions would substantially improve the work for self-publication.

'Heir to Greatness'  Historical Fiction.  216000 words Assessment (Driftwood - May 2006)

The thorough and intelligent assessment my manuscript received was everything I could have hoped for; I would rate it as excellent.

'Stan' by Chris Harris. Realist Period Fiction.  297000 words  Assessment (Flood Manuscripts - Mar 06).

Tom: May I say in general how very pleased I was with your report. To explain that remark: I can say, broadly that all your comments were so close to my own thinking that this almost astounded me. You have read the same story I wrote.

'Tales From a Mountain City'. Realist Period Fiction. 79,000 words. Assessment (Driftwood - Dec 2005)

Very helpful. I'm glad that all my shortcomings are pointed out to me in a caring, constructive way with understanding and sensitivity. I need this honesty and directness.

Turtle Dreaming' by Mike Roberts. Speculative/Mainstream Fiction. 27000 words. Assessment (Manuscripts Online - Sept 05) Structural Edit & Proofing (Flood Manuscripts - Nov 05)LoR

Tom Flood read my manuscript, like no one else ever has. He said he liked it, well some parts anyway and he was brutally honest about its problems.  He is brilliant with grammar, in my case, relentless with comma usage and conjunctions. His genius as an editor is his ability not to interfere, at all, with your work. Whilst working with Tom, who is generous to a fault with his time, I was reminded of James Joyce' description of the artist in Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man in that he "…like the God of the creation, remains within or behind or beyond or above …[your work]… invisible, refined out of existence...".
Tom helps you to communicate and present your work to its fullest advantage. He is inspiring and encouraging.  If you use Tom Flood for Assessing, Proofing or Editing, your work will be immeasurably the better for it.    www.mikeroberts.com.au

 'Il Paradiso'.  Contemporary Realist Fiction. 50,000 words. Third assessment (Driftwood - Nov 2005)

Got the report, no worries. People have doctored their reports in the past? Now there's determination for you. Seriously, that's head-shaking stuff. I'm really happy with this report, half the length of previous ones but twice as useful: the assessor sounds as if he/she enjoys what he/she is doing; clarity of comment
 - it's taken me umpteen readings to interpret previous assessments; eloquence of expression - I enjoyed simply reading it; constructively critical - doesn't pull punches but backs criticism with perceptive suggestions; encouraging with regard to strengths - this is so necessary but does need to be part and parcel of an 'unvarnished' appraisal. A very helpful assessment and this is the assessor I'd want to use for future manuscripts.

  'Nightfall'. Speculative Fiction Assessment 57,000 words.(Flood Manuscripts - July 2007) To be published 2010, Germany(Piper) & Australia(HarperCollins). Pilo Family Circus by William Elliott. Speculative (Satirical Horror/Fantasy) Fiction Assessment (Driftwood Manuscripts - Oct 2005)

I recall on the brochures sent back with assessment reports that you like to hear of news of manuscripts that pass through Driftwood. You may or may not have heard what's become of mine, 'The Pilo Family Circus'. It's won the ABC fiction award and will be published in October. I want to thank you for such professional treatment of that work...the assessment was an important step for me to make that breakthrough.
 Sincerely,  Will Elliott.  April 2006  Published Oct 2006, Aust, NZ-ABC Books. UK,Sweden,Italy,USA -Quercus. Winner ABC Fiction Award 2006. Shortlisted International Horror Guild Award Best Novel USA 2006. Winner Golden Aurealis Award 2007. Joint winner Aurealis for Best Horror Novel 2007.SMH Best Young Novelist 2007.

'A Final Odyssey'. Travel Memoir/Life Stories. 127000 words. Assessment (Driftwood - June 2005)

 Very, very useful. It has given me a great deal of confidence + enthusiasm to go on to a final draft - not to mention the useful suggestions. I appreciated the overall assessment in that the assessor had obviously read the manuscript carefully +, in spite of disliking the genre (travel + life experience) was still able to give me a positive + encouraging report. My curiosity plagues me! I would love to know more about the assessor! She (I think it was a she?) has a great sense of humanity which is always a help.