Get a full literary critique of your completed manuscript. NYT/New Yorker style.
View on GitHubhowells/fiction
fiction
skills/critique/SKILL.md
January 25, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/howells/fiction/blob/main/skills/critique/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill critiqueInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/critique/Request a full manuscript critique using the critique agent.
## What This Does
1. Asks what length critique you want (long, medium, or short)
2. Checks if manuscript is complete
3. If complete, reads entire manuscript
4. Produces a literary review at your chosen length
5. Includes craft observations (long/medium modes)
## Prerequisites
**The manuscript must be complete.** The critique will check for:
- All chapters marked as drafted
- Status markers indicating completion
- Reasonable chapter count
If incomplete, it will decline and explain what's missing.
## Usage
```
/critique # Critique the current project
/critique book 2 # Critique specific book in series
```
If arguments provided: $ARGUMENTS
## Length Options
- **Long** — Full 1000-1500 word NYT/New Yorker style review with 2-3 craft observations
- **Medium** — Substantive 400-600 word review with 1-2 craft observations
- **Short** — Quick 150-250 word summary of key strengths and concerns
## Output
Critiques are saved to `critiques/critique-YYYY-MM-DD-{length}.md` and tracked in `progress.md`.
A professional literary review covering:
- Prose style
- Structure and pacing
- Characterization
- Emotional resonance
- Thematic coherence
- Plus craft-level technical observations (long/medium modes)
## When to Use
- After completing a full draft
- Before major revision
- When you need distance and perspective