howells/fiction/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