Manuscript Evaluation

What is a manuscript evaluation?

A manuscript evaluation is a standalone editorial letter that offers a bird’s eye view of your manuscript’s major craft elements. These craft elements include:

  • premise

  • plot

  • structure

  • characterization

  • setting

  • conflict, stakes, and tension

  • theme

  • narrative perspective

  • voice and tone

  • age-appropriate language and reading level

  • marketability (sales points and competitive titles)

  • further editing required

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Who needs one?

A manuscript evaluation is best for an author who has a complete (or mostly complete) draft of their manuscript and wants guidance about how to improve it.

If you’ve never received extensive manuscript feedback before, or if you’re not sure if your story is even “done” yet, then a manuscript evaluation is a good option for you.

With a quicker turnaround time than the developmental edit, this is also an appropriate choice for budget-conscious authors. And since this service doesn’t involve in-document feedback, it is perfect for writers who prefer a standalone editorial letter.

Not sure if this is right for you? Reach out and we can discuss your options in more detail.

What will you receive?

Through strengths-oriented feedback, I will offer actionable solutions unique to your story’s needs that will guide you along the next steps in your creative journey. With this service, you will receive:

  • a 10-15 page editorial letter assessing your manuscript’s major strengths and weaknesses along with suggestions for revisions and next steps

  • complimentary after-editing support in the form of question-and-answer emails

 Ready to start?

Tell me a bit about your project so we can both be sure that we’ll make a good author-editor team.