What is a manuscript evaluation?
Also called a manuscript assessment, manuscript critique, editorial assessment, and manuscript appraisal, a manuscript evaluation is a big picture look at your manuscript’s overall strengths and weaknesses, and will provide suggestions for how to go about your next edit.
Every manuscript is different, so every evaluation is different, but some common topics brought up in an evaluation are:
- Character Development
- Plot
- Structure
- Tone
- Genre Conventions
- Reader Experience
- Resolution
- Pacing
- And More
Unlike a full developmental edit, you only receive a letter instead of both a letter and notes within the manuscript.
This option is great for authors who aren’t ready for a full developmental edit, would prefer a more budget-friendly option to the full edit, or who are only interested in some general guidance for their next revision.
What you can expect from me
You will receive an evaluation in the form of a letter that covers some or all of the topics listed above as it relates to your story. I don’t do spelling and grammar edits. For a manuscript evaluation, there will be no comments in Track Changes, only a letter. Absolutely no AI is used at any point in my process.
Included in the evaluation will be a chapter outline, with one or two sentences summarizing the core of each chapter.
Genres I do and don’t edit
My primary genres are literary fiction, romance, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. If you don’t see your genre here but think I would be a good fit, then send me a message. I won’t edit nonfiction, memoirs, or poetry at this time.
My Rates
Full Evaluation
$0.01 – 0.014
per word
✓
An editorial letter in the form of a manuscript evaluation that addresses big picture story weaknesses (and strengths!)
✓
Email correspondence to talk about your vision for your story—and to see if we’re the right fit—before any payment is processed
✓
No AI used in my process
✓
50% upfront, 50% upon delivery (or, if reserving a future date, 25% to book, 25% at start, then 50% upon delivery)
Get a Free Sample Edit
Not sure if this is the right service for you?
I offer edits for the first chapter (up to 1500 words) of your story, for free. This will also help me give you an accurate quote should you decide to get the full evaluation, so don’t be afraid to request a sample.