why is it necessary?

A manuscript evaluation comes under the ‘developmental editing’ umbrella. It involves analysing the plot, world-building, characterisation, pacing, and more. Honing these major elements of your story helps to bring everything together cohesively to strengthen your writing and improve your readers’ experience. A meticulous developmental editing process is essential in writing a story that is compelling and urges your readers to continue, without lapses in attention.

This is a smaller-scale version of a developmental edit; the difference is in the depth. A developmental edit involves editing the manuscript document, adding in-line comments to each chapter, as well as an editorial report covering the ‘big picture’ elements. A manuscript evaluation will include an editorial report with the same insight as the one in a developmental edit, however the manuscript itself is not edited.

if you go through with a manuscript evaluation, this is what you will receive from me

A 10-20 page editorial report with an in-depth analysis of your storytelling, covering:

– The opening

– Characterisation and motivation

– Plot, structure, pacing and conflict

– Setting and world-building

– Narrative voice, point of view and tense

– General impressions and feedback.

Additionally, a few months after the edit, I offer a meeting to go over your revisions before you move on from developmental edits to the next stage, so we can assess the changes you’ve made based on my feedback and you can receive guidance on your next steps.

Finally, I also have an open line of communication that lasts beyond the completion of my work with you. If at any point leading up to publication or after, you would like some advice or support — even if you just want someone to be excited about your manuscript and progress with you — please do get in touch. I would love to hear from you!

what you can expect while working with me

Once you have filled out the form below, I will get in touch to arrange a call. We will go over where you’re at with your manuscript and what service(s) you’d like. I will provide an example of a manuscript evaluation for you to see how I work and offer feedback, and you can decide if I’m a good fit for you.

Following that, if you decide to continue working together, I’ll go over your entire manuscript and send you an editorial report. When you have finalised all developmental edits and are almost ready to move on, get in touch for a final call in which we can discuss the changes you’ve made, how the edit went following my feedback, and I can answer any questions you have. In the meantime, if you have any questions about my feedback, don’t hesitate to reach out!