Manuscript assessment service for your book, novel or short story
Detailed and constructive feedback from professional book editor to critique your writing
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Has your book received positive feedback from your family and friends but you need an independent and objective review? Have you lost direction and need focus to get you back on track? Or do you need help with aspects such as how to 'show, not tell'? I will identify any issues, suggest revisions and offer guidance so you can complete your manuscript with confidence.
As part of my manuscript critique / assessment, I will discuss writing style, plot development, structure, characterisation, POV, dialogue, the flow and pace of your manuscript, and more. Please note this service doesn't include my book editing services which are Proofreading and Copy-editing. See below for more information on my manuscript assessment service. |
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Manuscript assessment for fiction novel |
What is a Manuscript Assessment?
A manuscript assessment (or critique) provides feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the book, ebook, novella or short story so the author can implement recommendations to improve plot, structure, characterisation, flow, pacing, dialogue and much more to ensure it is ready for self-publication or submission to an agent or publisher.
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A manuscript assessment covers the following aspects:
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This is an essential part of the writing process if guidance is required to finish the final draft before the copy-editing or proofreading stage. Feedback from an independent (and unbiased) third party helps the author to step back and see the book as ‘reader’.
When you’ve tweaked the plot, reworked your characters, rearranged the chapters, rewritten the dialogue and made even more amendments until you can recite paragraphs in your sleep – and whether they need to be reworked some more – you start to wonder if it will ever be finished.
A manuscript critique can be invaluable to clear the way and provide action points to ensure that final draft becomes a reality.
When you’ve tweaked the plot, reworked your characters, rearranged the chapters, rewritten the dialogue and made even more amendments until you can recite paragraphs in your sleep – and whether they need to be reworked some more – you start to wonder if it will ever be finished.
A manuscript critique can be invaluable to clear the way and provide action points to ensure that final draft becomes a reality.
Manuscript assessment for non-fiction book
The service was perfect for what I need as a first-time novelist. I needed to know the faults as well as encouraging what's good about my work, and I get both from Alex. As a first-time writer, it is extremely difficult to gain help and assistance on what I would consider 'raw material' to gain an indicator of my ability to write. I initially sent two chapters to Alex and the critique she performed was extremely useful to the extent that it spurred me on further to make improvements to my writing skills.
Nigel Rush
Different Levels of Manuscript Assessment
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First Chapter Critique
Up to 3,000 words (report of 1 page) for a first chapter, flash fiction or short story. You may want to use professional editorial services to assess your first chapter or flash fiction story or short story because you would like to submit to an agent/publisher and they have asked for a sample of your work. This is so they can gauge your writing style, whether you grab the reader’s attention and have written an absorbing story, and if it is viable in the marketplace to be successful. |
As agents and publishers receive thousands of submissions each year, it is paramount that the first chapter doesn’t take too long to get going, that the characters are engaging, it meets the fine line between too much and not enough detail/information, and there is enough to hook the reader so they keep turning the pages.
There are many reasons to put a book down, so don’t let your work be guilty of anything which lets your story down.
Also, you may want to check which areas – prose, pacing, scene setting, characterisation, etc. – need to be worked on and improved. You can then iron out any weaknesses and further build on your strengths as you continue writing the rest of the manuscript.
This option is ideal if you would like professional advice on how to improve your first chapter to submit to an agent/publisher or if you would like feedback at this initial stage so you can progress with confidence to continue your writing.
There are many reasons to put a book down, so don’t let your work be guilty of anything which lets your story down.
Also, you may want to check which areas – prose, pacing, scene setting, characterisation, etc. – need to be worked on and improved. You can then iron out any weaknesses and further build on your strengths as you continue writing the rest of the manuscript.
This option is ideal if you would like professional advice on how to improve your first chapter to submit to an agent/publisher or if you would like feedback at this initial stage so you can progress with confidence to continue your writing.
Critique of First Few Chapters, Short Ebook or Short Stories
From 3,000 to 10,000 words (report of 2-3 pages) for first few chapters, website ebook, Kindle single or collection of short stories.
So you’ve written the first few chapters and you’re wondering if this is the beginning of a story people will like enough to purchase or if an agent thinks it’s worthy to pitch to a publisher. The purpose of a manuscript critique is to ensure readers or agents don’t reject it due to a poor writing style, a slow/predictable/clichéd plot, an unorganised structure, boring/one-dimensional characterisation and much more.
Unfortunately, no assessment along with implementing the recommendations can guarantee every reader will enjoy the story or that your book will enjoy market success in the appropriate genre. But what it does provide is a set of key points to guide the author in the right direction to make the story the best it can be. This, in turn, gives the writer confidence to keep going and finish the manuscript so it is ready to be self-published or submitted to an agent/publisher. This is where an assessment of your first few chapters by a professional editor can help enormously.
Many agents and publishers will request the first three chapters or first 3,000 words (see 'First Chapter Critique' option above) to judge whether they want to represent your work.
Choose this option if you would like to hone your opening chapters in your full-length book or novella to make them as impactful and engaging as possible. Or if you would like a report (2-3 pages) on your short ebook or short stories up to 10,000 words. This will cover all the essential aspects in the bullet list detailed in the 'What is a Manuscript Assessment' section above.
From 3,000 to 10,000 words (report of 2-3 pages) for first few chapters, website ebook, Kindle single or collection of short stories.
So you’ve written the first few chapters and you’re wondering if this is the beginning of a story people will like enough to purchase or if an agent thinks it’s worthy to pitch to a publisher. The purpose of a manuscript critique is to ensure readers or agents don’t reject it due to a poor writing style, a slow/predictable/clichéd plot, an unorganised structure, boring/one-dimensional characterisation and much more.
Unfortunately, no assessment along with implementing the recommendations can guarantee every reader will enjoy the story or that your book will enjoy market success in the appropriate genre. But what it does provide is a set of key points to guide the author in the right direction to make the story the best it can be. This, in turn, gives the writer confidence to keep going and finish the manuscript so it is ready to be self-published or submitted to an agent/publisher. This is where an assessment of your first few chapters by a professional editor can help enormously.
Many agents and publishers will request the first three chapters or first 3,000 words (see 'First Chapter Critique' option above) to judge whether they want to represent your work.
Choose this option if you would like to hone your opening chapters in your full-length book or novella to make them as impactful and engaging as possible. Or if you would like a report (2-3 pages) on your short ebook or short stories up to 10,000 words. This will cover all the essential aspects in the bullet list detailed in the 'What is a Manuscript Assessment' section above.
Critique of Book, Novella or Short Story Collection
This is the option if you have a half-written book, a novella or a full-length novel (the word counts above determine which report is applicable) that you would like feedback on to assess whether it is now ready for the book editing services or book proofreader stage to finalise your manuscript ready for self-publishing or sending to an agent/publisher.
The feedback will often result in the author reworking or rewriting certain aspects – such as POV (point of view), flow, pacing, characterisation or dialogue – along with small or lengthy sections of the story. This will help to eliminate and rectify any weaknesses and reduce the amount it will cost for an editor to carry out a copy-edit or proofread or the need to hire a developmental editor. The editor assessing your work is probably the best person to help you determine when you are ready for the final stages of editing.
An editor won’t pass judgement if a book is great or not because this is individual to each reader. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all template which ensures a book will be a blockbuster, and even the most prolific and successful authors don’t please everyone who reads their book.
If you check out Amazon’s best-selling books, which are usually by mainstream/well-known authors, there will invariably be the odd 1- or 2-star review amongst the many 4 and 5 stars.
If you try to please everyone, you’ll probably end up writing for no one, least of all yourself. When assessing your own work, ask yourself if you would read the book if you didn’t know who had written it?
This service provides an independent and impartial assessment of your work so you can take a step back and see how a reader will view your work as well as an editor.
- From 10,000 to 50,000 words (report of 6-8 pages) for novel, novella or collection of short stories.
- Over 50,000 words (report of 10-15 pages) for full-length books of all genres.
This is the option if you have a half-written book, a novella or a full-length novel (the word counts above determine which report is applicable) that you would like feedback on to assess whether it is now ready for the book editing services or book proofreader stage to finalise your manuscript ready for self-publishing or sending to an agent/publisher.
The feedback will often result in the author reworking or rewriting certain aspects – such as POV (point of view), flow, pacing, characterisation or dialogue – along with small or lengthy sections of the story. This will help to eliminate and rectify any weaknesses and reduce the amount it will cost for an editor to carry out a copy-edit or proofread or the need to hire a developmental editor. The editor assessing your work is probably the best person to help you determine when you are ready for the final stages of editing.
An editor won’t pass judgement if a book is great or not because this is individual to each reader. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all template which ensures a book will be a blockbuster, and even the most prolific and successful authors don’t please everyone who reads their book.
If you check out Amazon’s best-selling books, which are usually by mainstream/well-known authors, there will invariably be the odd 1- or 2-star review amongst the many 4 and 5 stars.
If you try to please everyone, you’ll probably end up writing for no one, least of all yourself. When assessing your own work, ask yourself if you would read the book if you didn’t know who had written it?
This service provides an independent and impartial assessment of your work so you can take a step back and see how a reader will view your work as well as an editor.
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Here is a quick overview of the aspects covered in the manuscript assessment service:
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So, whether you would like help when writing POV (either first person or second person, and sometimes third person, to convey the thoughts, emotions and feelings of the narrator and characters), or how to develop characters (so they are relatable, believable and more rounded) or how to write engaging dialogue (so it feels alive and credible), an assessment of your work will guide you in all these areas and much more.
Enquire about this or any of my book editorial services by using the secure Contact Form.
Enquire about this or any of my book editorial services by using the secure Contact Form.
Manuscript critique for fiction novel
I didn't know what to expect, but I was overjoyed at the comprehensive report provided. It has given me ideas and advice as to where improvements can be made and given me the confidence to go forward with this project.
Wendy Goult
Manuscript Assessment Rates
Here is a breakdown of the cost for each level of manuscript assessment I offer:
Option |
Level of Service |
Price |
1 |
Up to 3,000 words (report of 1 page) for a first chapter, flash fiction or short story. |
£95 |
2 |
From 3,000 to 10,000 words (report of 2-3 pages) for first few chapters, website ebook, Kindle single or short stories. |
£195 |
3 |
From 10,000 to 50,000 words (report of 6-8 pages) for novel, novella or collection of short stories. |
£375 |
4 |
Over 50,000 words (report of 10-15 pages) for full-length books of all genres. |
1p per word For example, 55,000 words = £550 78,000 words = £780 |
Once the manuscript assessment has been returned, any additional work required thereafter (further questions from the author, amended text to reassess, more text to critique, etc.) is charged at £25 per hour (minimum charge £25).
How to make payment:
I accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer. Payment is required in advance of the work commencing and within 48 hours of receiving the payment request or invoice. See my Terms and Conditions for more information.
How to make payment:
I accept payment by debit card, credit card, PayPal account and bank transfer. Payment is required in advance of the work commencing and within 48 hours of receiving the payment request or invoice. See my Terms and Conditions for more information.
Contact Book Editing Services
If you would like to get in touch, let me know about your book and which service you're interested in by using the secure Contact Form. You can also use the form to discuss your editorial requirements, request a no-obligation quote or check availability.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
Please read my Terms and Conditions if you would like to use my editorial services so you are familiar with how I work and the requirements of both parties. I look forward to hearing from you.
