Invest in a Manuscript Evaluation

You'll get a high-level assessment covering four essential areas: structure, story, mechanics, and genre/audience. This evaluation provides commentary and actionable suggestions to help guide your next steps toward publication.

No, a complete manuscript isn't necessary! We accept manuscripts in various stages of development, so you're welcome to submit even if it's still a work in progress.

Yes! If you choose one of our Elite Authors packages worth $1,799 or more, the $199 evaluation fee can be applied toward your purchase, allowing you to save on future services.

Your manuscript will be reviewed by one of our seasoned professional editors who specializes in your genre. They’ll provide expert feedback aligned with your goals and publication aspirations.

Yes! Our editors have experience across a wide range of genres and provide feedback specific to the needs and expectations of your intended audience and market.

You’ll receive guidance on how to improve key aspects like structure, characterization, pacing, and plot, plus insight into which elements to expand or refine. This advice is tailored to help strengthen your manuscript for its genre and audience.

The typical turnaround time is about 1 week. We’ll keep you updated so you’ll know when to expect your evaluation.

No worries! This evaluation is designed to guide you toward success, but you retain 100% creative control over your work. It’s your story, and you make the final call!

Your manuscript should be submitted as a Word document. This format ensures easy uploading, readability, and accurate feedback on your work.

No, we don’t mark up your manuscript. Instead, you'll receive a separate 3-to-5 page document with detailed feedback on key elements. This allows you to make targeted improvements while keeping full control of your manuscript. A manuscript evaluation offers a high-level overview of what’s working, what’s not, and actionable suggestions for revision. While we don’t provide in-line comments or rewrite your prose, our feedback covers the big-picture essentials—structure, pacing, character arcs, voice, and clarity. Think of it as a roadmap for your next draft, pinpointing areas that need attention and highlighting strengths you can build on. If you’re still shaping your story, have multiple drafts, or aren’t quite sure what the heart of your manuscript is, a developmental edit—much more detailed and hands-on—might be a better fit. But for those seeking targeted, affordable insights without letting go of the steering wheel, our manuscript evaluation is a practical next step.

Our evaluation can help you decide which services will best support your manuscript. For example, a children’s picture book might focus on illustrations, while an epic fantasy benefits from detailed developmental editing. We’re here to help you select services based on your manuscript’s needs.

No, this is a subjective evaluation meant to provide constructive, actionable feedback. It’s designed to guide you while keeping your vision intact and supporting your goals.

Our service includes a manuscript of up to 150,000 words, which is usually about 500 pages. If your manuscript is longer, no problem! We'll provide a custom price for evaluating longer works.

You can purchase this service online through our website! Click here to get started. If you want to speak to a Publishing Consultant first, no problem! We are here to help. Please fill out a contact form, and someone will reach out to you shortly!

Most indie authors aren’t sure when their book is ready for professional editing. A good rule of thumb is this: If you’ve revised your draft as much as you can on your own and you’re no longer sure what’s working, it’s time to bring in an expert. A manuscript evaluation gives you a clear understanding of your book’s strengths and weaknesses so you can choose the right type of editing before you invest.

The most important step before publishing is getting an honest, professional assessment of your work. A manuscript evaluation helps you understand what needs revision, what level of editing you need, and whether your book meets genre and market expectations. This ensures the next steps—editing, design, formatting, and publishing—are smoother, faster, and more effective.

Not every manuscript needs the same type of editing. Some authors need developmental editing to address structure and storytelling; others need line editing for clarity and flow; and some require only copyediting before formatting and design. Your manuscript evaluation outlines exactly which editing level is right for your draft so you don’t overspend or choose the wrong service.

After finishing your draft, don’t jump straight into publishing. Instead, revise your manuscript once or twice on your own; then request a manuscript evaluation. It’s the fastest and most cost-effective way to understand what still needs work before moving into professional editing.

A manuscript evaluation highlights issues that sabotage reader engagement—like pacing problems, unclear arguments, plot inconsistencies, or weak character development. Addressing these issues early helps you publish a more polished, professional book and prevents negative reader reviews later.

An expert book editor will look for problems such as structural weaknesses, confusing sections, slow pacing, plot holes, repetitive writing, underdeveloped themes, character inconsistencies, unclear tone, and missing genre expectations. These are the issues that keep a book from being publish-ready, and they’re exactly what the evaluation is designed to uncover.

Many self-publishing authors skip the evaluation step, which leads to rushed editing, overspending, or publishing a book that isn’t ready. A manuscript evaluation helps you avoid those pitfalls by giving you a clear plan, identifying the right editing level, and ensuring your book meets professional publishing standards.

Negative reviews often point to structural or clarity issues that readers notice immediately. A manuscript evaluation helps you catch these issues—like confusing sections, uneven pacing, or unclear writing—before your book goes live. This improves your final product and increases your chances of earning positive reader reviews.

You can be more prepared by revising your draft as much as you can, addressing known issues, and thinking about your goals for the book. The manuscript evaluation will help you understand exactly what the editor will focus on, what you should revise first, and what steps to take to make the editing process smooth and efficient.

The ideal time is when you’re stuck on your draft or have completed a full draft and feel unsure about next steps. If you’re planning to self-publish, preparing for editing, or wanting professional feedback before investing in publishing services, the manuscript evaluation gives you the clarity, direction, and confidence you need to move forward.

Many authors worry an editor will change their voice or remove the qualities that make their writing unique. A manuscript evaluation preserves your style while offering professional insight into where the story, structure, or clarity can be strengthened. Your editor’s goal is to elevate your voice—not replace it—and the evaluation gives you actionable suggestions without rewriting your work.

This is one of the most common hesitations writers have. The manuscript evaluation begins with understanding your goals, genre, and non-negotiable creative choices. We follow consistent editorial standards that ensure your vision remains front and center, while giving you honest, constructive feedback to make your book stronger.

Different types of editing have different strengths and benefits. A manuscript evaluation isn’t an edit of your work—it’s a diagnostic tool to tell you strengths, weaknesses, and suggestions to improve your draft. Forms of editing include developmental editing, line editing, copyediting, and proofreading. The evaluation cuts through this confusion by giving you a clear, professional diagnosis of your manuscript and a recommendation for exactly which editing level you need next so you aren’t guessing or overpaying.

Start by comparing what each editor includes in their evaluation: the length of the feedback letter, the areas covered, turnaround time, communication style, and their experience with your genre. A strong manuscript evaluation gives you clarity, a clear plan, and editing recommendations without forcing you to commit to a full edit upfront.

An editorial evaluation is a diagnostic service. A professional editor identifies strengths, weaknesses, and next steps without performing line-by-line edits. Developmental editing focuses on big-picture improvements, line editing improves style and clarity, and copyediting corrects grammar and mechanics. A manuscript evaluation helps you understand which of these you actually need.

While every genre has its own expectations, our editors apply the same editorial rigor across all manuscript types. Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, we analyze structure, narrative flow, voice, pacing, clarity, and reader engagement, giving you feedback that fits your book’s unique goals.

Every evaluation includes a detailed editorial letter covering structure, pacing, character development (for fiction), clarity and argument strength (for nonfiction), voice, audience alignment, and overall readiness. You’ll also receive clear revision priorities and recommendations for the right editing services to pursue next.

Because “manuscript evaluation” isn’t a standardized industry term. Some editors offer a brief overview, while others provide extensive, chapter-by-chapter insight. The key is to focus on what you’ll receive: depth of feedback, topics covered, number of pages in the report, and expected outcomes. Transparency matters more than terminology.

If you’ve revised your draft but still feel uncertain about structure, clarity, pacing, or whether your book is ready for publishing, an evaluation can save you time and money. It prevents you from choosing the wrong editing service and gives you a roadmap that makes every later stage—from developmental editing to line editing—far smoother.

Yes. Many authors pay for the wrong type of editing simply because they aren’t sure what their book needs. The evaluation identifies your manuscript’s exact stage, strengths, and issues so you don’t invest in unnecessary edits or get stuck in repeated revision cycles.

Absolutely. Many authors feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin. The evaluation prioritizes what matters most and helps you avoid spending months revising sections that don’t move your story forward.

No. The manuscript evaluation is collaborative, not prescriptive. Your book editor suggests improvements, explains why they matter, and respects your creative decisions. You’re always in control of the final direction—it’s your book, and the evaluation simply ensures it reaches its full potential.