Manuscript Assessment
When you’ve finished your first draft, it’s tempting to seek out a developmental edit. However, that service can provide an overwhelming amount of detail and be outside your budget. With a manuscript assessment, I still perform the same process of structural analysis for addressing big-picture issues while providing you more manageable feedback, both financially and informationally.
Some of the things I’ll cover: plot, character arcs, action sequences, worldbuilding, premise, dialogue, pacing, and magic system(s)
Here are your options for the form feedback will take:
Option One: Put it in the margins
A heavily annotated manuscript full of marginal comments
An hour-long editorial call
Option Two: Write me a letter
An editorial letter (15+ pages for a full-length novel) giving an overview of strengths, weaknesses, and areas for strengthening and improvement
An hour-long editorial call
Be aware that, unlike a full developmental edit, a manuscript assessment doesn’t include a book map!
Manuscript assessments begin at $.015/word, with a $300 minimum (20,000 words)
About Me
I have a specialty focus in developmental editing and worldbuilding in the fantasy/sci-fi genres. I’ve worked as lead editor on many manuscripts in traditional publishing and now I’m looking to help more authors submit strong manuscripts and feel confident when self-publishing.
One thing I value in the editing process is my relationship with the author. Sharing a novel, whatever stage it’s at, puts the author in a vulnerable state. It’s important for your editor to be the person in your corner. It’s my primary focus to look for ways to strengthen your manuscript, make it the best it can be, but to also celebrate what you excel at already. I want you to leave our time together with a complete understanding of where your manuscript is engaging and fun and drawing people in and where it can be improved. I do this through margin comments, summary notes, editorial letters, emails, and live conversations.
My site guides you to the services I recommend based on where you are with your novel. If you’re uncertain what services you need, send me a message through the contact form or one of my socials. Hiring an editor should be a phenomenal experience. Let’s start a conversation, see if we’re a good fit, and forge your novel into something people will write home about!