Manuscript Evaluation

Elevate your novel into a captivating journey that delivers the ultimate reader experience.

Does this sound familiar? You finished your novel and then...

You sent your novel to agents, but they've all rejected it.

Your beta readers gave you input, but it’s vague and sometimes contradictory... now you’re not sure what to do.

You self-published your novel but quickly removed it after receiving several mediocre reviews.

You've grown nervous and uncertain about the story that once felt so magical... now, instead of finishing the story, you’re thinking about shelving it and starting something new.

You're Not Alone!

I understand the uncertainty. I've encountered countless writers who find themselves at a crossroads after declaring their manuscript "finished." I've been in that exact position more times than I can count. It's frustrating. And honestly, it's lonely, too.

Contrary to the advice of many so-called influencers who claim you can do it all alone and that quality takes a back seat to a hefty marketing strategy and volume of output—you aspire to craft stories that resonate with readers. You seek more than fleeting trends.

You envision a fulfilling and impactful writing career.

Here's the truth: Even accomplished authors need a helping hand. We all rely on guidance and support to flourish.

Instead of facing the struggle alone, why not seek assistance? Trust someone who has walked the path you're on—someone armed with experience and expertise to elevate your manuscript into a book you're genuinely proud of.

Having completed your first draft, the next step is a comprehensive manuscript evaluation...

You’re ready for a manuscript evaluation if:

You’ve written a draft of your novel or novella.
You believe that telling a compelling story that engages readers is the first step in a writer's success.
You’ve had friends and family read the book, and you’ve received positive feedback, but none of it’s actionable.
You’re tired of agents ignoring you, and you’re losing steam with the whole query process.
You're serious about becoming a successful author.

Here's What You'll Get from a Manuscript Evaluation...

When we’re done discussing your story, you’ll know exactly how to tackle the rewriting and revision phases of your manuscript. You’ll have a clear understanding of the current state of your manuscript and a detailed roadmap for tackling your revisions.

Evaluation

An in-depth, written report that highlights what’s working and what’s not (and how to fix it). I look for potential problems with the premise and plot, pacing, tension, conflict and resolution, setting and world-building, characters and character growth, and whether or not the story meets the reader’s expectations associated with your genre.

In-Document Comments

I will occasionally leave comments within the manuscript to point out specific examples of what I mention in the report. However, this is not an in-line edit, so the notes will be sporadic. These notes are designed to ensure you have a clear idea of exactly what I’m suggesting in the editorial report.

One 60-minute video conference

After you've had a chance to read through the evaluation, we'll meet to discuss my feedback. This is a great time to ask questions and for us to brainstorm ideas.

A concrete plan

In our discussion, I'll provide an action plan unique to you and your story. These next steps will give you a clear path as you move on to the rewriting and revision phase of your project.

Additional services

My manuscript evaluation package does not include line editing, copy editing, or proofreading. However, I do provide those services when needed based on a predetermined page rate.

A manuscript evaluation is NOT a good fit if:

You write non-fiction or poetry.
You’re only looking for help cleaning up the grammar, syntax, and spelling in your story.
You’re looking for a few generic comments similar to what you might expect from a beta reader, or you’re looking for someone to say you’re story is great as it is.
Writing is more of a hobby and you are not willing to do rewrites based on the feedback you receive.