Overview

Writers with promising manuscripts that simply need some objective editorial insight to improve their odds of successful publication can expect just that. Writers whose work isn’t yet ready for the marketplace will get candid, comprehensive feedback on what's not working, what they need to learn, and what we see as the best path to get the manuscript on a better and/or more salable track. All writers can expect a thoughtful, thorough assessment of their manuscript's literary and commercial potential with attention to any relevant points of craft. For fiction this includes plotting, structure, pacing, characterization, dialogue, writing style, mechanics, grammar, and punctuation. For nonfiction key considerations include content, organization, structure, clarity, flow, suitability for intended readership, writing style, mechanics, grammar, and punctuation.

Whether you're a novice writer or a seasoned pro, it can be hard to find candid, useful feedback on your manuscript. Friends, family, and other writers may be willing to critique your work, but their comments too often lack the objective, constructive feedback writers want most. When you're serious about seeking successful publication in any form, you're likely to need more than volunteer help, and a comprehensive critique from a skilled manuscript consultant provides specific guidance and ideas that can help you take your work to a whole new level. This is especially valuable for writers who:

• want to make sure a manuscript is truly ready for prime-time before submitting to agents or publishers or for direct publication

• are frustrated by the lack of specific feedback or positive responses to a manuscript and want to better understand what might be wrong

• want a professional opinion as to whether a work in progress is worth continuing, or guidance on the method of publication

• have had disappointing sales with a previous book 

The Manuscript Evaluation is available to writers at any level of experience, and we can work with manuscripts of any length, finished or unfinished. For the career-minded author, a Manuscript Evaluation is often the perfect first step in cultivating a long-term relationship with an editor who can be a consistent, reliable resource in the effort to publish successfully and write at the highest level possible.

how we assign editors to manuscripts | what genres of manuscripts we work on

What To Expect

Recommendations can range from suggestions on how to make an excellent book irresistible through advice on major structural or stylistic changes to help making a good idea work better. In cases where a story’s premise or conceptual weaknesses significantly limit the likelihood of its evolution into something with a reasonable chance of being published, the report will explore and explain the challenges in further detail with the follow-up phone consultation becoming the main vehicle for exploring how you might go about rethinking the project and getting it on a better track.

While the scope, length, and exact nature of the feedback we provide varies considerably based on the needs of each individual manuscript, most Evaluations fall between 8 and 12 pages in length and comprise of both diagnostic feedback and highly specific suggestions on any topic needed. 

Included in the price of the evaluation is up to a half-hour of phone or e-mail consultation with the reviewing editor. This session gives our editors the opportunity to answer any questions about comments made in the report and to discuss and respond to any ideas the author may have about the manuscript. Consultation beyond the time included in the evaluation package, if desired, is available at a special rate of $45 per hour.

Next Steps

In most cases, authors will simply go ahead and apply the feedback and insights gleaned in the evaluation process to undertake a revision. The best way to get feedback on a later draft is usually our Reread Report.

For authors wanting a deeper level of support and guidance through the revision process, we have a wide range of options available from our Developmental Services Menu. We also offer a full array of Line Editing and Copy Editing Services.Your editor can help you decide which if any of these services is appropriate and when they're best engaged.

Authors interested in help in finding a literary agent at the conclusion of the editorial process are invited to check out our Agent Matchmaking Program. Authors publishing or considering publishing their own work may want to visit our publishing consultation service or our comprehensive suite of cover design, interior layout, and e-book formatting services. 

Questions? Please don't hesitate to contact Managing Editor Ross Browne at (520) 546-9992.

Pricing

For manuscripts greater than 50,000 words, the fee for the Manuscript Evaluation is $0.008 per word.  For shorter works, please see the scale below.

Please note that manuscripts longer than 25,000 words do generally need to be printed and the printing costs $0.10 per page. Manuscripts should be formatted with double-spacing, 12 pt. type, with 1” margins.

Getting Started

Submissions can be arranged by filling out out the online submissions form below or by contacting Jane Ryder at the Tucson Office at (520) 546-9992.

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