You’ve written a book. Congratulations! I know well how much hard work and dedication that involves. Finally reaching ‘The End’ is a big achievement – but now what?
As an author, you’re often alone. You write in a bubble, and when you finally emerge with a finished manuscript, you’re not sure what others will think of it. Will readers respond well to this book you’ve toiled over? There’s only one way to find out: share the book and ask for feedback.
Of course, you can ask friends or family members to give you feedback, and that will be useful. But will they be entirely honest? And how much do they know about writing and editing and publishing?
As an experienced developmental editor and writer, I can give you insightful feedback on your book, helping you to:
Identify what’s working in the manuscript and what could be improved
Consider readiness for publication and marketability
The thought of a professional editor reviewing your book can be daunting, but with me, your book is in safe hands. As an author myself, I know how it feels to share your writing, and I treat my clients with respect and sensitivity. My goal is to support you in moving forwards on your writing journey.
Charlie is an excellent editor. She is very thorough and creative. Charlie’s comments are always constructive. She is also a pleasure to work with. She is a personable, reliable and professional editor and I am delighted to recommend her.
– Michael Drayton, Author (Routledge)
The role of the manuscript assessment in the publishing process
The manuscript assessment comes before everything else – it lays down a framework for the work to come. Does the book need rewrites? Restructuring? Does it need to be repositioned for the market? How might the book be published? Once the author has finished any work inspired by the manuscript assessment, the book is ready for more detailed editorial input, whether developmental editing or copy-editing.
My manuscript assessment
The manuscript assessment is a report on the big picture of a book. Whereas developmental editing provides detailed feedback, the manuscript assessment gives an overview of key aspects of the book, and it offers guidance on publishing. The assessment covers:
The foundations of the book
Structure and length, writing style and tone, content/plot; and for fiction: backdrop, characterisation and pace.
Publication considerations
Title, genre fit, target readers, inclusivity, readiness for publication, submission potential and marketability.
The report gives you a clear picture of which areas could be developed and how you may take the book forward for publication.
Remember: my role when I review a book is to offer constructive feedback. I’m sensitive in my approach, and I make a point of telling authors what’s good in their writing as well as where they can develop. Above all, I’m always honest, and I give you my professional opinion on the book.
I could not have wished for a better editor. Boundless enthusiasm, meticulous attention to detail and responses to my seemingly endless queries without ever any complaint.
– Jonathan Lee, Author (Hideaway Fall)
Manuscript assessment FAQs
How much does a manuscript assessment cost?
My rate for a manuscript assessment is £7.50 per 1,000 words.
How long does a manuscript assessment take?
This depends on the length of the book and my current availability. Turnaround is usually a week, but if I’m particularly busy it can be ten days to a fortnight.
How can I prepare for a manuscript assessment?
All I need is the manuscript, ideally as a Word document. You don’t need to format it in any particular way.
If you’d like, you can also send me some notes about the book. I’m especially interested to know how you plan to publish the book and into which genre you see the book fitting.
What comes next?
Sometimes my manuscript assessment is abundantly positive, and I recommend that the author submit the book to agents/publishers, if this is their preference, or publish it.
Often, though, the author uses my feedback to develop their book further. They may undertake some rewriting or restructuring, for example, or add/remove some content, or review the overall writing style and tone.
Once they’ve developed the manuscript as far as they can, some authors move on to detailed developmental editing and others feel ready for copy-editing.
If you’d like to discuss a manuscript assessment, please get in touch.
