Manuscript assessment explained
A manuscript assessment is a form of developmental editing – with you in the driving seat. It’s designed to help you with further revisions. Think of it as your roadmap to a stronger manuscript. There aren’t any direct edits, but you’ll receive a comprehensive, detailed report with guidance on the book’s strengths and weaknesses, and how you can improve in redrafts. I’ll give my thoughts on areas such as:
- Plot
- Structure
- Conflict and stakes
- World-building
- Characterisation
- Writing
- Point of view
- … and so on
The report varies in length, but generally runs around ten pages and includes some example segments from your text to help guide you. Also included are recommended writing craft resources for further reading, and one email consultation for questions.
I only offer this service for fiction.
Pricing
Prices vary depending on the length of the manuscript, and whether you have any additional requirements from the service such as reading through revisions. My pricing is guided by the CIEP’s suggested minimum rates and the Editorial Freelancers Association’s rate chart. If we decide to work together, I require a 25% booking deposit that is non-refundable.
Testimonials
I can’t thank you enough for your opinions on how to improve my story. I feel much more confident in what I’ve written now and what I’ve changed about the story thanks to you.
– Pixie-JJ, fantasy author
The manuscript assessment I received from Rachel was extraordinarily helpful. Some of the feedback confirmed suspicions I had, which as a new writer helped me gain confidence in my own inner critic. But much more of the assessment addressed aspects I had not considered or those I thought I had worked out well. Rachel provided explanations as well as specific examples from my manuscript on each area of strength and weakness. That made the feedback much more impactful, as I could see the passages/lines and immediately understood her points. She even provided some excellent resources to help me improve on some of these areas. I was blown away by Rachel’s thoughtful and thorough work and there is no doubt that my novel will be incalculably stronger because of Rachel’s feedback. She is simply amazing. If you are a writer in search of professional editing services, you found them. End of search.
– Wes Cook, author
Rachel’s detailed feedback was instrumental in making my novel what it is today. Her insights into character development, structure and plotting have massively helped me create a much pacier and more layered book. Not only did Rachel look at overall issues and strengths of the novel, she also gave detailed chapter by chapter feedback. Such attention to detail is something I’ve rarely come across in an editor. You’ll find Rachel creative, passionate and above all professional and kind. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.
– Molly Aitken, author of THE ISLAND CHILD (Canongate)