Manuscriptassessment

A detailed written report, usually at least six pages, based on a close read of your whole manuscript. I look at how the big structural pieces fit together (structure, pacing, character, tension, theme, worldbuilding and so on), and set out what's working, what's not, and why. The goal is to give you a clear strategy of what to work on next. There's an optional call afterwards if you want to talk any of it through.

Both are thorough reads that evaluate all of the big elements: structure, pacing, character, worldbuilding, whether the story is doing what you want it to, etc.

A manuscript assessment only provides a report, while developmental editing also has comments written throughout the manuscript so you can see how the feedback applies to exact points on the page. An assessment is usually enough if you just want big-picture direction, but if you want detailed advice on revising your story structure closely, developmental editing is the choice.

It depends on the length of your manuscript and how much is booked in at the time, but I aim to get your manuscript back to you within 2-4 weeks, and you'll have a confirmed delivery date before you commit. If you're working to a deadline, tell me early and I'll let you know whether it's doable.

It can, though not directly. An assessment will give you an honest evaluation on where the manuscript is strong and where it still needs work. Most people get an assessment to guide their revision to get the book into the best shape they can before they start submitting.

Yes! If there's something you already know you're worried about, let me know when you book and I'll pay particular attention to it. I'll still read and report on the whole manuscript, but I can weight things towards what matters most to you. You know better than anybody what you want your story to feel like, so if there's something you already know isn't working, that gives us a great point to start.

Completely. Everything you send stays between us. It's never shared, never published, and never put into any AI tool. Your work and your ideas are yours, and they stay that way.

Ideally, yes. An assessment works best on a complete draft, because a lot of what I'm looking at is how the whole thing holds together from beginning to end. If your manuscript is still in progress, or you're earlier in the process, Story Consulting is usually the better fit, since it's built for work that's still taking shape.

Yes, especially if you're going it alone. Self-publishing means there's no agent or publisher giving the manuscript an editorial read, so an assessment is a way to get that honest outside perspective before you release it. I'll tell you where the story is working and where it still needs attention. Just remember it's structural feedback rather than a final proofread, so it sits earlier in the process than copyediting or formatting.