Why you should get a manuscript assessment for your novel
I originally wrote about this for Medium, where I continue to write articles about editing to help demystify this for writers who are seeking out this service. There is lots of info out there about manuscript assessments (also known as editorial assessments) and also developmental editing. The two often get overlapped, but they are two different beasts that address different needs and hit different price points. I’ve noticed that many websites don’t actually say what you are getting from these services and what it’s like to work with your editor. Also, for a lot of writers who are new to the experience, it can be daunting working with an editor and receiving your report. Here are elements to expect. This is what I touch on below in this article:
what actually is an editorial/manuscript assessment?
who is this for?
how does an editor work?
what is an editorial report?
receiving an editorial report
what it’s not
should I get a manuscript assessment and if I’m not sure, can I reach out anyways?
what about developmental editing?
It all begins with an idea.
Have you finished a first draft? Wondering if your final version is ready for an agent? Are you tinkering with a work-in-progress? Manuscript assessments are the perfect choice for letting your novel succeed.
Sometimes you feel like your work is overgrown and you’ve lost your way
There are a few names for it — manuscript assessment, editorial assessment and even developmental edit (but we will come to that later) —but what it boils down to is an in-depth evaluation by a professional editor of your entire manuscript. The editor will look at what’s working and what may not be working. This includes everything from character development, plot, narrative, pacing, style, structure and even your writing quality.
The idea is to receive an objective and extensive look at your novel as a whole, along with zoning in on specifics. For example, if you have believability issues that your editor knows readers won’t let go, they will point these out but also help you figure out a strategy for solving these. Another example, does your villain barely show up on the page and the ending reads more like a summation of events? Your editor will show you a guiding light.
Writing can feel like a solitary endeavour, but it doesn’t have to be. When you’ve spent months (and sometimes years), allowing yourself the opportunity for that clear, concise feedback can be a gift. You will often see a) elements that you didn’t see yourself and b) aspects that worried you and now a professional editor has tripled underlined.
What is a manuscript assessment/editorial assessment?
Comprehensive, in-depth professional feedback on your complete manuscript (or manuscript-in-progress)
An editorial report bespoke to your work’s needs that address a range of elements like structure, pace, plot, narrative, character development, logistics and believability, voice, dialogue and other bespoke needs
The report details what’s working and what might not be, and strategy for improvement
An editorial report runs in the 2000–3000 word range
Turnaround time is dependent on word count but can range between 3–5 weeks
Who is an assessment for?
Assessments are for writers who have finished a draft or who might have started something new and want to check in on their project.
For a full manuscript, you’ve reached the end and are ready to redraft or you’ve done extensive edits yourself and want an editor to assess the final version.
For partial manuscripts, you might be unsure of where you’re going. This is ok, too. An editor can still assess what’s working and what needs improvement, and your craft but will help with your strategy for completing the manuscript.
Who is my editor? Am I ready for feedback?
A good editor will understand your needs. They will collect information in a brief ahead of time and consider you and your project. Have you felt apprehensive about seeking out an editor and having another person read your work or maybe your gung-ho and ready for your draft to be ripped to shreds?
Direct clients still need care
Apprehensive clients still need constructive feedback
But the upshot is: everyone is here to make their manuscript better. You are passionate about your work and know your novel the best. If you remember that and are receptive to feedback, you will be successful working with an editor and following the plan delivered in your manuscript assessment (but remember, you don’t always have to follow all advice given but consider the spirit of it).
Receiving your editorial report
I always advise clients to read the report then wait at least a week before reading it again or actioning anything they want to take up from my editorial report. Think of this as a cool down period. Like mentioned above, you as the author, know your novel and the characters the best. Also, because it takes about 4 weeks to turnaround an editorial report, some clients might have been tinkering in the meantime and changed some portions of the draft I’ve read.
I do know that they leave aspects in for me to read to see how I react as a reader — if I react poorly or am confused — and then they go from there. Everyone has a different perspective on how they want to handle it and that’s their prerogative!
Editorial reports are also useful for writers who’ve been stuck on the first part of their manuscripts and I review what they have so far and help them consider where they could go. I ask them, in addition to their text, write up a short rough synopsis to send me, so I can see how they’ve laid the groundwork.
My Editorial Reports
The industry standard is 2000 words and this is what I normally quote people (usually more if the manuscript is over 100K words), but you will usually get 3000–3500 words from me. I can’t help myself! I love craft and literature.
I start out by introducing the report and what I think are the stronger points of your book, and then I dive right in to a ‘report’ section. After that, the remainder becomes tailored, but a lot of elements that I find myself writing about are main character journeys, believability/logistics issues, 50% have dialogue issues, other characters, pace and narrative. I always include a section to focus in on themes and elements to work on and a snapshot section, which is where I think the author should go from here (and also including some more of what’s working).
Additionally, I include target markets and recommended readings. The target markets are super useful for writers who are querying literary agents as this is required when writing cover/query letters and synopses. The recommended reading could be personally useful for the writer to look at but also comparable titles that I think the writer should look at in regard to composing a query letter. Literary agents like to see comp titles so they know where your book sits in the market. (I don’t necessarily offer this for incomplete manuscript assessments since I don’t have your full text to read.)
I need help!
What it’s not
There is so much information online about manuscript/editorial assessments and it can be confusing. Here are some quickies for what it’s not:
It does not include a copy edit or proofread
It’s not a line edit or developmental edit (but more on that in my next post!)
It’s not ghostwriting
Should I get a manuscript assessment for my novel?
Whether you’ve finished NaNoWriMo or have been writing for months, years, decades, I think having a professional evaluation is always a good idea. Having your friends and family give objective feedback can be tough and disingenuous. But I do understand that reaching out to an editor can be a little scary (ok, maybe way scary) and also a commitment.
I’m happy to hear about you and your project with the strictest respect, care and confidentiality, and talk about what I can offer for you.