Manuscript Evaluation

All Manuscript evaluations begin with a sample evaluation. Please send your first ten pages, your word count, and a brief description of your publishing goals and writing experience with your request. 

“My lists of thanks is endless. But one last gratitude I have to offer is for your straightforward advice. As I have been reworking different chapters I cannot reist the urge to compare. When I do I find a much smoother and more professional read, something I was unable to achieve before your edit. At the risk of using an overused word, THANK YOU!”

-Jodi

Your manuscript evaluation is the most important book review you’ll ever read.

Based on the Reader’s Reports used by literary agencies to summarize and assess a manuscript’s potential, usually only seen by authors who receive an offer of representation, evaluation reports include detailed criticism, comments, and suggestions. Writers become aware of the nuances of their readership, the publisher’s likely perception of the manuscript, and the book’s strengths and weaknesses. More than a diagnosis, evaluations are in-depth, holistic prescriptive reports detailing improvements and revisions that will help you stand out from the pack and avoid the slush pile.

Writers are equipped with a thorough analysis of their manuscript and its marketability, as well as advice and suggestions that can make the difference between a manuscript and a bestselling book.

How does it work?

I specialize in full manuscript evaluations, which include an evaluation report (generally about ten pages in length) detailing problem spots, tips and tricks for dealing with those problems, and suggestions for improving the structure of the manuscript, character development, plot/subplots, voice, marketability, and everything in between. Once I complete the report, I will also send you the fully-marked hard copy of your manuscript so you can see exactly where each issue is on the page, plus see all the picky-points (grammatical issues, Watch Words, overused phrases, etc.) that don’t make it into the final evaluation.

I read the full manuscript in hard copy form twice—the first time as a “reader” (in other words, I put my red pen away, sit on my hands, and just immerse myself in the story)—and then a second time as an editor, marking the pages as I go.

After that, I stay involved as long as you want me to be. From the time we start the project until well after we are finished, I’m available to my clients via e-mail  to answer any questions or concerns. I do not charge anything above and beyond the initial evaluation fee for any of this (unless, of course, we get to a point where significant copy editing or a second evaluation is needed), and I encourage my clients to bounce ideas off of me, ask for advice, or even e-mail me to vent about the frustrations of rewrites (I have a few tricks up my sleeve for plowing through that).

What do I get?

• A fully marked hardy copy of your manuscript. This includes a thorough copy edit. Digital mark-ups are also available (and are often preferable for international clients).
• A 5-10 page evaluation report, as described above.
• Access to yours truly as you work your way from manuscript to published book.

How long does it take?

Typically, a full evaluation takes 3-5 weeks, depending on the length of the manuscript and the level of editing required.

For more information, please contact me at editor@murdockediting.com.