Manuscript Appraisals
Manuscript appraisals are the natural first step in receiving objective, professional input about your manuscript.
An appraisal gives you a clear understanding of your manuscript's strengths and the areas that require development,
using specific examples to illuminate the path toward unlocking its full potential.
We offer two types of appraisal:
General Appraisal
Focused Appraisal
Once you have your appraisal in hand, you'll have a much clearer picture of where your manuscript stands — and whether professional editing is the right next step for you on your path to publication.
Our Appraisal services …
Appraisals
Appraisals offer a broad overall look at your manuscript, outlining its strengths and weaknesses – provided in the form of a report. The report will include a critique specific to your manuscript in relation to areas such as narrative development, plot, voice, tone, writing style, characterisation etc. It will provide an overview of where your manuscript’s strengths lie and where work is required. An appraisal does not include manuscript mark ups, all comments and notes will be included in the report.
Focused Appraisals
This is the same as an appraisal, with the addition of in-manuscript comments (and possibly a few edits). These notes are not comprehensive like a structural edit but will provide an additional layer of feedback and guidance for the author to use in the development of their work. The comments will be responses to your manuscript as the editor reads through your work, rather than offering editorial solutions.
Partially Completed Manuscripts
For authors who have completed a percentage of their manuscript but seek additional guidance before proceeding, we offer ‘Partial Completion’ appraisal reports also.
If you would like to know more, please reach and we can have a chat
How we work …
We always read your manuscript in full and will write up the initial appraisal ‘cold’ — this means we like to read your manuscript without first reading the cover letter and synopsis, or knowing too much about you or your manuscript. This allows us to approach each manuscript as objectively as possible.
Our appraisal reports span a minimum of four pages. All feedback is consolidated within the report (unless you’re submitting for a focused appraisal). For detailed page-by-page notes, you may consider opting for our editorial services.
Each manuscript is unique and , as such, our appraisals are tailored to your manuscript
so that we can provide comprehensive and relevant feedback specific to your work.
Appraisal reports are intended to assist you in self-editing and rewriting/further development, rather than promote your work.
We strive to deliver your appraisal within 4-6 weeks.
Who are our Appraisers?
Our appraisal team are professionals with a vast experience in the publishing industry and in the wider book industry. We have editors who specialise in a number of different genres — this means we should have someone who will suit your manuscript genre and style.
Find out more about our team on our About page.
What do appraisals cost?
You can find out more about appraisal fees and charges on our fees page.
We look forward to working with you and your manuscript to help guide you to your next phase of writing and/or publishing. We are here and happy to help answer any questions you may have.
what are the next steps?
We would love to work with you, so if you’re interested in having your manuscript appraised please feel free to shoot us an email to start the conversation or follow the submission guidelines on our How to Submit page.
