A manuscript evaluation explores a manuscript’s themes, story goals, conflicts and structure, character arcs, pacing, point of view, and dialogue to help you develop your project to the fullest. This isn’t a line-by-line edit (for that, see stylistic editing)—it’s a big-picture overview of how your story is working and how you can take it to the next level.
This service is for writers at all levels of experience, including emerging writers, self-published writers, and writers with one or more books published by a traditional publishing house. It’s also for manuscripts at any level of development, whether it be an early draft or one you’ve worked on for ten years.
How it works
You can either fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page or email me directly at grahamadk@outlook.com. Make sure to include the following information:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Your manuscript’s word count
- A brief description of your project and your goals for it
I’ll contact you within a day to schedule the manuscript evaluation, at which point you send your manuscript and payment.
Depending on manuscript length, you can expect three to five pages of notes on your project within a month of submission. You’re also welcome to send up to ten questions regarding the project, such as “Is there enough conflict to keep the reader interested?”, “Does the pacing lag or move too quickly?”, “Is the ending satisfying?”, etc.
Manuscripts must be submitted as a single Word document, in 12-point Times New Roman, double-spaced.
When
You can book a manuscript evaluation at any time.
Cost
All prices are in CAD.
- On short stories or projects under 5000 words, the cost is $125 plus GST
- On long stories or projects under 20 000 words, the cost is $400 plus GST
- On novellas or projects under 40 000 words, the cost is $800 plus GST
- On novels or projects under 80 000 words, the cost is $1200 plus GST
- On long novels or projects under 100 000 words, the cost is $1600 plus GST
- On projects over 100 000 words, the cost is $0.016 per word plus GST
Payment is through e-transfer (preferred) or PayPal.
Grants for writers can often be used for professional development, including this manuscript evaluation. Check out the Canada Council for the Arts and provincial arts councils to see if this funding is a possibility for you.
Not ready for a manuscript evaluation? Consider the more affordable beta reading service, offering feedback from a reader’s perspective.
Commitment not to use AI
I offer real, authentic, handmade editing. At no point do I use AI to write or research for the evaluation, nor will I use it to summarize or edit your manuscript in any way. Everything you receive is 100% human-written, drawn from my 100% human reading of your 100% human story.
Contact
You can contact me at grahamadk@outlook.com or through the form below.