manuscript assessment

Sarah Endacott's manuscript assessment deliverable is a careful, detailed report on all aspects of your piece of writing. It discusses style, character development, scene effectiveness, visual acuity, the demands of genre, plot techniques, point of view, structure and any other matters particular to your work.

The most common reason writers say they want an assessment is: “I want to know how I’m going”. Even experienced writers need an independent person to tell them whether their work is good enough for publication. The report writer has no emotional ties to you or your “masterpiece” — and for many people, outside advice is the only way they will move beyond their draft towards publication.

A report can help you answer these sorts of questions about your writing: Is it achieving what it intends to achieve? How does it compare to other, published pieces of the same kind? Does it grab the reader? Are the elements incorporated successfully? Is it “new” or does it feel boring and familiar? Is the writing well crafted and elegant? Do the pictures help? What about the self-help exercises, graphs and charts? Is the scene and setting effective? Is it a good story? Are the characters interesting? Are the examples relevant? Will children like it? Will anyone?

Your manuscript will be assessed by a reader with at least ten years experience in writing, editing and publishing. Often two or more people discuss each piece and compare notes.

Your assessment includes the first chapter or first few pages marked up by a professional editor. This helps you to understand the editing process, identify where your grammar and spelling need improvement, and learn from corrections.

You will also receive a “Useful Materials for Writers” package with your assessment, which includes: contact details for agents and publishers; lists of potential markets and publications; spelling, punctuation and grammar guides; information on submitting to a publisher; how to write a cover letter; and how to write a synopsis.

The manuscript assessment cost is based on the number of words in the story. Please email Sarah Endacott for a quotation.