Authors: What Is a Manuscript Evaluation? How Much Does It Cost? And Hiring an Editor
Is this manuscript any good? Am I on the right track? How can I write a better book? To make it appeal to my readers? To be able to confidently self-publish or find a publisher?
If you find yourself asking these questions, my author friend, you might just want to get a manuscript evaluation.
What is manuscript evaluation?
By definition, a manuscript evaluation is an editorial service that determines the strengths and weaknesses of a book manuscript—a full draft or a draft in progress.
It leads to a written report, with several pages of feedback on what’s working and what isn’t, and with suggestions for the author.
A manuscript evaluation takes into account the author’s audience and publishing goals as well as the professional experience of an objective editor who understands the industry and the genre of the book being written.
A manuscript evaluation is also known as manuscript assessment, manuscript appraisal, or editorial evaluation.
There is no universal formula for a manuscript evaluation, no report template all editors use.
Fiction and nonfiction manuscript assessments differ slightly.
Fiction manuscript evaluation
A fiction manuscript evaluation editor may look at the readability, narrative arc, imagery, character development, plot, pacing, tension, dialogue, voice, and pluses and minuses of the manuscript.
Fiction manuscript evaluation editors offer general and (some) specific suggestions for improvements, based on their knowledge and experience and the author’s target audience and publishing goals, and give insight on how to pitch the manuscript to publishers and readers.
Nonfiction manuscript evaluation
A nonfiction manuscript evaluation, which is the work I do, is a little different.
A nonfiction manuscript evaluation editor may look at the readability, the structure and organization of the book, the flow within and between chapters, the pacing, and the overall framing of the book.
An editor will also indicate where the author might cut and where the author might expand. The word counts of chapters and of the nonfiction book manuscript as a whole are subjected to scrutiny as well.
Nonfiction manuscript evaluation editors also offer general and (some) specific suggestions for improvements, based on their knowledge and experience and the author’s target audience and publishing goals, and give insight on how to pitch the manuscript to publishers and readers.
Manuscript evaluation editors do not copy edit or proofread your book, as it is not in its final stages.
But most do tell you, if, for example, your book is wordy or repetitive, if you are misusing punctuation or if your paragraphs are too long.
If you’re wondering “Do I need a manuscript evaluation?”
You may need a manuscript assessment if . . .
you’ve already written some or all of your manuscript, and you want the guidance of a seasoned editor.
you need insight on how to revise and self-edit your draft so it will better appeal to your target audience and/or to agents and editors.
you’ve had others read your book (maybe even other editors) and you’re getting surprising or conflicting feedback.
you’re concerned about your book’s organization, flow, pacing, or how well you keep the reader’s attention.
this is your first book.
you want help making your manuscript publication-worthy and marketable, and you don’t have the time or the money or the need for full-on developmental editing.
Are manuscript assessments worth it?
Yes, if you can fully articulate who your book is for and what your goals are for your manuscript.
Yes, if you find the right editor and if you’re generally open to feedback.
But there are reasons you might not want to hire a manuscript evaluator in the first place. Do not get a manuscript evaluation if . . .
you need developmental editing instead.
you can’t handle constructive critiques.
it’s too early on in your writing process, and there are still revisions you can make on your own.
you need copy editing instead—if grammar, punctuation, style, and syntax seem to be your major needs.
Manuscript evaluation vs. developmental editing
Some developmental editors do manuscript evaluation (and vice versa). But these two editorial services are not the same.
Manuscript evaluation offers more general and less in-depth feedback than a developmental edit.
A developmental edit takes longer. The final report is longer.
A developmental editor does more hand-holding and offers more specificity.
Developmental editing can start at the very beginning of the project. Manuscript evaluation does not.
Developmental editors almost always spend a good deal of time on the organization and structure or arc of the book.
A developmental editor may even rewrite chapter hooks or chapter titles, or make suggestions for interior artwork or images.
Rates for manuscript assessments are about a third less than that of developmental editing rates. In other words, manuscript evaluations cost 33 percent less than developmental edits.
(Click here to read about Developmental Editing or to see nonfiction developmental editing services for US authors.)
How much does an editorial evaluation (editorial assessment) cost?
Editors may charge by the word, by the hour, or, rarely, by the page.
Editorial evaluations cost at least $0.015 to $0.020 per word, depending on the genre and the editor’s experience.
For a 60,000-word book, expect to pay at least $900.
Or $40 or more per hour.
If that sounds expensive, you might submit a portion of your manuscript—several chapters, at first.
Feel out the editor. See if you’re getting helpful feedback. See if what you get gets you unstuck or helps you proceed with more confidence.
This approach gives you time to save up more money, too.
Fiction authors pay less than nonfiction authors, especially in the most popular genres.
Nonfiction authors—self-help and how-to books, biographies, and the like—pay more than fiction authors.
A manuscript evaluation for an academic or scientific book will cost the most—possibly more than $0.020 per word.
A children’s book, since it’s shorter overall, will cost, at minimum, a flat rate of $200 or 300.
You’ll have a manuscript ready for review (ready to send to an editor) when you can answer yes to the following questions.
Have you already self-edited to the best of your ability and cut any needless material?
Have you checked the spelling, grammar, and punctuation, and put your materials in a standard, double-spaced font?
Do you fully understand what you’re getting into?
Do you have a list of goals for the manuscript, a rough idea of what you’re hoping to achieve from this process, and particular areas of concern for the editor to look at?
Great! Now it’s time to find an editor.
How to find a manuscript evaluation editor and how to get the best manuscript evaluation
You’ll want to hire an editor who’s a sole proprietor, an editor who works for an agency, or an editor who works on a freelancer or editorial platform.
No, your spouse or relative is NOT the person to do a manuscript assessment, as they can’t possibly provide you with the objective feedback you need and that your book deserves.
And that’s what you need: objective feedback.
There are many ways to find a manuscript evaluation editor:
through referrals from other authors (word of mouth)
through online searches
finding them on social media (perhaps after first following them)
through an online listing, i.e., through a professional organization
Hiring a manuscript evaluation editor
Tell the editor (briefly) about your project, your current and expected word count, and anything specific you want them to evaluate.
Get a clear quote and a clear agreement on what’s included and what isn’t, whether or not you’ll be able to ask follow-up questions, and when the editor will start and finish your work.
If you hire a sole proprietor . . . get a contract and understand the payment structure.
If you use an editorial agency . . . the same goes. And make sure you’ll be able to pick your editor and ask follow-up questions if you’d like to. Not all agencies offer authors that option!
If you use a freelance site like Reedsy or Upwork . . . keep in mind that those platforms take a large portion of the fee for themselves; you may be paying too much or giving the author too little for their efforts. And sometimes you get what you pay for.
Because fiction and nonfiction manuscripts are different beasts, it’s best to hire an editor who focuses on one or the other.
The manuscript evaluation process
Once you’ve found your book editor, here’s what happens:
You agree on the work to be done, when, and how much, sign your contract, pay in full or pay a nonrefundable deposit, and transmit your materials.
Most editors will want to work from a Word document—one combined file. Some work with PDFs or Google Docs.
Your editor will take several weeks reading your manuscript and then will email your report of a few pages and possibly your manuscript with some edits on it.
You may also get a follow-up call as part of your editing agreement.
How long does a manuscript evaluation take?
The editing process takes about 4 weeks on average, but it depends on the length of the manuscript and the availability of the editor.
Manuscript evaluation / assessment / appraisal / editorial assessment, in summary
Manuscript assessment vs. manuscript evaluation vs. manuscript appraisal vs. editorial assessment
Same thing. These terms are used interchangeably.
Why get a manuscript assessment?
To get objective feedback from an editor who understands books and publishing, your genre, your audience, and your goals.
What’s the cost of a manuscript evaluation and how long does it take?
A manuscript assessment costs between $0.015 and $0.020 per word on average.
It takes a few weeks.
How to find an editor? How to have the best experience?
Hire a sole proprietor, someone from an editorial services company, or a freelancer with a larger freelance platform.
Use author referrals, online searches, social media connections, or editorial organizations. Ask questions.
If you’re a nonfiction author, hire a nonfiction editor. If you’re a novelist, hire a fiction editor.
Have specific goals for your manuscript evaluation and share those with your editor.
What’s the process?
Submit your file(s). Several weeks later you’ll get a written report and perhaps edited file(s) back. There may be a follow-up call or correspondence. Then you make edits and revisions on your own.
A final word on manuscript evaluation / assessment / appraisal
When you get a manuscript evaluation, you’re getting . . .
the insight of a pro who understands your type of book and who can weigh in on the strengths and weaknesses of the manuscript—its overall structure to elements such as character development (fiction), pacing, the clarity of the argument (nonfiction), and the organization and structure of the book.
A manuscript assessment helps you improve your manuscript and better pitch it to readers and/or publishers.
You may not want a manuscript evaluation if there’s still more self-editing you plan to do, if you can’t handle constructive criticism, if you really need a more in-depth edit or a more zoomed in line-by-line edit.
Once you find your editor and come to terms, it’ll take a few to several weeks and you’ll get a written report and possibly a follow-up conversation. You’ll know what to do to make your manuscript even better!
Hiring a manuscript evaluation editor might be for you!
Write your best book.
The book that readers will rave about and that will have you patting yourself on the back.
Get a manuscript evaluation.
(for US authors writing nonfiction books under 100,000 words)
You might also like these articles:
What is Copy Editing? / How Much Does Copy Editing Cost? (Typical Rates)
Developmental Editing for Nonfiction Books: A Guide for Authors
The Best Books on Getting Published: Learn How to Score a Publishing Deal
Get Your Book Published: 5 Reasons Authors Get Rejected & How to Get a Publishing Deal
You got this!