MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT

Overview

The agency offers the Manuscript Assessment Service as well as the Manuscript Assessment with Substantive Editing Service. Both services are available to all writers wishing to improve their unpublished works.

The services are arranged via the agency but performed by professional readers associated with the agency and not by the agents themselves, and therefore must not be misconstrued with acceptance of the manuscript for the representation by the agency.

We accept manuscripts across all genres, from anywhere in the world. Whether you are a new author or have been previously published.

About Services

A. The Manuscript Assessment Service

This service aims to provide writers with an honest and market-aware opinion about their works.

Our reader will advise you on how to take your manuscript one step further in your quest to getting published. At each level of your writing, from story arc, to narrative voice, tone, pace, style and word choice, there are many aspects that could benefit from a professional editor’s suggestions. A manuscript assessment will highlight the weaker aspects of your writing style and offer suggestions on how to improve it. Our readers will advise you on key areas to look at and how to take your novel to the next level.

This programme offers:

The Manuscript Assessment Report

After reviewing and assessing your manuscript, our readers will provide you with a rigorous, practical Manuscript Assessment Report of 2,000 words. It will be a comprehensive evaluation of your manuscript. The report will give you constructive feedback on what's working and what's not – looking specifically at your novel’s plot, characterisation, narrative and quality of your writing style, as well as your book market placement.

B. The Manuscript Assessment with Substantive Editing Service

In addition to the Manuscript Assessment Services, we also offer a more comprehensive programme of the Manuscript Assessment with Substantive/Developmental Editing Service.

Substantive editing involves evaluating a manuscript for its content, not spelling and grammar. While the copyeditor receives the book after it has been written, a developmental editor is involved in the writing process. Developmental editing involves the development and organization of the book, the characters, the storyline, and the pace in which it is told.

Substantive editors evaluate the quality of a story, pointing out issues with its flow and character development, also doing some minor fact-checking. The developmental editor often suggests the order in which the chapters are presented, as well as the overall content, flow, and arrangement of text. Essentially, they provide the writer with advice and direction to improve the book.

The expertise of a development editor often means the difference between a mediocre book and an exceptional book. We recommend this service if you want your book to give you credibility, secure the services of an experienced book editor who will polish it and make your book the very best it can be.

In most cases, substantive editing involves fiction projects, but we also work with narrative non-fiction projects.

This programme offers the following services:

The Manuscript Assessment Report

Substantive/Developmental Editing of your work with text annotations, structural suggestions, and recommendations.

The review of your manuscript will involve the development and organization of your book, the plot structure, the characters development, the storyline, and the pace in which it is told. The developmental editor may often suggest the order in which the chapters are presented, as well as the overall content, flow, and arrangement of text. The reviewers will evaluate the quality of a story, pointing out issues with its flow and character development, also doing some minor fact-checking.

*Please note that substantive/developmental editing does not cover copyediting or proofreading services.

60 min consultation call with your substantive editor.

You will have an opportunity to discuss the assessment report and developmental feedback with your reader and editor.

Submission guideline

What to include in your submission:

1. Your covering letter which should include:

Your full name (and pseudonym if applicable).
Your postal address, telephone number, and email address.
Any details of past writing experience.
An estimated word count for your complete manuscript.

2. Synopsis and manuscript.

A synopsis is a brief overview, which can vary in length depending on the nature of your book, but generally, it should not exceed 500 words.

You will also need to include a copy of your full manuscript in the Word doc format.

Email your submission to: renata@redrockliteraryagency.com

We work with complete manuscripts only and would not be able to accept partial submissions.

The review process and report may take up to 6 weeks, depending on the length of your manuscript.

Pricing

Service A – Pricing Guide

The Manuscript Assessment Service (complete manuscripts only):

For works up to 50,000 words GBP 400* / Euro 450 / USD 520

For works above 50,000 and up 100,000 words GBP 550* / Euro 600 / USD 700

Works over 100,000 words are a little different, simply because they take the reader longer to read and report on.

For any extra words above 100,000, the charge is: £0.005* per word/ €0.006 per word / $0.007 per word

*Plus UK VAT

Service B – Pricing Guide

The Manuscript Assessment Service (complete manuscripts only):

For works up to 50,000 words GBP 400* / Euro 450 / USD 520

For works above 50,000 and up 100,000 words GBP 550* / Euro 600 / USD 700

For any extra words above 100,000, the charge is £0.005* per word/ €0.006 per word / 0.007 per word

*Plus UK VAT

The Manuscript Assessment with Substantive/Developmental Editing Service and 60 min consultation call with your reader/editor:

Rate per hour: GBP 35* / Euro 40 / USD 50

Pace: 3-5 pages per hour

*Plus UK VAT

We accept payments by bank transfer only (details will be on our invoice).

For more information about our services or to arrange a free quote, please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can contact us by sending an email to renata@redrockliteraryagency.com