Manuscript Evaluation

Let's work together to turn your draft into a story you're proud of.

“James is one of the best editors I've ever worked with. He is insightful and has a talent for pin-pointing issues you may be too close to see yourself. He'll make you work for it, but by the time you're done, he'll have helped you craft the best version of your manuscript."

– Brandon Barrows (The Castle-Town Tragedy)

Does this sound familiar? You finished your manuscript and then...

Your beta readers gave you input but it’s vague and sometimes contradictory... now you’re not sure what to do.
You sent the novel to agents but their replies have only been rejections.
The influencers you follow online suggest you should self-edit your manuscript and publish ASAP, but you’re not sure exactly how to do it yourself.
You self-published your novel but quickly removed it after you received several bad reviews.
You’ve grown nervous and uncertain about the story that once felt so magical... now, instead of finishing the story, you’re thinking about shelving it and starting something new.

You're not alone

I get it. I’ve seen hundreds of writers struggle with what to do after they’ve “finished” their book. Hell, I’ve been there myself several times.

Many so-called influencers suggest you should be able to do it all yourself, that editing isn't as necessary as it once was, and that speed to market is more important than quality.

Meanwhile, there’s that nagging voice in the back of your head... the one suggesting you're not good enough and that you don't know what you're doing.

All of this noise makes the writing process feel so much more lonely and overwhelming than it needs to be.

But you know what? It’s all bullshit.

We all need help sometimes. We all need guidance and support. It’s just not something other writers admit to or talk about openly with others.

Instead of continuing to struggle, instead of listening to all those voices that aren’t helping, why not ask for help? Why not rely on someone who’s been there, someone with experience and expertise who can help you publish a book you’re proud of?

And since you’ve finished that first draft, all you need is a manuscript evaluation...

You’re ready for a manuscript evaluation if:

You’ve written a draft of your novel or comic. (If you’re struggling with how to finish, I work with incomplete manuscripts too.)
You know you’ve got a good story, maybe even a great one, but you’re not sure how to make it shine.
You’ve had friends and family read the book, and you’ve received positive feedback, but none of it’s actionable. What you need is someone to tell you how to fix it.
You’re tired of agents ignoring you, and you’re losing steam with the whole query process.
You’re revising the same scenes over and over... if nothing else, those chapters are great, but the book as a whole, well, you’re not so sure about that.
You wish you had the support you need to tackle the revision process.

Here's What You'll Get:

When we’re done discussing your story, you’ll know exactly how to tackle the rewriting and revision phases of your manuscript. You’ll have a clear understanding of the current state of your manuscript and a detailed roadmap for tackling your revisions.

Evaluation. An in-depth, written report that highlights what’s working (and how to incorporate more of it) and what’s not (and how to fix it). I look for potential problems with the premise and plot, pacing, tension, conflict and resolution, setting and world-building, characters and character growth, and whether or not the story meets the reader’s expectations associated with your genre.
In-Document Comments. I will occasionally leave comments within the manuscript to point out specific examples of what I mention in the report. However, this is not an in-line edit; the notes will be sporadic. These notes are designed to ensure you have a clear idea of exactly what I’m suggesting in the editorial report.
One 60-minute video conference or phone call. After you’ve had a chance to read and digest my feedback, we can meet to discuss my findings and next steps.
Plan. An action plan that is unique to you and your story. These next steps will give you a clear path as you move on to the rewriting and revision phase of your project.

This package does not include line editing, copy editing, or proofreading.

A manuscript evaluation is NOT a good fit for you if:

You write non-fiction or poetry. (I have edited various types of material, but I currently only edit genre fiction.)
You’re looking for help cleaning up the grammar, syntax, and spelling in your story. I do not provide copy editing or proofreading.
You struggle to accept constructive criticism about your writing.
You’re looking for a few generic comments similar to what you might expect from a beta reader, or you’re looking for someone to say you’re story is great as it is.
You are not willing to do rewrites based on the feedback you receive.

"I've worked with James several times now and my writing always comes out better for it. He's as important as a book's cover as far as I'm concerned."

– MJJ Jones (Point of Origin)

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I hear from you?
When you contact me, I try to respond within 48 hours. From there, I’ll likely set up a 30-minute discussion to see if we’re a good fit for one another. If we are, we can discuss a schedule in more detail.

How long does an evaluation take?
The turnaround time for an evaluation depends on the number of words in your manuscript. For most of my clients, an evaluation takes 2-5 weeks. When I have your manuscript, I’ll supply an estimated completion date before I get started.

Can you tell me a bit about the process?
After I receive payment and a copy of the manuscript, I read through your draft and start taking notes on what I find. I will occasionally leave comments in the manuscript to point out specific examples of what I mention in the report. That way, you have a clear idea of exactly what I’m suggesting. When I’m done reading and taking notes, I’ll compile my feedback and write up an in-depth report for you. After you’ve had a chance to read and digest my feedback, we can meet to discuss my findings and next steps.

Does the evaluation include in-line editing?
No. For more thorough, scene-by-scene editing, you’ll want a developmental edit. With manuscript evaluations, I focus on the big picture. Here, I look for potential problems with the premise and plot, pacing, tension, conflict and resolution, setting and world-building, characters and character growth, and other things along those lines.

What genres do you work with?
While I have edited all types of stories, right now I’m focused primarily on genre fiction. I specialize in horror, fantasy, science fiction, and crime/thriller stories (especially if they have a does of the paranormal.) I work in most age ranges: middle grade, young adult, and adult.

Do you edit comics? What about short stories?
I love working with comic creators, so yes, count me in if you’ve written a comic. I also edit short stories and novellas. And if all you have is a synopsis for a longer story or an outline, I can help with those, too.

How Much Does it Cost?

Pricing for manuscript evaluation is based on the length of your manuscript, starting at $0.02 per word.

Please note that I charge a little differently for comics. If you’ve written a comic script, please contact me for a custom quote.