I've Finished Writing, Now What? The Importance of Manuscript Evaluation

If you're an aspiring author or a seasoned writer, you might have heard the term “manuscript evaluation” floating around. But what does it mean, and why should you consider it for your manuscript? Let’s break it down.

So, what exactly is a manuscript evaluation?

Imagine you’ve just completed a draft of your novel. You’re proud of it, but you’re also wondering: “Is my writing good? What now?” A manuscript evaluation can help answer these burning questions.

It’s a thorough assessment that provides you with an analysis of your manuscript’s strengths and areas for improvement. Think of it as a writing report card that evaluates what works and what doesn't while guiding you on what steps to take next.

Taking the time to get a manuscript evaluation before diving into the editing phase is a smart move. It ensures you are not wasting time or money on unnecessary editing. For example, you might not need a developmental edit if your book already has a great structure and perfect pacing. By identifying what’s truly needed early on, a manuscript evaluation can save you both time and potentially thousands of dollars.

Here’s what Ink & Ivy Press includes in a Manuscript Evaluation:

Summary Review:

• Overall Impression: First, you'll get an overview of how your manuscript is shaping up. This includes what’s working well and what could use a bit of tweaking.

Feedback Letter:

• Recommendations: You’ll receive a letter with detailed feedback. This will include suggestions on what type of editing you might need, whether developmental (big-picture changes) or line editing (sentence-level tweaks).

Editor Connection:

• Genre-Specific Editor: If you decide you want further help, our manuscript evaluation includes an introduction to an experienced editor who specializes in your genre. This can be invaluable for more targeted, in-depth editing.

Understanding the Editing Phases

Once you have your manuscript evaluation, it’s helpful to understand the different types of editing that might follow:

• Developmental Editing: This stage tackles your manuscript's “bigger picture” aspects. A developmental editor focuses on fixing plot holes, developing characters, and adjusting pacing. It’s about ensuring your story flows well and resonates with readers. After developmental editing, a copyedit is often recommended to refine the changes.

• Copyediting: Also known as line editing, this phase polishes your writing at the sentence level. A copyeditor ensures your paragraphs and sentences flow well, maintains your unique voice, and checks for consistency. During a copyedit, they won’t make major changes but will fine-tune sentence structure, word choice, and punctuation.

• Proofreading: The final stage before publication, proofreading is about catching any remaining typos, grammatical errors, or formatting issues. Proofreaders assume your manuscript is nearly ready to publish and won’t suggest any major changes. Proofreading ensures that your manuscript is clean and professional.

Conducting a manuscript evaluation before the editing process is a wise decision that can save you both time and money. By receiving the initial feedback on your writing you will set yourself up for the next step in the editing process. Whether you need developmental editing, copyediting, or proofreading, each stage will help your writing stand out and connect with readers.