You’ve finished your novel. You’ve revised it. You’ve read it so many times the words have stopped making sense. But is it ready?
A manuscript assessment from The Writing Consultancy gives you something no amount of rereading — or AI editing — can provide: an objective, expert reader’s response to your work, from someone who understands both the craft of fiction and what the publishing industry is actually looking for.
What is a manuscript assessment?
A manuscript assessment (sometimes called a manuscript appraisal, structural report, or editorial critique) is a detailed professional evaluation of your novel. It looks at the big picture — structure, pacing, characterisation, voice, plot logic, and commercial viability — and gives you clear, actionable feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and what your next steps should be.
It is not proofreading. It is not line editing. It is the kind of honest, informed editorial conversation that can transform a good manuscript into a publishable one.
What does our manuscript assessment include?
Every assessment from The Writing Consultancy includes a detailed written report covering:
- Overall structure and narrative arc
- Pacing and chapter-by-chapter momentum
- Character development and believability
- Dialogue and voice
- Opening chapters and their ability to hook an agent or reader
- Ending and resolution
- Commercial positioning — where does your novel sit in the market?
- Clear recommendations for revision
We also provide annotated notes directly on your manuscript, so you can see exactly where and why specific feedback applies.
Why choose a professional manuscript assessment over AI?
AI tools can improve your sentences. They can catch inconsistencies, smooth your prose, and polish your grammar. What they cannot do is tell you whether your story works.
A structural problem — a protagonist readers won’t root for, a pace that loses momentum at chapter eight, an ending that doesn’t earn its resolution — won’t be fixed by better sentences. These are judgment calls that require a human reader with genuine literary expertise and an understanding of what agents and publishers are responding to right now.
That is what we offer.
Who is a manuscript assessment for?
Our manuscript assessment service is for fiction writers who:
- Have completed a full draft and want to know honestly where it stands
- Are preparing to submit to literary agents and want to maximise their chances
- Have received rejections and want to understand why
- Have used AI editing tools and want a genuine human editorial perspective
- Are self-publishing and want their novel to be the best it can be before it reaches readers
How long does it take?
We aim to return assessments within four to six weeks. If you have a specific deadline — a submission window, a competition, a publishing timeline — please mention this when you request a quote and we will do our best to accommodate you.
Ready to take the next step?
Request a quote below or get in touch to discuss your manuscript. Every author we work with receives a personal conversation with Keirsten before we begin, so we can make sure you get exactly the right service for where you are in your writing journey.