Manuscript Appraisal
We all need another pair of eyes to see our work occasionally. Even the best...
CreativeWritingMatters offers an objective, honest and constructive manuscript appraisal service. The following is a general overview.
In approximately 2,500 words we will give feedback on the following:
Genre/category/market – what kind of novel are you writing?
Tone – light, serious, comic, dramatic, literary, inspirational, satirical, tragic, other? Tone consistent throughout the story?
Big Question(s) – what is your novel about in a nutshell? Do you have a message?
Length of Novel – appropriate for genre/category/market?
Target Readership – how will you appeal to and engage with your readers?
Structure/plotting – where/how/when will you begin the story? Where/when/how will you end the story? What does the reader need to know, at what point(s) in the story? Narrative arc. Set up and pay back. Is it a compelling story? Are there plot holes? Does the story wander? Hook? Inciting incident? Satisfying conclusion? Does every scene play a part?
Narrative Viewpoints – whose, how many, first/second/third person? Unplanned POV changes? Tense? Whose hand do you want the reader to hold throughout the story? Whose story is it?
Characters – do they go on a journey? Do they learn anything about themselves/the world/other people? Are they engaging? Will the reader want to spend time with them. Too many characters? Do we feel emotionally invested in them?
Dialogue – is there enough of it, and is it used effectively?
Subject/research – do you know enough about your subject and the background of the story?
Setting – does it work with the story? Using it as another character.
Style/language – Does your writing reflect your story? Are you consistent? What fresh perspective do you bring to the story?
Please send an initial enquiry by filling in the contact form below. If we can help, we will ask you to Email your work to us, with a covering notes to include brief information about what sort of manuscript you are submitting (e.g. romance, literary, fantasy, crime), something about yourself and your writing journey, any achievements or publications. Please let us know if you have any specific concerns about your work, or any areas you particularly want to address.
Appraisals usually take 2 - 3 weeks for short stories and 4 -6 weeks for longer manuscripts. Scroll down for fees and terms.
In approximately 2,500 words we will give feedback on the following:
Genre/category/market – what kind of novel are you writing?
Tone – light, serious, comic, dramatic, literary, inspirational, satirical, tragic, other? Tone consistent throughout the story?
Big Question(s) – what is your novel about in a nutshell? Do you have a message?
Length of Novel – appropriate for genre/category/market?
Target Readership – how will you appeal to and engage with your readers?
Structure/plotting – where/how/when will you begin the story? Where/when/how will you end the story? What does the reader need to know, at what point(s) in the story? Narrative arc. Set up and pay back. Is it a compelling story? Are there plot holes? Does the story wander? Hook? Inciting incident? Satisfying conclusion? Does every scene play a part?
Narrative Viewpoints – whose, how many, first/second/third person? Unplanned POV changes? Tense? Whose hand do you want the reader to hold throughout the story? Whose story is it?
Characters – do they go on a journey? Do they learn anything about themselves/the world/other people? Are they engaging? Will the reader want to spend time with them. Too many characters? Do we feel emotionally invested in them?
Dialogue – is there enough of it, and is it used effectively?
Subject/research – do you know enough about your subject and the background of the story?
Setting – does it work with the story? Using it as another character.
Style/language – Does your writing reflect your story? Are you consistent? What fresh perspective do you bring to the story?
Please send an initial enquiry by filling in the contact form below. If we can help, we will ask you to Email your work to us, with a covering notes to include brief information about what sort of manuscript you are submitting (e.g. romance, literary, fantasy, crime), something about yourself and your writing journey, any achievements or publications. Please let us know if you have any specific concerns about your work, or any areas you particularly want to address.
Appraisals usually take 2 - 3 weeks for short stories and 4 -6 weeks for longer manuscripts. Scroll down for fees and terms.
'Thank you for your excellent and detailed appraisal. I agree with almost every word of it! I have learned a lot and will be doing some editing.' Adrian Perkins
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FeesShort Stories - £50
up to 3000 words. £5.00 per extra 1000 words Novel - £200 First three chapters (or ten thousand words) and synopsis Complete novel with synopsis - £500 (fee to be discussed if your mss is longer than 90,000 words) |