At its core, a manuscript assessment answers one practical question: Where should you focus your revisions first?
A manuscript assessment is designed for authors who have completed a draft but aren't sure what deserves their attention next.
Rather than providing a full editorial breakdown, this service offers a high-level professional evaluation of your manuscript, helping you identify the three or four revisions that will have the greatest impact before investing in deeper editing or beginning another revision pass.
Think of it as a roadmap for prioritizing your revisions—not a comprehensive diagnosis of every issue within the manuscript.
Unlike a developmental edit, a manuscript assessment doesn't examine every chapter or scene in detail. Instead, it identifies the biggest patterns affecting your manuscript and helps you determine where your time and energy will be best spent during revision.
Starting at $495 USD (final quote based on manuscript length).
What you'll receive:
This service does NOT include:
Best suited for authors who:
A note: Many authors use a manuscript assessment as the bridge between a finished first draft and deeper revision.
If your assessment leaves you knowing what needs attention but unsure how to tackle those revisions, a Story Strategy Session can help you work through individual challenges. If you're ready for a comprehensive editorial roadmap across the entire manuscript, a Developmental Edit is likely your next step.
“Alexa is a rare gem in the editing world. Trusting her with my YA fantasy novel felt like a welcomed hug throughout the process, which then turned into an incredibly encouraging push toward the publishing journey. Nearly one hundred thousand words were combed through with Alexa’s obvious talent and care. From the first meeting, she understood the meaning behind this book, and with remarkable integrity, carried that in her work. I am beyond grateful, and cannot wait for her to care for my future projects like a mother for a child, a surgeon for a heart, or a talented editor for a literary dream.”
Author of Agnes and the Locket of Secrets, a YA fantasy novel
Pricing is in US dollars and is subject to change. Manuscript length and complexity can lead to additional charges. We will always contact you before proceeding in such cases.
We do not accept manuscripts with a poor mastery of the English language. If you are unsure, please send us the first chapter of your work. Any misrepresentation of the complexity of your novel will lead to your order being cancelled.
Unless otherwise specified on your invoice, turnaround for the majority of our packages is 3-4 weeks. We can accommodate urgent requests, but there will be an additional rush fee. Please contact us in advance.