Beta Reading

Manuscript Assessment

Feeling stuck in your story? We provide a high-level editorial evaluation that helps you identify patterns and prioritize your revisions before investing in deeper editing.

Is this service right for you?

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.

Our expertise, cost, and turnaround time

Genres:
Fantasy, romance (including paranormal), young adult (romance, dystopian, fantasy), and thrillers
Cost:

Starting at $495 USD (final quote based on manuscript length).

What you'll receive:

  • A complete read-through of the manuscript.
  • A 2–4 page assessment letter (not an editorial report) covering:
    • your manuscript's greatest strengths
    • the biggest obstacles preventing it from reaching its full potential
    • whether the opening is accomplishing its job
    • whether the overall structure feels fundamentally sound
    • the three or four revisions likely to have the greatest impact
    • whether you're ready for developmental editing or would benefit from another revision pass first
  • A 45-minute strategy call to discuss the assessment and next steps.

This service does NOT include:

  • chapter restructuring
  • scene-by-scene revision plans
  • emotional arc or scene mapping
  • developmental strategy
  • tracked changes

Best suited for authors who:

  • have completed a first draft
  • feel stuck about what to revise next
  • want professional direction before investing in a developmental edit
  • would like a clear revision roadmap without a scene-by-scene analysis

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.

Turnaround:
1-2 weeks (varies depending on novel length)

Quick Quote

Round up to nearest 1,000 words
Estimated Cost:
Estimated cost subject to change. You can request an official quote here.
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Do you need this?

Questions?

What authors say about us

“Invaluable Editing Expertise”

“Alexa makes the entire editing process comfortable. She’s like a long lost friend with invaluable editing expertise. Pricing is very competitive! I had reached out to various editing companies and overall Luna Imprints was the best option based on pricing, offerings, personality, & knowledge. Alexa helped me to improve my novel to a degree I never thought possible. I’m so thrilled with Alexa’s kindness, knowledge, and patience and I plan to hire Luna Imprints again for my next novel. No matter what level of editing you require, you need Alexa and her team!”

Connie Chyle Chyle

Author of Me & Eryn Carlo, Grace's Knitties, and Second Chance chick lit novels

IMPORTANT NOTICES
Pricing

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.

English Proficiency

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.

Turnaround

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.