Editorial Assessment

Description

Strategic feedback on your manuscript, organized around the 10 questions that matter most.

Before you invest in copyediting, formatting, or a cover, you need to know one thing: Is the manuscript itself ready?

The Editorial Assessment is a close, structured read of your complete manuscript, evaluated across ten specific craft categories—the core questions editors and agents consider when assessing a story. You’ll receive honest, specific feedback on what’s working, what needs revision, and whether your manuscript is ready to move forward or needs another pass first.

This isn’t a line edit, and it isn’t a review of your finished publishing package. It’s an early-stage diagnostic—completed before you publish—so you can revise with clarity instead of guessing at what isn’t landing.

Looking for a final pre-publication check of your complete publishing package—including your manuscript, cover, and listing—instead? Explore the Publish Without Regret Review.

The 10-Question Framework

Every Editorial Assessment addresses the same ten categories, giving you a complete and consistent picture of your manuscript’s strengths and revision needs.

Plot & Structure: Does the story arc hold together? Do subplots support the main story and resolve appropriately? Are the stakes clear and escalating from beginning to end?

Point of View: Is the point of view consistent and purposeful? Does it serve the story, or create confusion or unwanted distance from the reader?

Characterization: Are the characters distinct, motivated, and believable? Do they grow or change in ways that feel earned?

Dialogue: Does each character sound like themselves? Does the dialogue move the story forward, or does it rely too heavily on exposition?

Conflict & Pacing: Is there enough tension to keep readers turning pages? Where does the manuscript drag, and where does it rush?

Hooks & Transitions: Do chapter openings and endings pull readers forward? Are scene, location, and time transitions clear and smooth?

Description & Setting: Is the world or setting vivid without overwhelming the story? Is the balance between showing and telling effective?

Voice & Tone: Is the voice consistent and distinct throughout? Does the tone align with the story and the expectations of its genre?

Mechanics: Are there recurring grammar, clarity, or consistency problems that should be addressed before deeper editing? This is a high-level evaluation of patterns, not a line edit or proofread.

Market Appeal: Does the manuscript align with the conventions and reader expectations of its genre? Is it positioned clearly for its intended readership?

This Service Includes

• A complete read of one full manuscript
• Evaluation across all ten Editorial Assessment categories
• Identification of the manuscript’s primary strengths and revision needs
• Specific examples drawn from the manuscript
• High-level identification of recurring grammar, clarity, and consistency concerns
• Assessment of genre alignment and reader expectations
• A prioritized revision plan so you know what to address first
• A bottom-line recommendation based on your intended next step: querying, copyediting, or preparing for self-publication
• A professionally formatted written editorial report delivered as a PDF

Comments and corrections are not inserted throughout the manuscript. This service provides a comprehensive editorial report rather than a marked-up manuscript.

What You Will Submit

After purchase, you will be asked to provide:

• Your complete manuscript
• The manuscript’s current word count
• Its genre and subgenre
• Its intended readership
• A brief synopsis
• Your intended publishing path
• Two or three comparable titles, if known
• Any particular concerns you would like considered during the assessment

The assessment covers one version of one manuscript.

What You Will Receive

You will receive a detailed editorial report addressing all ten categories, with specific examples from your manuscript, honest feedback on what is already working, and clear, prioritized recommendations for revision.

The report will also provide a bottom-line assessment of where the manuscript currently stands:

• Ready to begin copyediting
• Ready to begin preparing query materials
• Ready to move toward self-publication
• Another substantive revision is recommended before moving forward

The recommendation will be based on the publishing goal you identify when submitting your manuscript.

About the Market Appeal Assessment

Market Appeal considers whether the manuscript aligns with the conventions, reader expectations, and positioning of its stated genre. When comparable titles are provided, they may be considered as part of that evaluation.

This is not formal market research and does not guarantee representation, publication, sales, reviews, or rankings.

This Service Does Not Include

• A complete manuscript proofread
• Developmental, structural, line, or copyediting
• Comments or corrections inserted throughout the manuscript
• Rewriting of manuscript content
• Query letter or synopsis review
• Fact-checking
• Sensitivity or authenticity reading
• Interior formatting or cover design
• Review of a completed publishing package
• Uploading files to a publishing platform
• Marketing campaign development
• A second assessment after revision
• Review of multiple manuscript versions or editions
• Guaranteed representation, publication, sales, reviews, or rankings

This is a professional manuscript assessment and revision plan. It is not a page-by-page manuscript edit. When your manuscript is ready for hands-on editorial or production support, explore Lioness Press services for copyediting, proofreading, and book formatting.

Pricing

Pricing is based on manuscript length, since longer manuscripts require more time to read closely and assess.

Up to 50,000 words: $499
50,001–75,000 words: $649
75,001–100,000 words: $799
Over 100,000 words: Contact Lioness Press for a custom quote

Unusually complex manuscripts or supporting materials may require a custom quote before work begins.

Word-Count Policy

Pricing is based on the manuscript’s word count as shown in Microsoft Word. If the submitted manuscript falls into a different pricing tier, any additional balance or applicable refund will be handled before the assessment begins.

PDF submissions must include an accurate word count verified in Microsoft Word or the program in which the manuscript was created.

Turnaround

Standard delivery: 4 to 6 weeks

Turnaround begins after all requested materials have been received. Rush options may be available by inquiry.

Accepted File Types

• Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx)
• Text-searchable PDF

Microsoft Word is the preferred submission format.

After Purchase

Once your order is complete, you’ll receive an email with instructions for submitting your manuscript and supporting information.