Manuscript Assessments

“Isabel’s editorial input was astute: she read extremely carefully the draft manuscript before being in touch with me about the places where she felt changes would benefit the novel. She was always considerate and precise in her communication during the editorial process. Her suggestions respected the intentions of the writing, and the artistic criteria I’d set. They also greatly improved the quality of the book. Her attention to process and detail was superb.”
— Katri Skala, novelist, literary fiction
“Isabel has a very good instinct for the aesthetic quality of a finished book and I trust her judgements. [She] knows when a spread is done and when to push for more.”
— Anita Joice, children's book illustrator

Manuscript assessments are editorial reports providing feedback on the overall strengths and weaknesses of a manuscript with suggestions for its improvement. If you’d like professional, constructive feedback on how to get your manuscript into the best possible shape before passing it on to a publisher, agent or prior to self-publishing, a manuscript assessment could be for you. I work with fiction and non-fiction for adults and children including picture books.

You will receive a written editorial report providing guidance, as relevant, on:

  • Structure, character, pace, language, rhythm, age-appropriateness/target audience

  • Voice and tone

  • Plot/structure

  • Practical steps forward for self-editing

  • Developmental advice - using specific examples to illustrate how changes might be applied to particular sentences or sections of the text

  • Marketing potential

Fiction & Non-Fiction for Adults

I work with all genres of fiction. I have a particular interest and background in literary fiction. The non-fiction areas I work with are: memoir, self-help, spirituality & therapy.

Fees

Picture books (1-2): £200
Picture books (3-4): £300

Manuscripts up to 15,000 words: £500
Manuscripts: 15,001 - 30,000 words: £750

Manuscripts: 30,001 - 60,000 words: £900

Children’s Books

I work with children’s picture books, books for 7-11 year-olds and young adults (12+). I have a particular interest in illustration & will include editorial input on images as required.

Illustration © Deborah Brown

Turn Around Times

Manuscript assessments are normally provided within a month of submission (sometimes earlier depending on the size of the manuscript).