Manuscript Diagnostic for Authors
A focused assessment for authors who know a story has a problem but are not sure what is causing it.
Something is not working. What is it?
Authors who can feel that something is off but cannot yet put their finger on the cause.
WHAT WE LOOK AT- Where the reading starts to drag or become unclear
- Story structure, cause and effect, and pacing
- Character choices, motivation and arcs
- Continuity, information and payoffs
- The difference between a surface symptom and the larger problem
- Focused manuscript assessment
- Specific examples from the story
- Pattern and problem analysis
- Priorities for revision
- Recommendation for the next stage of work
- Full-manuscript rewriting
- A replacement for a full editing service
- Proofreading or sentence-level correction unless separately agreed
We start with what happened while we were reading.
Where did we lean in, hesitate, get confused or lose interest?
What scene, line, choice or piece of information caused that reaction?
Was it one rough spot, or does the same thing happen elsewhere?
We look past the symptom and consider the story, character, pacing or prose issue underneath it.
Which problem is worth tackling first, and which can wait?
You decide what stays and what changes. Our job is to give you a clear second opinion.
Make sure you are getting the kind of help you actually need.
If the manuscript is still changing, a reader may be more useful than an editor. If something feels wrong but you cannot find the cause, an assessment may be the better starting point. If the story is settled and the prose is the concern, line or copy editing may make more sense.
Compare all services →Other services that may fit.
Before you send the manuscript.
Who is Manuscript Diagnostic for?+
Authors who can feel that something is off but cannot yet put their finger on the cause.
What will I receive?+
Focused manuscript assessment, Specific examples from the story, Pattern and problem analysis, Priorities for revision, Recommendation for the next stage of work.
What is not included?+
Full-manuscript rewriting, A replacement for a full editing service, Proofreading or sentence-level correction unless separately agreed.
What if I am not sure this is the right service?+
You do not need to know the service name. Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We can help you work out what kind of help makes sense.
Need help working out the scope?
Send a sample and tell us what is bothering you. We will help you work out what makes sense before you commit to a larger project.
Tell Us What's Not Working