Tag: self-publishing

The Secret to Affordable Developmental Feedback - The Manuscript Assessment

The Secret to Affordable Developmental Feedback – The Manuscript Assessment

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Professional book editing can be pretty expensive. Perhaps you’ve researched standard rates, or have recently received a quote that’s outside your budget. Either way you’re probably feeling pretty frustrated and wondering if there’s a way to save on costs, without sacrificing on the quality of feedback.

I’m here to tell you there is! It’s called a manuscript assessment or manuscript evaluation – a detailed editorial letter summarizing developmental feedback (without in-line edits).

It’s hard to find an actual example of a manuscript assessment on the internet, but I’ve uploaded one (with my client’s permission) here! I’ll also go over:

  1. What is a manuscript assessment/evaluation?
  2. How a manuscript assessment differs from a developmental edit
  3. How much a manuscript assessment costs (compared to an edit)
  4. Is a manuscript assessment the right choice for you?
  5. Why don’t more authors know about manuscript assessments?

What is a manuscript assessment/evaluation?

A manuscript assessment is an 8-15 page editorial letter detailing developmental feedback on:

  • Characterization
  • Plot
  • Style
  • Pacing
  • Structure
  • Dialogue
  • Openings
  • Endings
  • Marketability
  • Recommendations for next edits
  • More!

Here is an example of a manuscript assessment which I completed on a speculative fiction novel, shared here with the author’s permission. The complete version I provided to the author was 15 pages, but I have redacted some content and blurred names to protect the author’s unpublished work.

Please note that my author-editor contract specifies that I cannot share any portion of an author’s manuscript or any sensitive details about their work (without permission), which is professional standard. This is why it is difficult to find examples of a manuscript assessment online, and perhaps why this service is not more commonly known by authors.

Sample Manuscript Assessment

Example Manuscript Assessment – Speculative Fiction NovelDownload

How a manuscript assessment differs from a developmental edit

A manuscript assessment does NOT include line-by-line edits and comments.

A developmental edit examines characterization, plot, structure and more through in-line comments and notations on the manuscript itself. An editor will include specific feedback throughout each chapter, sometimes even on every page (depending on how much work the writing needs).

As such, a developmental edit takes a lot more time, with much more detailed attention paid to each scene and portion of the manuscript.

A manuscript assessment summarizes the most significant feedback into a single document – saving the editor a lot of time!

How Much a Manuscript Assessment Costs (compared to an edit)

Because a manuscript assessment takes less time, editors can offer the service at much more affordable rates. Which is a huge win for authors!

A manuscript assessment usually costs half or less than half of a developmental edit, while still offering a significant amount of feedback.

The Editorial Freelancer’s Association compiles median editorial rates as self-reported by their members. Please note that since these are median rates, this means an equal number of editors charge above and below these amounts.

Median developmental editing rate for fiction: 3.0-4.0¢/word

Example project: a developmental edit on a 100,000 word fantasy manuscript would cost $3,000-4,000.

Median manuscript assessment rate: 1.5¢/word

Example project: a manuscript assessment for a 100,000 word fantasy manuscript would cost $1,500.

Our Book Editing Rates

If you are interested in working with Creative Cornerstones, my rates are $0.02/word for developmental editing and $0.007/word (a third the cost) for a manuscript assessment.

Example projects: a developmental edit on a 100,000 word fantasy manuscript would cost $2,000 and a manuscript assessment would cost $700.

Beware of excessively low editing rates

You may be thinking, “but it’d still be better to get a full developmental edit than a manuscript assessment. I could find someone online who will do a full edit for a lot less than $3-4K!”

That’s true. But beware of cutting costs too much, or you risk hiring someone whose feedback may actually do more harm than good.

I met a self-published author once who said she found someone on Fiverr to “professionally edit” her whole novel for only $200. That’s barely enough to cover, at a living hourly wage, the time it would take to read the full manuscript. This service may have functioned like a valuable beta read, but it was by no means a professional edit.

If you have to make the choice between hiring a hobbyist to complete a “full edit” and hiring a professional to complete a shorter task like a manuscript assessment, I would absolutely recommend the latter. You will gain more if a professional gives your book 20 hours of their time than if a novice gives your story 40 hours of their time.

Is a Manuscript Assessment the Right Choice for You?

Still, it’s not the right choice for everyone. Unless you are willing and able to put in significant work self-editing your novel, I would not recommend a manuscript evaluation.

A manuscript assessment is a great fit for:

  • Authors looking to traditionally publish their book who want to make their manuscript as competitive as possible before seeking representation.
  • Authors intending to self-publish their work who do not have the budget for a full developmental edit.
  • Authors who are confident self-editors, but are looking for a professional second opinion.
  • Newer writers who aren’t sure what their manuscript needs and are looking for detailed feedback that still affords room for significant rewriting.

I have worked with all of the above types of authors!

One of my author clients had been working on her story for over 10 years and had re-written it many times. She had reached a point of frustration – not ready to start on the sequel, and not confident enough to explore publication. She opted for a manuscript assessment almost as a way to receive writing coaching for her specific project.

Another of my clients is pursuing traditional publication, but he wanted to make his manuscript as strong as possible before querying agents since he understands how competitive the market is.

Why don’t more Authors know about manuscript assessments?

If manuscript assessments are so great, why is this the first you’re hearing of them?

Even after I started working in the publishing industry and was trained in the differences between developmental, line, and copy editing, I didn’t hear anyone talking about manuscript assessments.

I discovered the term quite by accident, and was astonished that it was not more widely known – because it is a perfect fit for authors looking to self-publish! Indie authors don’t have a huge budget, but still absolutely need to receive professional developmental feedback.

So many authors have reached out to me requesting a sample edit, gotten excited about moving forward, but then felt crushed when they heard my quote for a full edit. In such cases, I’m so glad to be able to suggest a manuscript assessment as an alternative!

I love books! I love authors! I want every writer to be able to afford professional feedback, even in a condensed form!

These authors go from crestfallen and overwhelmed, to delighted. So many have said, “I didn’t even know that was an option!” I feel frustrated on their behalf. The editorial industry has not done a good job of marketing this service.

How many self-published authors have inquired about professional editing, realized it exceeded their budget, and released their work without the benefit of any professional feedback?

I’m writing this article so you know there’s another option!

Yes, the best case scenario is to receive several rounds of editing on your work – developmental, line, copy editing, and proofreading. This is what traditional publishers do. Is this realistic for most indie authors? No. But it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Getting a manuscript assessment and incorporating the feedback in a final round of self-editing can massively improve your story!

If you’re an author, I’d certainly love to work with you on your manuscript, but I’m writing this article mostly to educate the writing community. I hope you go on to tell all your writer friends that there is such a thing as a manuscript assessment!

If you are serious about your author career, then your books are a business. Every business invests upfront in creating a top-quality product. Your book needs professional developmental feedback to maximize its potential. But that doesn’t have to be out of reach for you!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…

A split screen shows the portrait of a young brunette author on the left, and 2 rows of fantasy and sci-fi books on the right.

“Hope, Hope, Hope” – an Interview with Author Angela R. Watts

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By Caylah Coffeen

You have a packed release schedule through January! Will you tell us about your upcoming books?

I am very excited for this year’s publication schedule. I set a personal, fun goal of launching nine books, and that number allowed for any anthology acceptances.

So far, I’ve had five releases this year, and the upcoming launches are, in no particular order of actual release:

War of the Fallen, Rogue Survivors #1 (space opera)

Icarus is Burning, Rogue Survivors #2 (space opera)

Of Fallen Gods, Rogue Survivors #3 (space opera)

Up From the Ashes, Glory Epoch Books #1 (post-apocalyptic, a series continuation from my bestselling and award-nominated series, The Infidel Books)

How to Campaign Your Book: A Simple Guide for Authors (nonfiction)

I might have more releases this year, but we’ll see. I also have a very solid launch schedule for 2024, too! Next year, I have multiple middle grade and adult titles set for release.

What do you love most about your new stories that you’re excited to share with readers?

Hope.

Hope, hope, hope.

I write fiction that shows hardships, trials, pain, sorrow, etc, but throughout the insanity, there is hope. My stories are intended to encourage. Inspire. And I pray that they offer readers a good story, with a lot of comfort.

I’ve gone through a great deal in my life. I could have given up. I could have turned away from the light. I could have, I could have…

I try to write stories with characters that face absolute chaos, but still, in the end, overcome. They live. They love. They hope. They do not stop or give up. These are themes in my stories that I cannot stop sharing… because the world is bleak, and tired, and wicked, but we do not have to be.

“They live. They love. They hope. They do not stop or give up.”

I hope my readers are inspired to live, and love, and hope, and dream, after reading these stories.

Can you share a moment when you felt being an author was incredibly satisfying?

I’m not sure if I can pick one. I find immense joy in writing, and I also am grateful for every step of the process. I find satisfaction and joy when I write, when I finish a draft, when I edit, when I format, and so forth. There’s also satisfaction, even if a bit wearisome, when a story releases into the world.

I think the one part of being an author that is always incredibly satisfying is getting a box (or two) of my own books. The feeling has not gotten old yet!

Many people have heard that being an author is difficult. What has your mental health journey been like as you stepped into this role?

I’ve never been able to relate to that perspective, so I’ll answer, but hopefully, my answer is not perceived as frivolous.

I have written since I was too young to even write: I told stories, illustrated them, and my family actually wrote the words down. Since then, I’ve never stopped writing stories. I wrote a lot of short stories and poems as a little kid.

When I was a preteen and such, one of my older sisters began to abuse me more often. During this time, I turned to fiction as a true escape. I gobbled up books, discovered anime, and of course, continued to write my own stories. I wrote some original things, and a lot of fanfiction. Writing, during this time of pain and fear, was therapy for me. I finished my first novella at age twelve, and shortly after this, the abuse stopped when the sister left.

From there, I quickly discovered the world of self-publishing. I kept writing novels, publishing them, and the like. Over the years, I’ve found my own routine, and my own pacing that works for me. I understand my routine isn’t for everyone, but writing is like breathing to me, and I write pretty much nonstop. I usually write daily, in whatever capacity, and a steady pace helps me complete stories and enjoy myself.

I do not view writing as a stressful act. I do not suffer or complain my way through the author life. It’s simply a part of me. When trials come, I conquer them the best I can, etc. I think the most difficult parts of the journey have been 1) marketing and publications do put a lot of stress on me physically, so I’ve also found a pattern and routine for this, so it isn’t too overwhelming for me and 2) many topics I research and write about are heavy, and difficult to ponder for too long, so usually, when I finish one of those scenes, I’ll give myself time to step away to mentally rest.

Overall, above everything, I keep a very close relationship with God, and pray throughout every story, every draft, every launch, and the like. God gives me these stories to watch and write out. Without His guidance, I would not be here.

How has your relationship with God shaped your career as an author and vice versa?

I’ve been a Believer since I was very, very young, and I’ve never strayed from the Lord. I do not say this to brag, but as a very simple fact, because many Believers have boat-rocking testimonies, and I’ve never had any grand “come to Jesus meeting”. My life has been difficult, yes, with multiple family issues, abuse, health diagnosis, and more, but I have clung to God throughout it all.

As I mentioned, writing is a sort of therapy, and I work alongside the Lord through every story. So I would say my relationship with Christ has strengthened throughout my author journey. Through writing, I can tackle themes, questions, situations, etc, that I might not be able to handle, or even consider, without using fiction as the catalyst. God helps me work through questions, ideas, and much more, and in the end, not only have I drawn closer to Him in the process, but that story is also able to minister to another.

I’ve had suicidal readers tell me that my stories helped them hold on. I’ve had Believers tell me that my books opened their eyes, helped them with their mental health struggles, and strengthened their faith. I’ve also had people tell me that my books have helped them through their grieving process… Or that some of my books have made them laugh and see joy again.

I remember every message my readers send me, because it’s why I publish these books. I would write whether I published or not. But when I publish, it becomes about how the story can minister to others, and it is always encouraging to hear when my books help someone. To me, publishing is a way to minister, and serve, others, and give glory to the Lord.

Is there anything else you want to share with readers or aspiring authors (perhaps something you haven’t had a chance to share in interviews before, or a recent impactful moment)?

Recently, I’ve been discussing the hypocrisy of the author community with a dear friend.

I have seen many new authors chastened for writing a story “incorrectly”. I have seen many new authors shunned for newbie “mistakes”, or for differing opinions than the “in crowd”.

Authors insist that community is important… But we must remember, there is such a thing as the wrong community.

If you are a new, or seasoned, author, and are surrounding yourself with people, whether authors or readers, that do nothing but berate you — even when they insist it is to “help you” — step back.

The creative process should not be a true community effort. If voices are engulfing you, and throttling the story inside of you, step back. Do not let anyone change your soul, do not let anyone force you into a box.

Write, and create, at your own pace, with your own soul, and do not accept abuse in the name of “community.” The right, healthy, supportive community will come, but don’t accept any less beforehand. Your voice matters. Don’t let anyone stifle it. 

A young white woman with short, curly brown hair and blue eyes leans pensively against a stone wall wearing a puffy white blouse.

ANGELA R. WATTS is the bestselling and award-nominated author of The Infidel Books and the Remnant Trilogy. She’s been writing stories since she was little, and has over 28 works published. She also writes articles for a few magazines and publishers. When she’s not writing, Angela is a freelance editor, blogger, anime-lover, and artist. She lives in Tennessee with her family and many pets. Angela loves connecting with readers, and you can follow her on social media to stay up-to-date with releases, or contact her through her website.

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The Pros vs. Cons of Traditional, Indie, Hybrid, and Self-Publishing

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You’ve written a beautiful book. Now how do you publish it? What are your options? Here we’ll break down the pros and cons of the 4 main publishing routes: traditional, indie, self-published, and hybrid. This is just a starting point, so make sure to do your own research as well as you decide on your best fit.

The Pros and Cons of Traditional Publishing

What is traditional publishing?

A publishing house buys the rights to your book, completes all editing, design, and distribution work, and pays you royalties after they’ve made back their investment. 

Pros:

  • Prestige
  • A large, consistent, trusting reader base
  • You are paid an advance averaging $1K-15K
  • A higher likelihood of appearing in bookstores
  • You will have an agent – your agent will go to bat for you, ensuring your proposals are professional and catch attention, and negotiating the best possible legal agreements

Cons:

  • You no longer own the rights to your work
  • The publisher has the final say on design and edits
  • *Big publishers won’t select your book unless they think they can sell many 1000s of copies
  • You don’t receive any royalties until you earn back your advance
  • Royalties are small
    • 5-8% for paperbacks
    • 10-15% for hardbacks
    • 20-25% on ebooks and audiobooks
  • Books are often sold at bulk discounts to retailers, so you receive royalties at lower than the retail price
  • Big publishers won’t invest much money into marketing new authors – you have to prove your worth to them first
  • You must submit through an agent – finding an agent is time-consuming, difficult, and costly (they receive 15% commission out of your advance & royalties)

*Here is an invaluable chart of the Big 5 Publishing companies and their imprints.

Traditional publishing could be a good fit if:

  • You’ve written a book with mass appeal
  • You want others to almost entirely handle the business side of book

The Pros and Cons of Publishing with an Indie/Small Press

What is a small or indie press?

A small or independent press is not affiliated with the Big 5 publishers, publishes less than 10 books in a year, and makes less than $25M annually. They may use a traditional publishing model, with slight variations. 

Pros:

  • They employ a professional, experienced team
  • Potentially higher royalties with room for negotiation
    • Some offer the same rates as traditional publishers: 5-25%
    • Others offer 40-60% in royalties
  • They publish way fewer books and so spend more time and effort marketing each one
  • May or may not expect agented submissions
  • They take risks on more “unusual” books rather than following formulas on what will sell
  • Growing respect, with many dedicated awards and competitions

Cons:

  • You no longer own the rights to your book
  • If they’re able to offer an advance, it’ll be small – usually you do not receive an advance
  • They have a smaller budget and team and so more limited options for distribution and marketing strategy
  • A smaller fanbase so less potential reach for your book

Here’s one searchable database of indie/small presses. Note that it is curated and their criteria for what makes a “good” press may differ from yours.

Indie publishing could be a good fit if:

  • You want a team of experts supporting you and advising you on the industry
  • But you want a greater level of creative freedom and negotiating power

The Pros and Cons of Self-publishing

How does self-publishing work?

An author arranges and pays for the publication of their work, rather than going through a publication. Note that authors have printed and distributed their own work for centuries, but online distribution platforms have made this approach more accessible than ever before.

Pros:

  • You retain all rights, creative control, and decision-making powers
  • You set your earnings with royalties ranging from 35-80% depending on the distribution platform
  • Complete flexibility on distribution and pricing strategies

Cons:

  • You must pay out of pocket for everything
  • You must build your own team for editing, distribution, design, marketing & publicity
  • You must complete extensive research about the publishing industry and wear many hats besides “author”
  • Many awards and reviewers still exclude self-published books, though more and more accept them each year

Amazon Kindle Direct, IngramSpark and Kobo are commonly used self-publishing platforms, but there are many other options.

Self-publishing could be a good fit if:

  • You’re highly motivated to learn about branding and marketing
  • You’re willing to approach your books as a business
  • You can afford to hire professionals to refine your book to industry standards

The Pros and Cons of Hybrid Publishing

What is a hybrid publisher?

A newer term, many people use the term “hybrid” interchangeably with “indie” or “vanity” publishing, leading to confusion. Hybrid publishing offers a middle ground between traditional and self-publishing. The author pays a team of professionals to edit, design, and market their book, but retains all rights to their work and so will receive 100% of profits.

Pros:

  • A professional team of publishers will create a custom plan to refine and publish your manuscript – you can choose as many or as few services as you want
  • You retain all creative power and have the last say – they are working for you
  • Unlike vanity presses, hybrid publishers actually follow through on their promises – they want to make their customers happy so they keep getting business
  • Hybrid publishers are often run by people who have, or still do work for traditional publishers – they know the industry inside and out
  • Time – you won’t have to spend time on queries or proposals, and your team will walk you through every step of the publishing process, making this potentially the greatest time-saving publishing route

Cons:

  • Cost – publishing services are expensive, and will cost more than hiring freelancers individually (as many self-published authors do)
  • You must research carefully to make sure you’ve chosen a reputable business rather than a vanity press
  • You may not make back the money you invested into your book
  • Your book will still be considered self-published and so excluded from many competitions and bestseller lists

Reputable hybrid publishers should always meet the following guidelines set forth by the Independent Book Publishers Association.

Hybrid publishing could be a good fit if:

  • Your time is worth more than your money
  • You already have an established brand or audience who will buy your book and make back your investment (e.x. influencers, businessmen).

The “right” choice is unique to YOU

There is no one right choice! Depending on your goals as an author, there is a right fit for you which may differ from what works best for your other author friends.

Unfortunately, there’s also no perfect choice. Pick your top 3 deal breakers – the 3 things which are most important for you as an author. For example: time, money, and creative freedom. Pick the publishing route which does 2 out of those 3 things the best.

Above all, trust your instinct and demand respect. No one should make you feel like a beggar, no matter their prestige.

Still have questions? Schedule a Free 15-min consultation today!

Hi, I’m Caylah Coffeen, a freelance editor and marketer of sci-fi and fantasy books. I love reading and writing and am a follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve worked for Monster Ivy Publishing and Eschler Editing, and am currently a weekly editor with Havok Publishing. Reach out to chat about books and publishing!

Thanks for stopping by my website! I hope you’ve found some helpful resources about reading, writing, and publishing. If you liked this article, here’s some more free content…