FOR WRITERS OF BOOK-LENGTH PROJECTS
50-Page Manuscript Evaluation
Includes Editorial Letter & 30-Minute Strategy Call
You have pages. But is the story working? Get honest, big-picture feedback from a PhD-trained developmental editor who understands both the craft and the brain behind the draft, before you go any further.
Who This Is For
Fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction writers with book-length projects who want to know if their manuscript is structurally sound before going further
Writers who've been in their own head too long and need an outside perspective
ADHD writers who need feedback delivered in a way that motivates rather than derails
Anyone ready to stop guessing and start writing with direction
✔️ Genres I work with:
I read every manuscript through a literary lens, which means I focus on character depth, psychological realism, and prose that earns its keep. I have a particular soft spot for the weird, the speculative, and the darkly funny. If your story is character-driven at its core, we'll work well together, whether that's literary, upmarket, women's, historical, speculative, fantasy, sci-fi, suspense/thriller, horror, humor, memoir, or narrative nonfiction.
❌ Genres I don’t work with:
I don't edit books that sit squarely in the romance genre or books written for the YA market. Both have their own conventions and reader expectations, and you deserve an editor who knows them inside and out. Love stories within other genres are always welcome.
I also don't evaluate expository or prescriptive nonfiction (psychology, science, self-help) through this service, and I don't evaluate AI-generated prose. This evaluation is for human-written storytelling.
What You’ll Receive
Thorough read of your first 50 pages (up to 12,500 words) by a PhD-trained developmental editor
Detailed editorial letter covering story question, plot, pacing, character development, author voice, and scene structure (delivered at least 2 days before our call so you arrive with questions ready)
Honest, specific feedback on what's working and what needs attention, without shame or overwhelm
30-minute strategy call to walk through the feedback together and map your next steps
Confidence to move your story forward 🚀
What This Is Not
This evaluation provides big-picture structural feedback. It does not include in-line edits or line-by-line notes. Think of it as your manuscript's GPS check: are you headed in the right direction, and do you know what to focus on next?
If you're ready for deeper, hands-on developmental work after your evaluation, explore my full developmental editing service (available on a limited, case-by-case basis).
How It Works
Book your 30-minute strategy call date and pay. The date you choose on the calendar is the date we'll meet on Zoom. Calls book a minimum of 25 days out, because I begin reading your manuscript exactly 23 days before our call. That gives me a full three-week editorial window and gives you time with your letter before we talk.
Submit your pages within 48 hours of booking. Reply to your confirmation email with your first 50 pages (up to 12,500 words) as a Word document (.docx, Times New Roman, size 12, double-spaced). Shorter than 50 pages? Use the leftover space for an outline, synopsis, or scene-order list and I'll review those too.
Receive your editorial letter. It lands in your inbox at least 2 days before our call so you can read it, sit with it, and jot down your questions.
We meet for 30 minutes to discuss the feedback and plan your path forward.
* Read This Before Booking
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If your correctly formatted file isn't received within 48 hours of booking, your call time slot will be cancelled, your slot released for others to book, and your fee will be refunded minus credit card processing fees.
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Anything beyond 50 pages or 12,500 words will not be read or included in the evaluation letter.
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You may cancel for a refund (minus credit card processing fees) any time before reading begins, which is 23 days before your originally scheduled call.
Once reading begins, your evaluation window is reserved exclusively for your manuscript and no refunds can be issued.
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You can move our call to a later date with at least 48 hours' notice via Calendly.
Rescheduling moves only the call. Your reading start date, letter delivery date, and refund eligibility stay tied to your original call date.
Calls cancelled or changed within 48 hours of the scheduled time are forfeited.
What My Clients Are Saying…
“Candice is an incredibly thorough, empathetic, and honest reviewer and editor. She not only helped me improve my current work, she also pushed me to think more deeply and authentically about my writing for the future. Her encouragement fostered real motivation, and her thoughtful critiques always came with clear, workable solutions. This was invaluable because it helped me understand the “why” behind each change. I was thrilled with the final product and will definitely hire her again!” — I.A.
Investment: $500
One-time payment. Includes editorial letter + 30-minute strategy call.
✧ Client perk: All coaching and manuscript evaluation clients receive 10% off developmental editing packages.
Ready to Get Clarity?
Your manuscript deserves honest, thoughtful feedback from someone who understands both the craft and the brain behind it.