Manuscript assessment
So you’ve written a short story, part of a novel – or the whole thing! Before you start sending it to publishers, it might be a good idea to get it assessed by an expert.

That’s where a manuscript assessment comes in. It’s an invaluable way to get feedback on your work to see where your strengths are and where you can improve.

We can offer manuscript assessments for writing aimed at children, young adults or adults. We do not provide the service for picture books. Your writing needs to be directed to readers aged 9 and above.

What is a manuscript assessment?
The manuscript assessment is a detailed and objective report on all aspects of your work.

For fiction and life-writing assessments the report discusses:

• Style
• Structure
• Point of view
• Character development
• Plot technique and development
• Scene-setting
• Time frames
• Relevant genre conventions
• Any other elements particular to your work

The assessment will also address such questions as:

• Have you achieved what you set out to do?
• Does it reach the target audience?
• Does it grab the reader?
• Is it a good story?
• Does it feel fresh or is it cliched and predictable?
• Will an agent or a publisher like it?

Who will assess your manuscript?
Dr Rose Moxham writes for adults and children and has published short stories and two young adult novels. Her most recent work is a novel, Teeth Marks (Allen & Unwin), April, 2007.

She has served as a judge for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards (2000) and on the committee of the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.

Rose has designed, developed and delivered undergraduate and post-graduate courses in writing and editing (non-fiction and fiction) at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and Macquarie University since 1997.

She has vast experience in manuscript assessment and has reviewed peer textbooks on writing techniques (eg, Hazel Smith, The Writing Experiment, Allen & Unwin 2004) and mentored various authors.

Would you like to know more?
If you would like us to send you more information about the manuscript assessment process and range of costs, please click here. Or contact us and we would be happy to answer any of your questions.