Manuscript assessment
Why get an assessment?
For many writers, manuscript assessment is an important first step before seeking a publisher. It brings a fresh eye to your manuscript and provides you with an objective analysis that enables you to further develop your work.
The assessors are sensitive to writers' intentions for their manuscripts and will provide a rigorous and serious reading.
The VWC service is independent, and has a proven track record, with assessments performed by professional writers and editors at competitive rates.
What the VWC service assesses
- poetry
- fiction, including novels and short stories
- non-fiction, including history, autobiography and biography
- children's books, including picture books, chapter books and young adult books
- film/tv/play scripts.
What an assessment looks at
An assessor will comment and advise on many elements of your manuscript. Depending on the type of manuscript, these may include character, point of view, plotting, pace, writing style, narrative or poetic voice, dialogue, tone, length, structure, presentation of the manuscript, appropriate research and appropriate use of research, likely readership and marketing possibilities.
This is not an editing or proofing service, so there will be no assistance with the more technical aspects of writing, such as grammar, sentence structure, word meaning, indexing or bibliographic format.
You can request that the assessment focus on a particular aspect of the manuscript.
Cost
Short manuscripts
VWC members $195, non-member $225 covers one of:
- Short manuscript, max 8000 words
- Two sample chapters, max 8000 words
- Two short stories, max 8000 words
- Three children's picture books, max 8000 words
- Poetry, max 200 lines
- Script or screenplay, max 12 pages
Children's/YA fiction
VWC members $290, non-member $350 covers:
- Children's/YA fiction, max 50,000 words
Full-length manuscripts
VWC members $420, non-member $480 covers one of:
- Fiction or non-fiction, max 80,000 words
- Poetry collection, max 3000 lines
- Script or screenplay, max 120 pages
For fiction or non-fiction, additional prose over 80,000 words charged at $11 per additional 10,000 words.
All prices include GST.
How to submit a manuscript for assessment
Download the manuscript assessment form below for full details on costs and how to submit, or contact us for more information.
