High-quality manuscript evaluations could be the best decision you make as a first-time author before you publish your book!
Updated on July 15th, 2026
Professional manuscript evaluations are crucial, regardless of your book’s genre. For first-time authors, manuscript evaluations can be a priceless way to ensure your book is heading in the right direction with professional feedback from a qualified editor.
Did you know that you don’t have to wait until your book is finished to get a professional manuscript evaluation or appraisal? Manuscript evaluations can be done at almost any stage of your book’s development and tailored to your manuscript or budget. It doesn’t matter whether you’re planning to self-publish your book or get a literary agent and traditionally publish. A manuscript evaluation will give you valuable insight into your book’s plot, themes, overall structure, and character development.
In the following article, we’ll look at what manuscript evaluations are and why you might consider getting one done for your book. Don’t forget to check out our article on the Top 6 Benefits of Professional Editing.
If you’re a new Canadian author still considering where to self-publish your book, read The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors! We cover everything you need to know about the most popular self-publishing platforms in Canada, including Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), IngramSpark, Apple Books, and many more.
What Is A Professional Manuscript Evaluation?
Your professional manuscript evaluation will examine the character, setting, plot, voice, narrative arc, dialogue, tension, and pacing. Consider a manuscript evaluation as a broad overview of your book. It’s a great way to get a new perspective on your work from someone who hasn’t read it before. It’s also much more beneficial than alpha- and beta-reader feedback because it’s impartial. Feedback from family or friends is considered alpha reader feedback. While it’s great to share your work, the feedback isn’t always as impartial as you need it to be. No one wants to hurt a friend or family member’s feelings, which makes it hard to provide impartial and honest feedback.
Copy and developmental editing services provide you with an action-focused and in-depth look at your work to date. However, a manuscript evaluation looks at your book as a whole. More importantly, it looks at what’s working and what isn’t and the best ways for you to fix it. It will also do it long before you finish your work, potentially saving a lot of editing time, and give you an opportunity to self-edit your book, which will save you time and money later.
Depending on how far along your story is or what your budget is, a manuscript evaluation could be full or partial. It all depends on how much you have written and your budget. It’s a budget-friendly start to the editing process. If you’re a strong writer who can take an editor’s advice and implement it effectively, the manuscript evaluation process will be perfect for you.
Manuscript evaluations are sometimes called manuscript appraisals, manuscript critiques, or even structural reports. Regardless of the name, they all provide the same service. Your editor will provide you with a written report that will address what’s working and what isn’t in your manuscript. More importantly, they’ll give you some guidance on how to fix it, and it’s a great way to begin the self-editing process.
Reasons Why Authors Get A Manuscript Evaluation
Choosing to have a manuscript evaluated is entirely up to you. You are the author, and you’re in charge of how much you spend during editing. However, many authors have a set point in their novel where they have a manuscript evaluated. For Canadian authors, we have an experienced team of editors based in Canada ready to assist you with professional editing services.
However, if you’re a first-time author, it can be a lot harder to know when the right time to get a manuscript evaluation done is. Below are some scenarios and common reasons that trigger the need to get a manuscript evaluation:
- You Don’t Know What to Write Next – If you have writer’s block or don’t know how to proceed with your story or characters, then a manuscript evaluation could point you in the right direction.
- If You Are Worried Your Book Isn’t Any Good – Doubt can quickly creep into your mind when you write your first book. A manuscript evaluation can let you know whether you are headed in the right direction or need to make changes.
- You Have A Tight Budget – A manuscript evaluation isn’t a replacement for copy or developmental editing. Still, it’s an affordable way to check that your manuscript is strong if you’re on a tight budget.
- If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed – Writing can be a very solitary and lonely process. Often, new authors reach a point in their book when they feel overwhelmed. Having a professional editor to lean on during these moments can be extremely beneficial for new authors.
For Canadian authors still considering whether Amazon KDP is the best self-publishing platform for them, check out The Complete Guide to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors, which covers everything you’ll need to get started on Amazon KDP for the first time.
What Is A Manuscript Evaluation? And Why You Need One! | Conclusion
When it comes to professional manuscript evaluations, your book deserves every chance at success. A manuscript evaluation will help identify ways to strengthen your book before you publish and give you an opportunity to make any necessary edits. Our team of professional editors is standing by to assist you and can tailor a manuscript evaluation to your budget or manuscript. It’s always a daunting prospect handing your manuscript over to a stranger for feedback, but it could end up being the best decision you ever make as an author.
If you are writing a book and need assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Publishing, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
Our experienced and professional self-publishing team is standing by to assist you with your self-publishing dreams. We have a full team of professional editors who specialize in different editing services and genres. When you contact us for any editing quotes, we match you and your book with the perfect editor.
Chrissy Hobbs is the owner and founder of Indie Publishing Group, a self-publishing services provider based in Ontario, Canada, that helps authors self-publish their books on Amazon KDP, IngramSpark Publishing and other self-publishing platforms. With over a decade of experience in the publishing industry and also being a best-selling children’s book author of The Day My Fart Followed Me to Hockey and Hockey Wars, you know your book is in good hands.
Chrissy Hobbs is the owner and founder of 
