Partial Manuscript Evaluation

put your best foot forward with agents and editors.

For writers pursuing traditional publication, the first fifty or so pages of your manuscript—known as the “partial”—may be the first glimpse of your work a potential agent or editor gets after your query letter piqued their interest. If the partial is promising, the agent/editor may request the full manuscript. If they spot problems or feel underwhelmed by those opening chapters, though, they will likely pass.

For writers planning to self-publish, or who aren’t yet sure what they want to do, a review of the early chapters is a good way to get some preliminary feedback that could guide further revision. The turnaround time is quicker than a Comprehensive Manuscript Evaluation, so you can get some direction and get right back to work.

The Partial Manuscript Evaluation provides everything you need to understand what is working and what needs improvement within your partial.

The Partial Manuscript Evaluation empowers you to:

Determine whether your draft is starting strong Understand what an agent may notice in your partial       

Identify issues that may run through your full draft Make a plan for revision

What’s Included

I tailor my services to the needs of each client, but a typical process looks like this:

Step 1: 30-minute 1-on-1 call.

Step 2: I read your partial (first 50 or so pages of your draft), making comments.

Step 3: I compile my feedback into a brief editorial letter.

Step 4: You begin work on your revision.

Timeframe

The process typically takes a few weeks once I receive the manuscript, depending on schedules.