Manuscript Evaluation vs Developmental Edit

I don’t know about you, but I never even heard of a manuscript evaluation until a few years ago. Also called a manuscript review or assessment, this is a service that can be a gamechanger for many authors. It should always come before a developmental edit. But what is an evaluation? And how is it different from a developmental edit?

Here’s the lineup of book editing services in the right order:

This blog post will cover the first two: the evaluation and developmental edit.

But first, because I also prefer the short version, here’s the TLDR:

Both a manuscript evaluation and developmental edit look at the big-picture elements of your book. But where the evaluation is an overview, the developmental edit is an in-depth process.

The Canyon

I like to compare the editing levels to visiting the Grand Canyon. The developmental edit is when you’re standing at the edge, looking out at it all. The line edit is the hike down, when you’re among the rocks and see everything close up. Proofreading is the walk in the valley, noticing details and minutiae you couldn’t spot at the higher level.

So where does a manuscript assessment fit in? Think of it as the fly-by the helicopter does over the canyon. You can see it all passing before your eyes, but you don’t dip down to visit specific areas or take the time to comment on each mile. You’re simply taking it all in in one go.

Analogy set. Let’s dive into the good stuff.

What Is a Manuscript Evaluation

The manuscript evaluation is an overall assessment of your book’s strengths and weaknesses. An editor will write up an evaluation covering big-picture elements, such as plot, point of view, character, and so on. The idea is to give the author a solid picture of where the manuscript’s at and what needs to happen to make it better.

This service is ideal for authors who want to “make sure the story works.” They might be unsure if the plot is solid or the genre expectations are being meet, and this is a faster, cheaper way to check than a full developmental edit. It could also be they’ve been querying agents and haven’t gotten a bite, so they want to see if there are significant story elements that need to be addressed.

What This Looks Like:

I read through the manuscript and then write up a 10–20 page assessment of what’s working well and what needs improvement. This is followed by a 60-minute call with the author to review the feedback and plan next steps. The entire process usually takes three to four weeks.

Here’s the outline of a manuscript evaluation I did on a memoir. You can see the kinds of areas covered. These can vary based on the manuscript and the author’s desired focus points, but the topics of theme/message, character arc, and plot are always addressed, as those are the core pillars of every story. This evaluation was 13 pages long.

What Is a Developmental Edit

The developmental edit looks at the same things a manuscript evaluation does but in a much more in-depth, thorough way. In a DE, the actual manuscript is commented on (see image below) to point out specific areas that need work. Content can also be shifted to improve the structure. Usually entire chapters and scenes are commented on, as this is still a big-picture edit, focusing on large-scale issues. But paragraphs or sentences that are integral to the big picture, or that illustrate recurring problems, are commented on as well.

The developmental edit also includes an editorial letter (usually 5–10 pages), summarizing what needs work or breaking down concepts in more detail. I also include a 60-minute follow-up with the author after each round to discuss queries and brainstorm revisions.

Here’s an example of comments in a DE. (This was for Jason France’s Five Million Steps.)

In the editorial letter, I had a section on narration vs. scene (or showing vs telling), and I used the paragraph I commented on to further illustrate the idea.

Should I Choose an Eval or Edit?

This is going to depend on a few factors. Namely, your skill, your goals, and your budget.

Skill

The manuscript evaluation is, in many ways, like a DIY developmental edit. There’s no hand-holding, and while suggestions are given in the evaluation, it is then up to you, the author, to take the feedback, find all the places it applies in your story, and revise accordingly. You have to see on your own which scenes are being told instead of shown, which dialogue needs to be revised for conflict, and so on. In short, you have to have the ability to apply feedback to revise your work. And to be frank, not all writers have that.

And this is key: If you know that you need that extra level of assistance, then while an evaluation will help you, the money spent paying for it would have been much better used toward a developmental edit. That’s the truth.

(Tip: If you’re not sure whether you can revise, ask me for a sample edit plus a review of that sample post-revision. I’ll be able to tell you which path is better for you.)

Goals

What do you want out of the edit? A general (but practical) overview so you know next steps (eval)? Or a deeper dive into the heart of your story, with comments and advice along the way that will help you unearth all that gold (DE)?

Do you want a more hands-on, communicative journey with your editor (DE)? Or are you looking for a quick check-in so you can see what’s what with your book (eval)?

There is no right or wrong here. Only what is right for you and your story. That is all.

Budget

We can’t ignore this one. Obviously, given the discrepancy in what you get for an eval vs a DE, one is much less expensive than the other. As an example, on a 50k-word book I charge about $900 for an evaluation and about $3,000 for two rounds of developmental editing.

Many authors can’t afford a big-picture edit and will try, at the very least, to get in a copyedit and proofread. Totally get that. But if you have room in your budget to get an evaluation, it will make your story better. You will see the large-scale elements that need work, as well as any writing quirks or recurring issues to tackle. It will then be up to you to figure out how to revise and do the work, but your story will be much better off than if you’d skipped this step altogether.

If you’re still not sure which path is right for you and your book, let’s chat. I can also do a sample edit for you to see if a manuscript evaluation or developmental edit is the best way forward.

Let’s mine that message for gold.

About Adina

Adina Edelman is a book editor who works with authors of memoir and fiction, especially historical, mystery, sci-fi/fantasy, literary, and middle-grade fiction. She’s all about mining your message, unearthing the gold in your story—not just the grammar errors.

Adina has worked on over 130 titles in the past five years (and published one of her own). She offers 30-minute coaching sessions alongside her editing services.

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