Find Out If Your Novel Is Ready for Publication
Before you spend months querying literary agents, submitting to publishers, or self-publishing your novel, get an honest, professional evaluation from an acquisitions editor.
As Editor-in-Chief of Thriller Magazine and Thriller Magazine Press, I’ve reviewed hundreds of manuscripts and know the difference between stories that capture a reader’s attention and those that fall short.
Although my editorial background is rooted in thriller publishing, this evaluation is open to writers working in all fiction genres.
This evaluation is designed to help you identify your manuscript’s greatest strengths, uncover the issues holding it back, and give you a clear plan for improving it.
This review covers:
- Structure, pacing, and escalation
- Character development, motivation, and agency
- Stakes, tension, and reader engagement
- Opening effectiveness and overall narrative momentum
- Genre alignment and submission readiness
- The top revision priorities and a clear revision roadmap
Written Review: $149 | Review + Video Call: $249
Turnaround: 10 days
Services & Pricing
Manuscript Review (Written Editorial Diagnostic) — $149
A comprehensive written manuscript review providing big-picture editorial feedback. Feedback is delivered entirely in text form.
This service focuses on diagnosis rather than editing.
Includes:
- Overall manuscript assessment
- Narrative structure and pacing analysis
- Character agency and development notes
- Stakes and escalation evaluation
- Prose clarity at a macro level (not line edits)
- Genre and market alignment feedback
- The top three revision priorities
- A clear revision roadmap
Manuscript Review + Video Consultation — $249
This tier includes the full written manuscript review listed above plus a focused video consultation.
The consultation is designed to clarify the written feedback, answer targeted questions, and help the writer prioritize revisions efficiently.
Includes:
- Everything in the written manuscript review
- One 45–60 minute video consultation
- Discussion of revision strategy and next steps
This is a strategic conversation, not live editing or coaching.
Manuscript Review Request Form
Submit the form below to request your manuscript review and complete payment. You’ll receive a confirmation email within 24–48 hours with manuscript submission instructions and next steps.
What Happens Next?
1. Submit your request and payment.
Complete the Manuscript Review Request Form and submit payment for the service you selected.
2. Receive confirmation within 24–48 hours.
I’ll personally review your project details and send a confirmation email with a request for your manuscript and details about the next steps.
3. Submit your manuscript.
You’ll send your manuscript as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file or provide a Google Docs/Google Drive link with view access enabled.
4. I evaluate your manuscript.
Your manuscript will be read in its entirety and evaluated using the same editorial principles I use when reviewing fiction for publication.
5. Receive your evaluation.
Within 10 days of receiving both payment and your manuscript, you’ll receive your written manuscript evaluation. If you selected the Manuscript Review + Video Consultation, we’ll also schedule your 45–60 minute video consultation.
Why This Evaluation?
Writing a novel takes months—sometimes years.
Unfortunately, many writers begin submitting their work before it’s truly ready. Others spend months revising without knowing whether they’re improving the story or simply rewriting the same problems.
A professional manuscript evaluation gives you objective feedback before you invest your time, money, and energy pursuing publication.
My goal isn’t to rewrite your novel.
My goal is to help you understand exactly where your manuscript succeeds, where it needs improvement, and what revisions will have the biggest impact.
What You’ll Receive
Depending on the tier selected, your manuscript review may include the following:
Complete Manuscript Review
Your manuscript will be read in its entirety with careful attention to story structure, pacing, characterization, tension, dialogue, and overall reader engagement.
Detailed Written Evaluation
You’ll receive a comprehensive written report explaining:
- Your manuscript’s greatest strengths
- Areas that need improvement
- Plot structure
- Character development
- Pacing and suspense
- Dialogue effectiveness
- Stakes and conflict
- Opening pages
- Ending satisfaction
- Market readiness
- Suggested priorities for revision
Rather than simply pointing out problems, I’ll explain why they matter and where your revision time will have the greatest impact.
Personalized Zoom Consultation — Available with the Review + Video Call Tier
After you’ve reviewed your evaluation, we’ll meet for a one-hour Zoom consultation.
This is your opportunity to ask questions, discuss revisions, explore publishing options, and receive personalized guidance based on your manuscript.
Why Work With Me?
I’m not simply offering opinions as a writer.
As Editor-in-Chief of Thriller Magazine Press, I regularly evaluate manuscripts and short fiction for publication. Every submission is judged using the same editorial standards that determine whether a story captures a reader’s attention and delivers a satisfying experience.
In addition to my editorial work, my publishing experience includes:
- Editor-in-Chief of Thriller Magazine Press
- Editorial leadership on more than a dozen issues of Thriller Magazine
- Author of 10 published novels
- Author of more than 50 published children’s picture books
- Author of a published nonfiction biography
- Published author of more than three dozen short stories
- Professional writing credits for 20th Century Studios, including work related to the Predator franchise
This combination of editorial experience and publishing experience allows me to evaluate manuscripts from both an editor’s and an author’s perspective.
Every submission is assessed using the same core questions:
- Does the opening immediately hook the reader?
- Does the story maintain tension?
- Are the characters compelling?
- Does the plot escalate naturally?
- Does the ending deliver a satisfying payoff?
- Would readers recommend this book?
Those same editorial principles form the foundation of every manuscript evaluation.
My goal is to provide the kind of honest, constructive feedback that helps writers make meaningful improvements—not empty praise or discouraging criticism.
What This Evaluation Is Not
To ensure unbiased feedback, this service is not a copyedit or line edit.
Instead, it focuses on the elements that most strongly determine whether readers stay engaged. Think of it as a roadmap for revision.
Editorial Boundaries
To preserve editorial integrity:
- This service is not available for work currently under consideration by Thriller Magazine or Thriller Magazine Press
- This service has no influence on submissions or editorial decisions at Thriller Magazine or Thriller Magazine Press
Ready to Strengthen Your Manuscript?
You’ve invested countless hours writing your novel. Before you invest countless more submitting it to agents, publishers, or readers, get professional feedback designed to help you revise with confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the writer receive after the manuscript review?
A written editorial diagnostic that covers structure, pacing, character effectiveness, stakes and escalation, genre alignment, and reader engagement. It includes the top revision priorities and a practical roadmap for the next draft.
Does this include line editing or copyediting?
No. This service provides big-picture diagnostic feedback and does not include line edits, in-text markup, grammar correction, or rewrites.
When does the 10-day turnaround start?
The 10-day turnaround begins once payment is received and the manuscript is delivered or accessible via a working share link.
What file formats are accepted?
Manuscripts may be provided as a .docx file or via a Google Docs or Google Drive share link with view access enabled.
Can a writer request a consultation if the manuscript was submitted to Thriller Magazine or Thriller Magazine Press?
If the manuscript is currently under consideration, it is not eligible for consultation. If it is not under consideration, a request may be submitted.
What genres are a good fit?
All genres are accepted. The consultation focuses on core storytelling craft—structure, pacing, character, stakes, and reader engagement—regardless of genre.
Are all requests accepted?
No. Requests are reviewed for fit and availability. If a request is declined, the writer may submit again later if circumstances change.
Related Articles
What Is a Manuscript Evaluation? A Practical Guide for Writers
A manuscript evaluation is a big-picture assessment of an entire manuscript. It is designed to answer one question: How is the draft functioning as a reading experience right now, and what changes will improve it most?
Why a Manuscript Evaluation Is a Must Have for Authors (Even After Revisions)
Many writers revise far more than they need to, not because they lack discipline, but because revision becomes circular. A manuscript evaluation interrupts that loop. It gives a writer a clear outside reading experience and a prioritized revision path.
The Importance of a Manuscript Evaluation: Why Authors Need a Reader Report
Most manuscripts do not fail because the author did not work hard enough. They plateau because revision becomes repetitive. A writer senses something is not landing, so they revise the same chapters again, polish sentences, and refine dialogue. The prose improves, but the reading experience remains uneven.