Gail Anderson-Dargatz  

Manuscript Evaluations
The affordable next step between a beta reading and a developmental edit.

About:

Looking for an editor’s perspective on a complete draft of a novel project, but not yet ready for an in-depth developmental edit? A manuscript evaluation is the affordable next step between a beta reading and a developmental edit. 
 
Our manuscript evaluation service is for writers at all levels of experience, including emerging writers, self-published writers, and writers with one or more books published by a traditional publishing house. We offer an overview of the problems from an editorial standpoint and suggest possible solutions to help you take your project to the next level. 
 
The manuscript evaluation is not a line-by-line or copy edit service. A critique will not guarantee publication.
 
To develop your manuscript even further, consider an in-depth developmental edit with Gail, which will help you redefine and restructure your project. 

How it works:

First, contact Gail's office to make sure your assigned editor has time in their calendar. We'll schedule you in and email you an invoice. Once you've paid and sent us your manuscript, we'll get to work. Depending on manuscript length, you can expect three to five pages of notes on your project within a month of submission.
 
To keep the cost low, there is no Zoom meeting or email discussion as there is in Gail’s developmental editing package.
 
Manuscripts must be submitted as a single Word document, in 12-point, Times New Roman, double-spaced.
 

When:

You may book a manuscript evaluation at any time, but please contact Gail's office in advance to make sure there is room available.

Cost:

The cost is two cents a word Canadian, plus GST/HST for your province.
 
For example, a 40,000-word manuscript would cost $800, plus GST/HST. An 80,000-word manuscript would cost $1600 plus GST/HST.
 
Grants for writers can often be used for professional development, including this manuscript evaluation. Check out the Canada Council for the Arts and provincial arts councils to see if this funding is a possibility for you.
 
Not ready for a manuscript evaluation? Check out our even more affordable alpha and beta reading service, or book a meet and greet session with Gail to discuss which services are right for you.
 
For a more in-depth, face-to-face workshop, check out a blue pencil session  or fiction mentorship with Gail.
 
For more information, email Gail's office at books@gailanderson-dargatz.ca.
 

Praise:

 
“Graham's skills brought precision to my writing, resulting in clearer character definition and a focus on storyline that helped bring my writing to life. I could feel it on the page.”
 
          — Florence MacDonald, an award-winning, internationally produced playwright
          and short story writer
 
“Working with Gail has saved me months, if not years, of time wasted on taking wrong turns and going down rabbit holes in my fiction... She is excellent at identifying weaknesses and inconsistencies with structure, character, and narrative arc.”
 
         — Ellen McKeough, short story writer and physician
 
“I'm very grateful for the attention to detail paid by Graham. I learned so much about editing for consistency, clarity, and accuracy. I'll be back for more!”
 
         — Liza Potvin, creative nonfiction award winner
 

Work with Gail

Gail works with writers at all levels, from newbies to pros. Choose the course that best suits your project.

Meet and Greet

Meet Gail for a 15-minute Zoom session to find out which one of Gail's services is right for you.

Fiction Mentorships

Gail's flagship course. In this one-on-one, private, four-month online mentorship, Gail will guide you as you build your fiction project.

Manuscript Evaluations

Looking for an editor’s perspective on your fiction project, but not yet ready for an in-depth developmental edit? A manuscript evaluation is the affordable next step between a beta reading and a developmental edit.

The Clean Sweep

Writing is messy. Clean it up! Get a detailed edit of your story, pitch package, grant application or fiction project of any length.

Blue Pencil Sessions

Not your average blue pencil session, this 45-minute consultation with Gail is a full workshop. Book at any time.

Alpha and Beta Reading Service

Alpha and beta readers give feedback on a manuscript from a reader’s perspective. Move your project forward with this affordable service.

Developmental Edits

Gail digs deep into your manuscript's big picture story elements - themes, story goals, conflicts and structure, character arcs, pacing, point of view, and dialogue - to help you develop your project to the fullest.

Writing Retreat

A perfect writing getaway in the beautiful Shuswap landscape found in so much of Gail's writing

About Gail

Gail's novels have been national and international bestsellers and two have been short-listed for the Giller Prize, among other awards. She works as a developmental editor and mentors writers from around the world.

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