Maria Georgiou Fiction Editor
  • Home
  • Resources Library
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • Services
    • Beta reading
    • Beta reader questionaire
    • Manuscript Critique
    • Developmental Editing
  • Contact
  • About

 

Manuscript critique

The manuscript critique service (also known as manuscript evaluation or manuscript assessment) is a less intensive version of the developmental editing service. It addresses the manuscript’s strengths and weaknesses and provides comprehensive feedback on the following issues:
  • theme
  • story structure
  • characters (goals, motivations, conflict, character development)
  • point of view
  • pacing
  • setting
  • genre conventions
  • scene vs narrative summary (show vs tell)
  • dialogue
It does not address line editing or copyediting issues such as grammar, spelling or punctuation.

                                        Romance genres
I offer the manuscript critique service in the romance genre. I specialise in editing the following romance subgenres:
  • contemporary romance
  • YA romance
  •  paranormal romance
  •  romantic suspense 
  • romantasy

                        The developmental editing process
First read-through
I read the entire manuscript as quickly and as comfortably as possible to gain a general understanding of the story and to write down basic information about each scene (e.g viewpoint characters, location, main story events, notes).

Edit the manuscript
I read the entire manuscript the second time slowly and carefully. I take extensive notes in an editorial report to guide the author.

Review and send documents
I finish writing the editorial report and send it to the author.

Author review
You review the editorial report and read carefully the feedback about the big-picture issues of your story.

Follow up support
The Manuscript Critique service includes 30 minutes of follow-up support  (email or Google Meet) where we discuss your story and answer potential questions.

Deliverables:
  • an editorial report (3-5 pages) full of detailed, constructive and honest feedback as a Microsoft Word document
  • 30 minutes of follow-up support over email or Google Meet

                                        Free sample edits
Use this form and send me your completed manuscript with any other documents you have (synopsis, summary). I will read chapters from the beginning, middle and end of your story to get a general idea and identify potential issues.

I will perform a free sample edit on the first 1,000 words of your manuscript (4-5 pages). Then, I will send you the editorial report along with a no-obligation customised quote.

The purpose of the sample edit is to:
  • assess the author’s writing style, and identify the manuscript’s structure and potential big-picture storytelling issues
  • set scope expectations and ensure that my style of feedback aligns with what the author is looking for. I might leave more suggestions in the editorial report in my sample edit than I would on the full manuscript to ensure clarity and context.

For the manuscript critique service, the author gets only an editorial report of the first 1,000 words of their manuscript. I might leave more suggestions in the editorial report in my sample edit than I would on the full manuscript to give the author an idea of my editing style and make sure that it aligns with their expectations.

                       Why choose the manuscript critique service?
  • You are a new writer that needs to learn more about the foundations of novel writing first before they get overwhelmed with detailed page edits
  • You are an established author who is confident in their writing-craft knowledge and doesn’t need thorough guidance
  • You don’t have the budget for a full developmental editing service
  • You have not received any offers from publishers/agents
  • You are too close to your own story and you need another pair of (professional) eyes to read your manuscript

                                                  Why me?
  •  Avid romance reader and romance genre specialist
  •  Dedicated and passionate about my work
  •  Attention to detail
  • Strong analytical skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Safety: your book is protected and not shared with anyone else

                                         Investment
Every editor’s circumstances are different and the cost of the service depends on a lot of factors such as the type of work, scope of work, the manuscript’s turnaround time and the editor’s training and experience. 
I charge €25 per hour for the manuscript critique service. 
Additional follow-up support (email or Google Meet) can be purchased at the discounted price of €80 per hour. 
​As a new developmental editor, I offer significantly low rates to grow my portfolio and get honest testimonials.

Deadline: about 2-4 weeks depending on the length and the complexity of the manuscript
 
The cost and the deadline provided are estimates. Please contact me to get a customised quote for your manuscript.

Please read the heat/spice levels and the content warnings webpage to make sure we are a great fit to work together.
​

Please note that a 20% non-refundable booking fee is required at the time of booking to secure a slot in my schedule. Read the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy for more information.
 
                                          How it works
Every editing project is unique. Fill in this form to contact me and send me your completed manuscript along with any other related documents (synopsis, summary). I will respond to you as soon as possible with a no-obligation quote based on the specific needs of your manuscript.
I WANT TO DISCUSS MY PROJECT WITH YOU
I WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE OTHER SERVICES
Home                                                  Contact
About                                                  Terms and Conditions           Email form                                         Privacy Policy
​Blog                                                      Feedback form            
Services                                              

Portfolio                                            
​ Resources Library                                                         
Editorial Freelancers Association member
ClubEdFreelancers member
© 2024-2025 Maria Georgiou
  • Home
  • Resources Library
  • Blog
  • Portfolio
  • Services
    • Beta reading
    • Beta reader questionaire
    • Manuscript Critique
    • Developmental Editing
  • Contact
  • About