What is Manuscript Analysis?
A manuscript analysis is like hiring both a Beta Reader and Developmental Editor. When your manuscript is analyzed, you’ll receive honest and empowering feedback to help you make sure your story is powerful and clear.
A manuscript analysis can also help you get an outsider’s view on how your story comes across to a potential reader, editor, or agent. Many authors succumb to common mistakes when it comes to a story’s pacing, character depth, and clarity. A Manuscript Analysis will help you to tighten up your story and avoid these common pitfalls.
Who needs a Manuscript Analysis?
There are two types of authors who need a manuscript analysis.
The first is an author struggling with a missing piece. Perhaps you’ve got a good manuscript but feel it isn’t great yet. Perhaps your manuscript is complete but doesn’t feel polished.
If you….
Then a Manuscript Analysis is right for you. Even if your story isn’t complete, an analysis can help you. Feedback at this stage can help you identify if the important elements of your story are falling flat.
The second type of author who needs a Manuscript Analysis has a manuscript that has been revised to their satisfaction but needs a fresh perspective. This author is critique ready.
If you….
Frequently Asked Questions
Can’t I just do this myself?
While you can certainly reread your manuscript again and again, we both know from experience that an author’s close proximity to their own work makes it hard to see problems that others will notice. You’ve put so much hard work into writing your book, the last thing you want is for a reader to get turned off after only a few pages. Even avid readers have limited time and attention in our fast-paced world. A book that doesn’t grab a reader (or agent’s or editor’s) attention immediately and maintain it will not make the cut.
A Manuscript Analysis can provide feedback from the point of view of your next reader. Whether that reader is a gatekeeper in the traditional publishing industry or the first person to order your book from a self-publishing platform, you want them to keep turning pages, not turn away from your hard work over easily fixable issues.
What if I ask a friend to read my manuscript?
There are positive aspects to having friends Beta Read for you. One of course is the cost effectiveness. But there are some things to consider when relying on friends to critique your manuscript. They may not be objective- you want your book to succeed without the reader’s attachment to you as a factor. Your lifelong best friend may read it cover to cover because they love you, not because it’s a winning story.
They may not know what to look for- unless your friends are experienced authors or work in publishing, chances are their barometer for critique is just knowing what they like or don’t like. But that may not be enough to get your book picked up by a publisher.
Even if you plan to self-publish, you’ll need professional feedback from someone familiar with the industry. It doesn’t hurt to have friends read your manuscript, but friends may not be able to give you all the help you need to make your book successful.
Is this the same as editing?
Consider this a form of editing. This service is not considered line editing, or scouring the manuscript for grammar and spelling errors and correcting them. While I will certainly point out mistakes in grammar or spelling, it is not the focus of this service to provide that level of editing. This form of editing focuses instead on the bird’s eye view of your manuscript.
Manuscript Analysis provides you with a critique that will help you make sure your book is a page turner that engages your readers.
How much does it cost?
A basic Manuscript Analysis is .02 per word. If you want help making your manuscript self-publish ready (critiquing your book blurb, obtaining a copyright, ISBN number, formatting the manuscript, getting a professional cover made and uploading it to KDP or IngramSpark, contact me about rates for your comprehensive Book Launch Package. This service takes the guess work and stress out of the process of turning your manuscript into a book. Fees will be dependent on your specific publishing goals and the needs of your manuscript.
What if I can’t afford it?
Reach out and we can discuss your goals. We can work out a payment plan or other ways to make the service feasible for your budget.
What if I don’t like the feedback I’ve been given?
We’ve all been defensive or disappointed by a critique. Give yourself time to sit with the feedback. What about the feedback are you uncomfortable with? If you feel strongly that your vision for your book is not aligned with the feedback you’ve been given, perhaps it’s time to get a second opinion in a writing group or from peers. Remember, this service is a critique and you can implement the feedback given, ignore it, or do a combination of both.
My approach focuses on empowering you as the author. I don’t give instructions on what you “have to” do, but point out suggestions of things that can make your book stronger based on my experience. Ultimately, it’s for you to decide to implement the feedback or not.
What qualifies you to do a manuscript analysis?
I have experience in publishing and writing from various angles. My professional writing career began in 2010, when I was published as part of a collaboration with two other authors. Our nonfiction award winning book was the first of three published through Schiffer, a small but reputable publisher.
In 2015, I self-published my first nonfiction book, Discover Your Inner Queen. While most major publishers don’t pick up previously self-published titles, I was able to get a publishing contract with Conari, a division of Red Wheel Weiser, which is the second largest publisher of metaphysical books. The book was published in 2018 as Queen Up! Reclaim Your Crown When Life Knocks You Down. After spending two years steadily touring the country to promote Queen Up!, I learned a lot about how books are marketed and what readers and bookstores look for.
In 2020, I self-published my first novel, Quiet Man, which was a finalist for the Siskiyou Prize for Environmental Literature. Since then, I’ve self-published three additional novels, a collection of short stories and poems, and a non-fiction book.
But it isn’t just experience publishing and self-publishing that has given me the skills to help you turn your manuscript into the book it deserves to be. Over the years, I’ve participated in numerous writing conferences, retreats, classes and workshops. This has given me a deeper understanding of both the elements of writing style and genre, and also experience with what makes a helpful critique.
How do I contact you for questions?
The best ways to get in touch with me are to email me at angelakaufmanauthor@gmail.com or text 518 810 3257 to set up an initial appointment.
How do I get started?
Get in touch and we’ll schedule a phone consultation. This will give us both a chance to talk and see if we vibe with each other. It will also give us both a chance to explore what your manuscript is about and your goals for your book. If you’re interested in working with me, I’ll then ask you to send me 5 the first five pages of your manuscript. Why only five? Because that is the average number of pages an editor, agent, or reader will read before they decide whether they are interested in continuing your book.
If your story is in a genre I am not experienced in or if it still needs more work to be ready for this service, I will let you know and there is no charge. But if your story is ready for deeper analysis and if your genre is one I can critique based on my experience and knowledge base, we’ll have a follow up consultation and outline next steps including payment plan.
Why don’t you critique every genre?
While I love books that challenge genres or break some of the rules, generally speaking, there are specific expectations readers have of genres. I’m an avid reader of many types of books, but there are some genres I just don’t have as much experience with. Those include romance, technical nonfiction writing, and space operas.
Since I don’t have as much experience with the conventions of these genres, I would not be the best qualified person to help you make your manuscript into the strongest book it can be. I know my limits and will be honest with you about whether I can help you.
Angela Kaufman is an LCSW, author, writer, astrologer, and intuitive Tarot reader. She has facilitated personal empowerment workshops nationwide. She has co-authored three traditionally published books in the spirituality/occult genre and traditionally published her first book, Queen Up! in 2018.
In 2019, Angela also formed Trash Panda Press and published her first novel, Quiet Man, which was a finalist for the Siskiyou Award for Environmental Literature.
She has continued to publish novels drawing on interests in social justice and current events including: Golden Apple (2021), Sold Out (2021), and Murder in the Gilded City (2021).
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