Get unstuck and fall in love with your story again

Manuscript evaluations that help you see what's actually working

Hi! I'm Michael, a freelance book editor with 20 years of experience in writing and editing. I know how easy it is to get lost in your own story. One minute you're weaving together brilliant plotlines, and the next you're staring at your manuscript, wondering if the whole thing is a mess. (It's probably not. But I get why it feels that way.)

That's where I come in. My manuscript evaluation gives you honest, insightful feedback on your story's structure, characters, pacing, and overall effectiveness. I'll help you pinpoint what's working, what needs fixing, and what comes next.

No fluff. No vague advice. Just clear feedback delivered with a sense of humor and a genuine belief that you can get this right.

  • What writers have said about my feedback:

    “Michael, thank you so much for your encouraging words! I so appreciate your perspectives and critique!”

    “Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your insight and guidance!”

    “I really hope you can continue to give me such wonderful feedback in the 6-month rewrite! Thank you for all your suggestions and guidance throughout this year!”

    Writers I love:

    I’ve admired, studied, and emulated the writing of many of the greats in sci-fi and fantasy, including Robert Howard, H.P. Lovecraft, Fritz Leiber, Michael Moorcock, J.R.R. Tolkien, Lloyd Alexander, Ursula Le Guin, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, Michael Swanwick, Charles Stross, and more.

    I’m also a fan of modern fiction, including “literary” writers like Toni Morrison, Louise Erdrich, and Barbara Kingsolver.

    Other experience:

    Since 2018, I’ve written dozens of short stories through the Deadlines for Writers online writing challenges and worked on my own novel. I also served as a beta reader for writers working on short stories and first drafts and rewrites of novels.

    Fun stuff:

    I also love cats, Cuban coffee, and cool t-shirts.

Manuscript Evaluation

($0.020 per word)

(Minimum word count: 20,000 words—because even the most epic prologue isn’t a full book.)

Looking for in-depth feedback on your manuscript but not quite ready for a full developmental edit? My manuscript evaluation gives you detailed notes on structure, characters, pacing, and how the pieces fit together, at a lower price point than a full edit.

FREE 30-minute Discovery Call

Perfect for writers who:

  • Love their story, but know something feels off and can't figure out why

  • Have taken writing courses and revised, but want an expert's read

  • Are ready to revise but need to know where to focus

  • Want honest feedback without the discouragement

  • Appreciate an editor who actually enjoys the work and isn't afraid to be direct

Why Work With Me?

I'm here to help you get unstuck and find clarity without making the process feel overwhelming.

Writers appreciate my ability to ask the right questions, understand what their story is trying to do, and give feedback that keeps them moving forward rather than spiraling into doubt.

Writing a book is a journey. Let's make sure it doesn't end in frustration.

What You’ll Get

  • Select in-line comments at key moments (not full line-by-line edits) to highlight where scenes succeed, stumble, or need revision

  • A 3-5 page editorial letter analyzing storytelling elements (structure, character arcs, pacing, consistency, voice).

  • Post-evaluation conference (45 minutes) – A one-on-one videocall to discuss feedback and plan next steps. Bring your questions, your ideas, and your beverage of choice.

What’s NOT included: line-editing, proofing, or full-scale rewrites. If you’re looking for sentence-level polish or deep scene-by-scene revision, a full developmental edit is the right option.

The Details

  • Advance Bookings: Lock in your spot now before my rates go up!

  • Genres Accepted: Fantasy & science fiction (including YA), adventure, horror, historical fiction, mystery, and select nonfiction. No poetry or religious fiction. Not sure if your project fits? Just ask.

  • Payment: 50% deposit at booking, remainder due when you submit your manuscript. I accept PayPal, Venmo, and most online payment methods.

  • Cancellations & Rescheduling: Must be done at least 30 days in advance.

  • Turnaround Time: 4-6 weeks from submission (once deposit paid and schedule confirmed). Rush options available on request.

  • Short Projects: Manuscripts under 50,000 words get a slightly shorter critique letter, but the same level of attention.

Got questions? Shoot me an email—I’d love to hear about your project!

Feel like no one wants to hear about your book?

I do! Book a FREE 30-minute call with me and let’s dive in.

Book a Call

FAQs

  • If you’re still writing your first draft, deeply revising scene-by-scene without a full manuscript yet, or feeling stuck before you know the end of your story, you might benefit more from a writing coach or partial manuscript review. The full-manuscript evaluation works best when you have all (or nearly all) of the story in place.

  • Yep. This type of editing service goes by many names, including manuscript assessment, manuscript critique, manuscript appraisal, and editorial evaluation.

  • A manuscript evaluation provides big-picture feedback on your story’s structure, characters, pacing, and overall effectiveness. A developmental edit is more intensive, involving in-depth revisions and detailed in-line comments throughout your manuscript. If you’re looking for guidance but aren’t ready for a full edit, an evaluation is a great starting point!

  • I strongly recommend finishing your draft before submitting it for evaluation. A complete manuscript allows me to give the most helpful feedback on structure, pacing, and character development. If you're stuck mid-draft, you might need a writing coach instead!

  • Turnaround time depends on the manuscript length and my current schedule, but most evaluations take 4–6 weeks. I’ll give you an estimated timeline when we start.

  • Nope! A manuscript evaluation focuses on storytelling elements, not line editing or proofreading. If you need help with sentence-level polish, that comes later in the editing process.

  • That’s what the post‐evaluation video call is for! We’ll go over my feedback, answer your questions, and brainstorm your next steps. You won’t be left staring at your manuscript, wondering what to do next.

  • Absolutely! You can reserve a spot in advance. A 50% deposit secures your booking, with the remainder due when you submit your manuscript.

  • No, because I don’t believe in “terrible” books—only works-in-progress that need guidance. My feedback is honest but constructive, designed to help you improve, not discourage you.