My Checklist for Manuscript Evaluations

What I'm looking for in the first read.

Each month, I offer a more expansive look into the craft and mindset behind writing a novel. If you'd like to read today’s full post, along with access to the archive (including topics like “10 Mistakes I See as a Developmental Editor” and “The Revision Questions I Ask That Change Everything”), you’re warmly invited to become a paid subscriber. I’d love to have you in that circle of support.

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Let’s talk about that first evaluation

I know that feeling when you're deep in your manuscript, wondering if what you've written actually works. You've poured your heart onto the page, but that little voice keeps whispering, "Is this good enough? Will readers care?"

Here's what I've learned after years of reading (and editing!) so many manuscripts: that instinctive "something's not quite right" feeling you get usually points to the same three missing pieces. When I can identify all three elements in a story, I feel that wonderful sense of being in capable hands. When one is missing, I start to feel adrift.

Today, I’m sharing my first-read checklist with you…