Submission package review

The submission package review is a service that looks at your query letter, 1-page synopsis and up to 10,000 words double-spaced to assess whether your package is ready to send to an agent or editor.

The focus of the submission package review is on developmental editing: looking at both the macro- and micro- level of story and scene to determine what’s working well and areas to improve further. The service is intended to provide you with a view of the story’s marketability, as well as a review of how well your current pitch is working.

Is this right for me?

This report is one of our more specialist reports – we do not recommend this for beginner authors with a partial or first-draft manuscript. Instead the submission package review is best suited for:

  • Writers who are thinking about approaching agents/the trade;
  • Writers who have approached agents and feel something in their submission package isn't working;
  • Authors who would like the view of an editor who will read the MS as an agent would, with a particular focus on marketability;
  • Writers who would like editorial feedback but don't require a full report.

What will I get?

Our editor will provide you with marked-up copies of your package, as well as a 1-2 page report. The report will focus on the first 10,000 words, along with sections on the query letter and synopsis.

This will be accompanied by some of our in-house documents on self-editing and Show not Tell, which we find are helpful for all writers at all levels.

How does the process work?

If you're interested in this service, please contact the office, and a member of the team will assess your work (this is complimentary) and send over your quote for the Submission Package Review.

Once you've paid, we'll ask you to fill out a short book questionnaire, and will then assign your materials to an editor who would be the best fit based on their experience in your genre and your manuscript's needs. Your editor will spend 4-6 weeks completing the review, and we'll then proofread it before sending it back to you.

How long does it take?

Our reports take 4-6 weeks to complete, and we'll always keep you apprised of any delay to this. If you're looking for a report with a quicker turnaround time, we do offer a two-week speed read turnaround service billed at a higher rate. Please contact the office to arrange this.