Let's clarify an editorial process that is often underestimated

You've written a book and are thinking about having it analyzed by a publishing professional? Excellent choice! The evaluation of the manuscript is a very valid ally for every writer, but above all for those who publish in self publishing. This is why my colleagues and I chose it as the initial process for each Scrivantes route. In this article we'll explore why and find out how to choose the best evaluator for you.

The importance of manuscript evaluation for self-published authors

When you choose the path of self-publishing, the selection process carried out by the professional readers of the publishing houses is skipped. This can be a great advantage, since it allows you to publish what you really want without having to conform to the catalog and editorial calendar of the publishing house in question, nor to the fashions of the mainstream market.

On the other hand, the absence of a specialized opinion can lead to the release of books that are not yet mature, with structural problems, narrative coherence, style and plot.

That's why the evaluation of the manuscript it's so important for self-published writers. Thanks to this editorial work, you have the opportunity to have your work examined by a professional, who will analyze it from every angle. A step that will allow you to receive an external opinion on your work and, if necessary, Of make the right changes to make it even better.

Evaluator vs beta reader

The evaluation of the manuscript it's not the same as beta reading. The latter is carried out for free by people who are passionate about writing, who read your book to provide you with feedback with their most immediate impressions. The evaluation, Instead, it is carried out by a professional in the publishing sector, who has great experience in the analysis of narrative texts. He will observe the developments of your work not only with the reader's eye, but also with that of the editor, who has to decide whether the book is publishable. For this reason, it has a cost and a different value from beta reading.

These two processes are not mutually exclusive, On the contrary! The ideal is to use both. Two-three beta readers can give you initial feedback on readers' genuine impressions, while the evaluator dissects the book in order to perfect it from every point of view. In this way, you will have an even more complete analysis of your work.

The ingredients of a good manuscript evaluation

But what exactly does our evaluator friend analyze? Various aspects, all fundamental to the success of your story.

Let's see some examples of the focal points that I examine in relation to novels:

• the main plot and the subplots, which must be coherent and well developed, without holes or hasty conclusions;
• the style, the quality of the writing, the fluidity of the narrative, the use of metaphors and the five senses;
• the coherence of tone and the choice of rhythm in relation to the genre, to the story and the scene described;
• the management of points of view;
• the dialogues, to make sure they have the right color, the right context, that are not theatrical and that also make use of paraverbal language;
• the construction and conflicts of the characters;
• the narrative arc of the protagonist;
• the setting and coherence of the historical era;
• lo show, don’t tell, great weakness of beginners;
• the effectiveness of twists and cliffhangers;
• the presence of narrative seeds (if you want to know more about this last topic, you can read the article Creative writing techniques: let's plant the narrative seeds!).

As for the non-fiction (essays, manuals), here are the elements that I analyze with particular attention:

• the objective and the target audience, to verify that the message is suitable for the knowledge level and practical needs of readers;
• the coherence of language and tone of voice with the target;
• the structure of the book (introduction, development, conclusions), the division into chapters, the effectiveness of titles and subtitles;
• the possible use of the Hero's Journey as a storytelling technique;
• the use and provenance of quotations;
• the quality of the sources;
• the correctness of tables, graphs, images and infographics.

Obviously these are not standard points: each card is customized based on the needs of the text and who wrote it.

In the evaluation, Furthermore, I always include some grammar tips, spelling, drafts and formatting tips.

If the card requires it, I can also give tips on setting the title, of the paratexts and the cover.

The evaluator or evaluator, Therefore, like a Sherlock Holmes of fiction, examine every single aspect of the book with a magnifying glass. Look for those macro-problems that compromise the structure of the work and which could not be solved even with good editing, unless you want to have the novel rewritten by the publishers. It provides you with complete feedback and allows you to understand if the text is ready for the editing/correction phase or if there are still some aspects to improve. Elementary, Watson!

How to choose a trained and non-improvised evaluator?

• The first step is to look for information on the professional you would like to contact. Analyze his website and/or his LinkedIn page, check the realities he worked with, download the extracts of the novels he followed during the editing or evaluation phase.
• The evaluator must be able to convey his opinions in a constructive way and respectful of your work. This is an important aspect, because the feedback could be very challenging to accept. If the professional is able to communicate in a clear and balanced way, the author will be able to internalize any useful advice to improve their work.

Lastly, I would like to underline a fundamental point: one of the biggest challenges for an author is to review and correct their work. It is not easy to accept that there are problems to be solved in the book, especially if you are very emotionally involved in the story.

At first it may be difficult to see the critical issues of your book under a magnifying glass, It is true, ma never forget that it is a way to grow as a writer and improve your narrative skills more and more!