Opening for manuscript appraisals

Monday, August 9, 2021 Permalink

I’m always loath to mention new plans or ideas in case they don’t come to fruition. But, here goes… *clears throat*

I’m going to start doing manuscript appraisals, with a focus on crime fiction and thrillers.

The decision has come about after many MANY discussions with writing friends, a business coach, and a friend in the publishing industry. (And much overthinking!)

I’ve been doing some editing work for a while but now, thanks predominantly to study undertaken in my Masters, I feel nervous about copy or line editing. I’m pretty anal about grammar and know when a sentence does, or doesn’t, work but formally studying copy editing seriously screwed with my mind and I find myself overthinking the use of semi-colons, hyphens and ’em’ or ‘en’ dashes. And the like.

‘You’d be much better at structural editing anyway,’ my friend, writer Jo Tracey said when I was whinging talking to her.

She commented that my book reviews seem to hone in on plot holes, issues with voice or point of view, character inconsistency and plot alternatives.

And then a few weeks ago another friend visited, who does online marketing type stuff and business coaching. I was talking to her about ‘what comes next’. As it happened, she’d recently been working her own book and had a manuscript assessment done and suggested appraising or assessing draft manuscripts (novels) – with a focus on crime fiction or thrillers – would be perfect for me.

manuscript appraisals

The idea planted I spoke to a friend in the publishing industry. I wanted to ask her about the viability. I’ve now got formal qualifications supporting my obsessive reading and book reviewing. ‘Could she see this working?’ I asked her. And she said yes. She actually went further with more ideas but I’m starting with the manuscript appraisal idea.

I’ve no unrealistic expectation I’ll be contracted by publishing houses. Rather I see myself working with writers planning to pitch to publishers but wanting feedback on their manuscripts. Or with authors planning to self-publish.

Manuscript appraisals consider the characters, the setting and the plot. They look at the narrative arc and the pace of that narrative. It’s also important to think about the readers – their expectations and what they might, or might not, know. Characters’ voices and points of view need to be consistent. Manuscript assessments look at the big picture and what works and what doesn’t. I’m focussing on crime fiction because it’s my passion and well, because I’ve read shitloads of it.

I think some part-time or casual work is coming my way while I set this whole thing up. I’ll need to rethink my website (or have a new one) and start touting for business. And it may not come to fruition, but I’m feeling quite excited about it all.

And I haven’t been excited by… well, by much at all for a long time.

Thoughts? Suggestions? Favourite Olympic moment?

* Image – Unsplash – Agence Olloweb
40 Comments
  • nessville
    August 9, 2021

    This does sound super exciting and perfect for you. Congratulations!

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Oh thank you, but I need to make sure I follow-through for once!

  • Jo
    August 9, 2021

    I’m excited for you! You have the perfect skills for assessments.

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Oh thanks, and for your encouragement as well. Fingers crossed I pursue this and it comes off.

  • leisaflatley
    August 9, 2021

    Deb – this is perfect for you. I think it’s a great use of both your skillset and also your passion. I can’t wait to follow your journey. I’ll be cheering you along the way.

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Thanks Leisa. As I’ve been doing these publishing and editing subjects in my Masters I’ve pondered how I can utilise them – other than working with a publisher, which isn’t really an option as most job opportunities are the capital cities.

  • lilianmagill
    August 9, 2021

    Wonderful Deb, excited for you.

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Thanks Lilian – that’s much appreciated.

  • Theresa Smith Writes
    August 9, 2021

    Brilliant! Best of luck for it!

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Thanks Theresa. It’s something I’d really love I just need to damned well do it!

      • Theresa Smith Writes
        August 9, 2021

        Let me know how you go. I’ve always thought I’d love to something like this as well but with historical fiction.

        • Debbish
          August 10, 2021

          Maybe down the track we can start our own business. All with individual specialities!

          • Theresa Smith Writes
            August 10, 2021

            See, now you’re thinking like an entrepreneur! Love it!

          • Debbish
            August 10, 2021

            World domination next.

  • Sue from Women Living Well After 50
    August 9, 2021

    That sounds great Deb! You have a path to follow and it does sound right for you. How exciting!

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      It’s a nice change – to have a plan. (Of sorts!) It’s not really happened much over the past few years.

  • Jennifer Jones
    August 9, 2021

    Great to see you feeling so excited for the future Deb. Your plans sound perfect for you. Sending you all my best wishes for success.

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Thank you Jenifer, they’re very much appreciated. x

  • leannelc
    August 9, 2021

    Well, it does sound very exciting and definitely right up your alley. I hope it all pans out and turns into something really enjoyable (and lucrative) for you in the years ahead. Good luck!

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      Thanks Leanne. If it keeps me off the streets (and away from Centrelink) and is something I enjoy I will be very happy!

  • Sanch @ Sanch Writes
    August 9, 2021

    OMG this is exciting news Deb!! I think this is perfect for you and while I don’t write crime/thriller myself, I know a couple of friends who do.

    • Debbish
      August 9, 2021

      It’d be great if it worked out Sanch. I just also need to work on my imposter syndrome issues!

  • Lydia C. Lee
    August 9, 2021

    I love that you are doing this! This is such great news!! Good luck on getting the news out there.

  • Lydia C. Lee
    August 9, 2021

    No imposter syndrome – you’ve the experience, and you read a lot and that whole masters business. Why not you?

    • Debbish
      August 10, 2021

      I guess. I’m not very good at asking that question. Usually I focussing on the ‘why me’ (or who do I think I am?).

  • Debbie
    August 9, 2021

    This sounds perfect for you Deb, all the best with your new project!

  • Tracey (Carpe Librum)
    August 9, 2021

    This sounds exciting Deb, so congratulations on having the courage to pursue your dreams 😀 You can do it!

    • Debbish
      August 10, 2021

      Thank you so much Tracey! Your good wishes are very much appreciated. x

  • Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid
    August 10, 2021

    I’m excited for you – you’re going to ace it. There is nothing better than doing what you love (and in this case, what you’re really good at!)

  • Natalie
    August 10, 2021

    Sounds like a very good fit, Deb. Congratulations and all the best! #lifethisweek

  • Tracey (Carpe Librum)
    August 10, 2021

    Count me in too! I’ve edited 5 books now 🙂

  • BoomingOn
    August 11, 2021

    Well done on taking this step! Are you linked into your local writers’ centre? It would be really valuable for making connections and promoting your services. Many years ago I worked at the ACT Writers Centre (no apostrophe in their name, which I always disagreed with!!) and that sort of connection and networking is a key component of what they do. Good luck with it. I rather like editing myself and have come to love em dashes. Copy editing might even be my fave.

    • Debbish
      August 11, 2021

      Ha, yes I know the ‘no possessive apostrophe in names – writers centres and schools’ thing is weird.

      I’ve let my Qld Writers Centre membership lapse but on their mailing list as well as Australian Writers Centre. (I did a zillion QWC courses in the first decade of the 2000s!)

      And thanks!

  • Denyse Whelan Blogs
    August 12, 2021

    WELL DONE (yes, shouting!). What this post is all about is possibilities and thinking that things can happen. You are already streets ahead in using your reviewing skills and talents. As Jo said, you do reviews so well. I have been in awe of how you nail them. I took found learning about structural grammar and more as part of my P/G Cert in TESOL very hard. Like you, I would ‘over think’ and was relieved to have passed the subject.

    I love the way in which you are stepping forward with this. The study is done. The experience is there. You have consulted woith those who know: industry, authors, friends.

    I like Christine’s point about being part of the official writing pages/groups with a view to networking more than anything.

    And yes to a stand alone website and for you only. I would be very wary unless you felt they were a good fit, of allowing anyone else to share that space. Are you registering a business name? Suggest this would be a plan too. Get advice from someone within the industry or maybe a friend who is a coach etc

    SO HAPPY you can see this for yourself.

    Thanks for linking up for Life This Week. Next week’s optional prompt is Shopping and it will be interesting for me to decide what to write! So much has changed in #lockdown this time round. Hope to see you link up too. Cheers, Denyse.

    • Debbish
      August 16, 2021

      Thanks Denyse. Of course now I’m doubting myself already and I’ve not even started…

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