What is an Alpha Assessment?
- a generalized review of the manuscript with commentary in the document itself, pointing out critical issues
- and a brief summarizing report with recommendations for next steps
This review is not detailed or exhaustive.
It is about general impressions with the goal of pointing the author toward some critical issues that need to be sorted or reassessed to make their story stronger.
Who might need this service?
- Some authors like to have an Alpha Reader on their Support Team to give early feedback on the WIP (Work in Progress). A professional editor can be a big help at this stage.
- Or an author might want to get a fresh assessment of a previously published story that isn't getting the love they expected from reviewers. I can evaluate what might have gone amiss or what might need a bit of tweaking to get the story back on track.
It makes sense to hire a professional editor to be your alpha reader. I offer much more than just my opinions on what I like or don't about your story. Besides assessing the merits of your story and structure, I often suggest general writing craft tips as well, which will give you a leg up in your self-editing and save you time and money down the road when it's time to hire your line and copy editor.
In my report I will address:
- story opening
- characterization
- pacing and tension
- motivation and believability
- confusions and inconsistencies
- writing technique
- reader impact
- afterglow
If you think your story, either a new or previously published one, would benefit from this kind of caring, professional scrutiny, I would be happy to work with you. I will read your story and write up a review, often in just a week.
As part of this service I can assess what I think your next step should be in terms of editing, as well. And if you hire me for another service as a result of this Assessment, I will apply the fee for the Alpha Assessment toward the cost of the additional service.
As part of this service I can assess what I think your next step should be in terms of editing, as well. And if you hire me for another service as a result of this Assessment, I will apply the fee for the Alpha Assessment toward the cost of the additional service.
See Fee Calculation page for explanation of how fees are reached. Fees are calculated in US Dollars.
