Citation Guidelines
Author Permission Letter
Gooder Grammar

Manuscript Evaluation Form

Evaluating a manuscript is very subjective. One person may think it almost perfect.  Another sees it riddled with problems.  For the publisher, the review process and its outcome is determined by some very simple guidelines such as readability, subject matter (is it the kind of subject the publisher is looking for?), and marketability.  This example manuscript evaluation form covers the key areas a typical reviewer uses, and will give you a head start on what the publisher is looking for.

Use several people to review and evaluate your work and find the weaknesses and strengths of your content according to the big categories that count.  (This is not the time to obsess over the end steps of proofreading.) Find out if your style and tone resonate with the reader.  See if your theme is clear and your audience well defined.  Your reviewer can't represent the needs of a publishing house, but by following the format in the manuscript evaluation form, he or she can offer constructive criticisms.  So listen.  Find out what improvements you can make before submitting your manuscript to a publisher or agent.

Date reviewed:

Working title and subtitle:

Author(s):

Reviewer:

Theme/Focus of book: (Also state the thesis statement.)

Market or target Audience: (Who will be reading this?)

Brief description of the text (200 words or less):

Content quality—Informative, factual, compelling, original:

Style/Readability/Appeal/Tone and color:

Advantages/Strengths/Unique power of book:

Competitive uniqueness (What books is it similar to?  What does this book offer that other books don't?):

Weaknesses and concerns with content, style, and relevancy:

Development ideas and suggested improvements:

Recommendation (why it should or should not be published):

Next Steps: