Beta Reader,
Editor or Manuscript Appraisal?
Okay, so you have written your best possible version of your book, and now you need someone to make it better. The good news is that there are other people (professionals) who can take your book to the 'next level'. This is before you send it to an agent or publisher
We have some options listed below
Not sure which is for you? I will send you more info
Beta Reader Report: Fresh, Honest Feedback.
Get a 5-8 page report from an avid reader on your manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, plot, characters, and structure. Use this peer feedback to guide your next draft.
As an author, you need fresh eyes and objective feedback from someone who loves books. This report provides an honest peer assessment—it is not a professional appraisal, but rather a detailed report on what a reader thinks. Use this constructive feedback to re-assess, re-write, and ensure your book is engaging and readable for your target audience.
You will receive a comprehensive report (5–8 pages) covering: Overall Impression, Beginning/Hook, Characters, The Middle Build, The Ending, Plot Progression/Argument Development, Language Use, Weaknesses, and Strengths.
Please note that 90% of this fee goes to the reader. It is also a long job - with most readers having to read your book twice before writing a report.
Fresh Eyes:
Honest reader feedback for objective insights.
Targeted Review:
Notes on hook, characters, plot, and ending.
Find Flaws:
Pinpoint structural issues and pacing problems.
Action Plan:
Guides concrete re-writes for the next draft.
Assess Readability:
See how well your story flows for readers.
Cost-Effective:
Affordable insight before professional editing.
Beta Reader Report
USD
400
Get a 5-8 page report from an avid reader on your manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, plot, characters, and structure. Not an appraisal, it's honest peer feedback to guide your next draft.
Valid for 6 months
Professional Manuscript Appraisal.
Get a high-level, objective assessment from a qualified editor. Improve your full draft's plot, structure, and characters before editing or submitting. Essential for publishability! Southern African authors get a 50% discount, see code below.
Before you spend time and money on editing, or risk rejection by submitting to a publisher, a full manuscript critique is essential. This is a professional, high-level structural assessment of your completed draft, focusing on commercial viability. A qualified editor gives you an objective outsider's perspective and provides a full written report with suggestions for large-scale changes to make your manuscript better and more publishable.
This structural assessment focuses on strengths and weaknesses across the entire manuscript, including: Plot, Characterisation, Dialogue, Setting, Structure, Pace, and Overall Commercial Read. (Note: This is a high-level structural assessment, not a line-by-line edit.)
Professional Eye:
Assessment by a qualified, commercial editor.
Structural Focus:
Critiques plot, character, dialogue, and pace.
Objective View:
Fresh, unbiased perspective on your full draft.
Actionable Plan:
Clear suggestions for large-scale improvements.
Save Time/Money:
Don't promote a book that isn't ready.
Increase Value:
Improve your MS for greater publishability.
Professional Manuscript Appraisal
USD
1 800
Get a high-level, objective assessment from a qualified editor. Improve your full draft's plot, structure, and characters before editing or submitting. Essential for publishability!
Valid for 3 months
A developmental or senior structural editor
This is an editor or professional author/ writer who is going to take your entire book and fix it FOR YOU. We can liken this to a hybrid between a ghostwriter and a senior editor.
Who should chose this? You have written a book but you have run out of steam, don't want to do another rewrite or just want to hand it all over to a professional to do it all for you. No problem. That is what we are here for. It is your idea and you have put it down on paper as best you can, but it's not working and you need someone to make it work.
This process will take 12 weeks depending on the length and the quality of your existing book and what needs to be done to it. We will match your book with the right editor, who is a specialist in that field. You will hand over your manuscript and expect it to be fixed, improved, substantially changed and entire sections rewritten at times. This may include conducting more interview, writing in missing pieces, asking you to source more copy, moving the entire book around, re-arranging the chapters, creating an argument/ angle / thread and running it through the book.
This editor will also do traditional editing functions and you can see what those are in Package 2 below. This is a close collaboration between you (as author) and an editor (as your co-author). This is a far lower price than having a ghostwriter and you have done the bulk of the initial work. They do all the finishing work and make this book a professional and well-written product.
YOU WILL NEED
Your full manuscript in Word and a book proposal (which is your overview we need that for context).
On acceptance we need an initial meeting between a few parties to go over over all publishing goals and ideas.
A second feedback meeting to discuss ideas and changes
8 -16 weeks to allow the changes.
There will be ongoing contact and conversation with you and the editor.
You will get a completed book returned to you to review.
We allow one more second cycle of revisions and changes after you have accepted and read the book.
COST
60,000 - 80,000 words and under from $2,500 (or R45,000 ZAR)
30,000 – 60,000 words $1,200 (or R28,000 ZAR)
Over 80,000 words you will add on the additional reate as per above.
Southern African authors get a 20% discount
Beta Reader Report
USD
400
Get a 5-8 page report from an avid reader on your manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, plot, characters, and structure. Not an appraisal, it's honest peer feedback to guide your next draft.
Valid for 6 months
A developmental or senior structural editor
This is an editor or professional author/ writer who is going to take your entire book and fix it FOR YOU. We can liken this to a hybrid between a ghostwriter and a senior editor.
Who should chose this? You have written a book but you have run out of steam, don't want to do another rewrite or just want to hand it all over to a professional to do it all for you. No problem. That is what we are here for. It is your idea and you have put it down on paper as best you can, but it's not working and you need someone to make it work.
This process will take 12 weeks depending on the length and the quality of your existing book and what needs to be done to it. We will match your book with the right editor, who is a specialist in that field. You will hand over your manuscript and expect it to be fixed, improved, substantially changed and entire sections rewritten at times. This may include conducting more interview, writing in missing pieces, asking you to source more copy, moving the entire book around, re-arranging the chapters, creating an argument/ angle / thread and running it through the book.
This editor will also do traditional editing functions and you can see what those are in Package 2 below. This is a close collaboration between you (as author) and an editor (as your co-author). This is a far lower price than having a ghostwriter and you have done the bulk of the initial work. They do all the finishing work and make this book a professional and well-written product.
YOU WILL NEED
Your full manuscript in Word and a book proposal (which is your overview we need that for context).
On acceptance we need an initial meeting between a few parties to go over over all publishing goals and ideas.
A second feedback meeting to discuss ideas and changes
8 -16 weeks to allow the changes.
There will be ongoing contact and conversation with you and the editor.
You will get a completed book returned to you to review.
We allow one more second cycle of revisions and changes after you have accepted and read the book.
COST
60,000 - 80,000 words and under from $2,500 (or R45,000 ZAR)
30,000 – 60,000 words $1,200 (or R28,000 ZAR)
Over 80,000 words you will add on the additional reate as per above.
Southern African authors get a 20% discount
Beta Reader Report
USD
400
Get a 5-8 page report from an avid reader on your manuscript's strengths, weaknesses, plot, characters, and structure. Not an appraisal, it's honest peer feedback to guide your next draft.
Valid for 6 months
South African authors 50% Off
As part of our commitment to fostering local talent, the Writing Room is proud to offer a substantial bursary to all authors and writers currently residing in South Africa. If you are a South African resident, you are eligible to receive 50% off the standard international mentorship fee. The ZAR pricing, reflecting this automatic bursary, will be clearly presented during the application and payment stages. This ensures local authors have accessible, world-class mentorship.
Use code ZARauthors_50