Manuscript Evaluation (Bookworks Ltd.)

I first evaluate a novel or nonfiction manuscript for writing style and for the writer’s storytelling ability. A writer must have an innate talent, rough as it may be, which organizes material from a deeper level to create a cohesive literary work.  I can get a good sense of the author’s ability from reading only one or two chapters. As the Bear & Company acquisition editor, I had only enough time to read two-pages for an initial assessment on each of 5,000 yearly submissions.