Why should you pay good money for an assessment?

Find out here.

What will you get?

Our assessment will be an honest evaluation of your writing, and include comments on plot, characterisation, themes, style, and publication potential. We make practical suggestions for improving those aspects of your manuscript that are in need of extra attention.

• Assessments are generally 10-15 pages long for a full-length novel.
• Non-fiction work varies considerably, and assessments are focused on providing comprehensive feedback on style, subject, expression, organisation, and publication potential.
• We include a separate letter to publishers for manuscripts that we judge to be publication-worthy.

How much will a full assessment cost?

(these prices are valid only until October 2010)

• Children's picture story: $200.00
• Partial assessment (under 20,000 words): $250.00
• Under 40,000 words: $475.00
• 40,000-80,000 words: $550.00
• 80,000-100,000 words: $600.00
• 100,000+ words: $600.00 plus $3 per every 1,000 words extra.

overseas clients—please pay in Australian currency or add $15 for bank fees.

Please include cheque or money order with the manuscript, or use electronic web banking to pay directly to 

BSB 066164 Account 10184776 (Please quote your last name)

Swift code for overseas payments: CTBAAU2S

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What should you send?

• Your manuscript, printed on one side of the page only and numbered (perfectionists can consult our hints for presentation)
  • OR e-mail your document as a Word attachment.We will print out a copy at 30 cents per page.
• A self-addressed red postal bag for its return (don't waste money on Express Post or Registered Post: they are no faster.)
  • OR ask us to e-mail the report to you. We will recycle the manuscript.
• A brief letter stating that the manuscript is your intellectual property and you want it assessed, with any specific instructions or concerns that you have.
• Payment by
  • cheque
  • money order
  • electronic transfer to BSB 066164 A/c # 10184776 (Commonwealth account, The Book Doctor. Please add your last name) to cover the cost of assessment (see above for prices)
• A rough word count
   

If you include an e-mail address we will notify you when your manuscript arrives.

Where do you send it?

Assessments
The Book Doctor
7 The Vale
Willetton, WA 6155
Australia

Or, if you are taking up our electronic service (we print out a copy of your ms at 30 cents per page and e-mail the report to you) send your ms and instructions here.

Got a question? Please ask us.

We consider having a manuscript professionally assessed an essential step on the way to publication, whether the writer is experienced or novice.

I just wanted to let you know some good news that I have had. You will remember me as the author of "The Starship Superia", a book that you assessed for me in 2005 and again in 2007....applying many of your suggestions to improve my writing, I made significant progress. After the 2007 edition, you said that I had discovered a plot that works, but pointed out numerous weaknesses in my writing - especially the fact that the main character didn't solve enough problems on his own. In 2008....I found the time to re-write the Starship again. Once again, I was careful to apply your recommendations for the improvement of my writing. I found that I was getting better all the time.

I entered "The Starship Superia" in the 2009 Storylines Tom Fitzgibbon Award and have just been informed that, while I did not win the competition, my story was shortlisted and Scholastic have retained the manuscript to consider it for publication. This is an enormously exciting moment for me, at age 25, because it marks the first time that my work is seriously being considered by a publishing house.

I just wanted to express my gratitude to you for your services in 2005 and 2007. Although I paid for them, I still consider that you went above and beyond the call of duty and really helped me to identify weaknesses in my writing. I am getting better all the time and it is in no small way because of your input. -Michael

Michael's novel will be appearing in September 2010 as The four Powers of Daren Saner.

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