What is a manuscript critique, review or evaluation? With Sophie Playle

Sophie Playle explains what a manuscript critique is and how it benefits fiction writers.

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What is a manuscript critique?

A critique sounds a bit daunting, akin to the word criticise – but it's not a harsh deconstruction. Essentially, a critique looks at the big-picture elements of a manuscript (plot, pace, characters, voice, etc.) and offers a constructive analysis.

The critique is offered as a report, which is usually between 5 and 15 pages (though I have written reports of up to 25 pages) depending on how many issues I feel need to be addressed, or depending on the length of the manuscript.

​It doesn't include any sentence-based editing, though if there is a recurring issue throughout the manuscript, I would flag it up within the report as a general area to look at.

​The aim is to show where the writing succeeds and where it could be improved, to better inform the writer's next step.

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What else is a manuscript critique called?

It's often called a manuscript appraisal or manuscript review, but I favour the term manuscript critique because what I provide goes beyond an assessment, also offering possible ways to address the issues I might highlight.

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Who are the clients?

Most of my critiquing clients are writers on a journey to self-publication, or writers who want to increase their chances of representation for traditional publication.

Generally, a client will be interested in making sure the core of their novel is as good as it can be, and looking for external professional confirmation and/or suggestions for development.

This type of assessment comes before any copy-editing or proofreading, and can be used to test ideas (with a sample of the novel plus a synopsis) or strengthen complete novels when the writer feels there is more work to be done but is not sure how to go about it.

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The benefits of a manuscript critique

A critiquing service is not needed for everyone, but it can help a writer:

• gain a professional outside perspective
  
• help them develop their manuscript
  
• provide confirmation of its quality
  
• help inform the next step of their project.
  

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Those next steps might be:
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• worst-case scenario: put the novel in a drawer and chalk it up to valuable experience
• best-case scenario: immediately send the project out to agents and publishers!
• most likely scenario: the steps to take in the next draft.

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Is hiring a professional necessary?

Often, beta readers (friends, colleagues, etc.) can give a writer a useful big-picture perspective on their writing.

​However, a professional critique goes much deeper – with the added benefit of an honest appraisal (something that might be skewed by kindness from friends!).

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Impact on the writer

Writers are often told that they need a thick skin – and that certainly comes in useful with a critique.

Though I attempt to critique with the utmost sensitivity and respect, I feel the biggest injustice to a writer would be to offer them hollow advice and empty praise.

Sometimes the assessment can be a bit of a shock to the writer, so it's important to remember that the critique is designed to improve the project, and not to negatively criticise the writer as an individual.

It's often very difficult to accept that there might be some fundamental issues with a manuscript that will need substantive work, so when a writer sends their novel to be critiqued, I would say: be prepared for some more hard work ahead!

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