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Full manuscript editing now booking into 2026

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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
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Rachel Rowlands, Editor & Author
detailed professional analysis

Manuscript assessment

A manuscript assessment provides you with:

  • Actionable editorial feedback, covering key areas like plot, structure, characterisation, setting/world-building, and writing craft.
  • Comprehensive guidance on major revisions you can implement to strengthen your manuscript.
  • Key knowledge on your target market and how your book fits in – with detailed editing solutions to meet those reader expectations.
  • Clear strategies and resources to help you move forward based on your publishing goals.
what you get

Service includes…


You’ll receive a comprehensive editorial report (10–20 pages) focusing on key big-picture elements of your manuscript: plot, structure, characters, setting/world-building, your target market, and any other specific areas you may need help with. The report will be constructive and solutions-focused, with examples from your manuscript included to guide you in implementing feedback.

I’ll also send you a manuscript revision guide and a customised resource sheet to help you with any particular craft areas you might be struggling with.

Follow-up questions are taken via email, and I’ll look at a revision plan for your next draft (maximum 5,000 words) within two months of the assessment.

What’s the difference between developmental editing and a manuscript assessment?

I know this can be confusing – so I’ve written an entire blog post to explain!

Both these services are forms of developmental editing. The key difference between developmental editing and a manuscript assessment is the intensity. They both focus on the big picture, but a developmental edit is extremely hands-on. It’s a far deeper and more intense service, which may include direct edits or changes and lots of comments.

A manuscript assessment covers the same big-picture areas in the form of a comprehensive editorial report. It’s a detailed, thorough evaluation, but leaves out the more intense aspects of a fuller dev edit. It’s ideal for authors who want a thorough, professional overview without the level of intensity involved in a developmental edit. Perfect for authors who worry about being overwhelmed by too much feedback!

still unsure?

What other writers are saying

She is simply amazing

The manuscript assessment I received from Rachel was extraordinarily helpful. Some of the feedback confirmed suspicions I had, which as a new writer helped me gain confidence in my own inner critic. But much more of the assessment addressed aspects I had not considered or those I thought I had worked out well. Rachel provided explanations as well as specific examples from my manuscript on each area of strength and weakness. That made the feedback much more impactful, as I could see the passages/lines and immediately understood her points. She even provided some excellent resources to help me improve on some of these areas.

I was blown away by Rachel’s thoughtful and thorough work and there is no doubt that my novel will be incalculably stronger because of Rachel’s feedback. She is simply amazing. If you are a writer in search of professional editing services, you found them. End of search.
The Ruiner by Wes Cook
wes cook
Author of The Ruiner

An injection of energy

Rachel’s manuscript assessment taught me so much, and unlocked a completely new way of looking at and understanding what did and didn’t work in my manuscript. Her notes were incredibly thorough, thoughtful and detailed, returned in a well-structured document with constructive ideas for fixing the big issues. I felt such an injection of energy after working with her, it has been invaluable for me.
Rachel Dauncey
YA author

Inspiring

Your manuscript assessment was exactly what I was hoping for. You confirmed some thoughts I had, raised plenty of new ones and helped me see where things were working where otherwise I had doubts. My head was nodding throughout and I found your suggestions/explanations inspiring. I can’t wait to get to work. Thank you so much.
Charlie kelly
Romance author

I feel much more immersed

Thank you so much for your feedback – it’s really helped me cut away all the fat from the story and streamline it, and to really focus on the story that I want to tell and what I want readers to get out of it. I’d struggled to explain my book to others and I see now that this was because I was throwing too many plotlines and characters at the wall and seeing what would stick. I’ve re-written around 50,000 words from scratch and it already feels so much better and is more snappy than the earlier draft. I feel much more immersed as I feel I know the characters and the world better than before.
Flames of Rebellion by Aaron S. Jones
aaron s. jones
Fantasy author
Website | Twitter

Book your manuscript assessment

    Member of the Editorial Freelancers Association

    Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! Things I've been reading during surgery recovery! ✨️

This Homeward Ache by @amybaiklee – a beautifully written book on why we feel a mysterious sense of yearning/longing for something that always feels just out of our reach. Reminiscent of C.S Lewis's non-fiction writings (but better, in my opinion!), this book explores the longing for a home beyond the world we inhabit. It was gorgeous. Profound, thought-provoking, and very comforting to me.

A Sign of Affection by @morishita.suu – I love this manga series! And manga is ideal for reading after surgery since it's heavy on art, and not too wordy. This series has the most adorable and wholesome love story I've ever read. We follow college students Itsuomi and Yuki. Itsuomi is a keen traveller and multilingual and Yuki is deaf. These two help one another navigate life and challenges as they fall in love. It's very sweet.

--

What have you been reading lately? 📚

I hope to get back to writing soon myself too!
    Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on Sunny and peaceful walk with the husband today on my lunch break. 🌲🍃 Some much-needed trees and blue skies to soothe the soul!
    A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛ A reminder for those who need it! ✨️🐈‍⬛️ This is something I've been reminded of constantly lately as I've been facing a lot of personal challenges and I've sort of distanced myself from some elements of social media as a result. 

There is so much we don't share online. I value my privacy, so I often don't talk about my personal struggles – that's not to say they don't exist.

Remember, when you look at social media, the cliche really does apply that you're seeing a highlight reel. You might be sitting there comparing yourself and wondering why you're not as successful or having as much fun as that person, but beneath all of that, they could be grieving, or dealing with family issues, housing problems, health problems, loneliness – anything! 

Even relationships on social media can feel manufactured. Liking posts isn't the same as connection. This is part of why I made the cat café series so focused on places where people can come together. We need them. It's not easy to find places like that in real life, but I think it's important we try. Even if it's just a book club, a writing group, a class, or a favourite café.

I'm sharing this in case anyone needs to hear it too. And I hope whatever challenges you are facing, you have some support (even if just in the form of a furry friend). ❤️🐱
    Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer Have you visited the cat café this spring/summer yet? I heard the baker Clem has been whipping up some delicious cakes... 🐈☕️🧁

(Yes this post is an excuse for me to post a photo I took in April during the time of the cherry blossoms flowering, then promptly forgot to share... 😂)

#cakeoffatthecatcafe #rachelrowlands #romancebooks #romancereads #sweetromance #catsagram
    What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catp What Haru would look like if she lived at the Catpurrcino Cat Café... ☕️🐈‍⬛️ 

On a more serious note, I'll soon be revising the third book in the cat café series! I'm having surgery next month, so revisions are not going to be as quick as I would have liked them to be, and I've had to rearrange many of my editing projects (if you are a client of mine, the support and understanding has been SO appreciated ❤️). I was feeling overwhelmed about it all this morning as I was taking Haru to her yearly health check at the vet. She hates going and was not happy with me for being put in her carrier! But when we got home? She was so happy to be back and immediately bounced back, nuzzling my hand and being her usual sweet, happy self. (Before heading off for a nap...)

Cats can teach us so many life lessons about bouncing back! She reminded me of that today. I can't bring her to hospital with me but I can try to be more Haru... Maybe a topic for a future newsletter... 😉😂

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