Why Every Author Needs a Manuscript Evaluation Before Publishing

Megan Joseph
May 11
2 min read

Updated: Jun 13

Publishing a book is exciting—but rushing to publish a draft that hasn’t been professionally evaluated? That’s a risk too many authors regret.

At Joseph Editorial Services, I’ve seen it all: plot holes no one noticed, characters that felt “off,” and beautifully written pages that still didn’t deliver. That’s why I created Draft 2 Done™—a manuscript evaluation service designed to catch the cracks before they become 1-star reviews.

✅ What is a Manuscript Evaluation?

It’s an expert assessment of your draft—before you invest in a full edit, cover design, or marketing plan. I analyze your book at the developmental, line, and copyediting levels and provide detailed feedback on what’s working, what’s not, and how to fix it.

It’s not editing—it’s clarity, confidence, and direction.

🚨 Why You Can’t Skip It

Many first-time (and even seasoned) authors go straight from writing to formatting. The problem? Most books that flop don’t fail because of typos—they fail because of:

Weak story arcs
Underdeveloped characters
Inconsistent tone or structure
A confusing or underwhelming opening

Even the most talented writer needs outside eyes. Your friends may be supportive. Beta readers may cheer you on. But neither are trained to analyze a manuscript for what the industry demands.