Reviewing Your Manuscript
Pre-publication Manuscript Reviews
Before submitting your work to a literary agent, a publishing house or, more importantly, before you self-publish your work, have it evaluated by CBR’s team of reviewers.
Our reviewers will give your work a chance to be read objectively and with professionalism one more time before you expose it to the world’s readers and media professionals.
Many of the authors who have submitted their books for review were alerted to overlooked glitches such as inconsistencies with point-of-view, story-line trajectory, or inconsistent character development. We have found plot holes that needed plugging, story pacing that needed to speed up, and overworked cliches that managed to sneak their way into the work.
In the pre-digital age of publishing, traditional publishers had at least 40 pairs of eyes evaluating a galley before it went to press. How many objective, unbiased editors have read and evaluated your book?
Our professional editorial staff evaluates each manuscript for the following attributes:
- Is the story compelling (content is king/queen)
- Professionalism of editing and formatting
- Characterization
- Pacing
- Continuity of story-line
- Satisfying ending (not necessarily “happy”)
- Intriguing opening
- Uniqueness of story
- Writing craft
- Plotting craft
- and other criteria that is genre specific such as red herrings in mysteries, suspense building technique in thrillers, etc.
What We do and How We Do It:
- Manuscripts are reviewed within their specific genres, although genre blending is encouraged.
- We understand that readers of different genres are looking for different types of reading experiences.
- What we do is an overview of your manuscript. Plain and simple: Is it ready to publish?
- We select reviewers for their specific genre experience and knowledge.
- CBR does not place restrictions on dates. We accept current works along with those that have been stored away in a drawer for decades.
- Evaluations are at least 350-to-450 words
- Expect your manuscript’s evaluation in six-to-nine weeks after submission. You may order expedited service for an extra fee.
- We evaluate all genres, fiction and non-fiction.
Who Will Review My Book?
Our reviewers are spread across the U.S. and come from diverse backgrounds and are experienced in the publishing arena as editors, journalists, university professors, librarians, booksellers, literary conference leaders, book distributors, published authors, several incognito professional book reviewers for newspapers and magazines, and even a few literary agents. When we receive a manuscript submission at CBR’s home office, we assign the best editor for that particular manuscript.
Isn’t your manuscript worth it?
A Chanticleer Manuscript Review may, indeed, be the first step in placing your work into the hands of a literary agent, or a publishing house representative.
Testimonial from Brian L.,
I’m incredibly appreciative of the many positive and helpful things the reviewer had to say in the manuscript overview…The feedback is terrific and more comprehensive than any other I’ve received….Many thanks, again! Brian L.
What happens when the CBR evaluation of my manuscript is complete?
- We will email you your professionally evaluated written manuscript overview.
- The assessment of your manuscript is yours to use to the best advantage of your work.
- You or your agent may quote blurbs or use the entire manuscript review for promoting your manuscript to publishers. All that is required is that you give Chanticleer Book Reviews attribution for the review or any blurb of the review that is used in print, on-line, or audio-visual media. Remember, the CBR manuscript review is yours to promote your book.
- We want your feedback about the evaluation.
In 2013, Two Million New Titles Will Vie for the Readers’ Attention.
A Chanticleer manuscript overview may, indeed, be the first step in placing your work into the hands of a literary agent or a publishing house representative.
How Will Your Manuscript Grab Attention?
Media professionals, who are always looking for the next bestseller, cult classic, or blockbuster, depend on unbiased reviews to help them sift through the million-plus volumes of new manuscripts that hit the market every year. From literary agents’ slush pile readers to publishers’ first readers, reviews are what most media professionals depend on to sift through myriad of works that end up on their desks every day.
