Manuscript Evaluation Service

"I love helping writers hone their work." — Author Margaret Webb

Are you writing a book? Get a professional evaluation of your work through our Manuscript Evaluation Service.

The Writers’ Union of Canada offers a Manuscript Evaluation Service using the talents of our members, all of whom are professional authors. The service provides writers with advice on their manuscripts.

Included in Your Evaluation

Comments on the content, including but not necessarily limited to characterization, dialogue, setting, believability, and research;
Comments on the writing technique, including but not necessarily limited to technical ability and style;
Steps to take to develop the manuscript; and
Responses to three specific questions submitted by the author.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions must be double-spaced, twelve-point size, easy-to-read font with one-inch margins on white pages.
On a separate page, include a list of three specific questions you would like the evaluator to address (optional).

Fiction and Nonfiction Fees

Up to ten-page submission of one manuscript: $150 + HST = $169.50

Full manuscript: $150 for first 10 pages + $2 a page thereafter + HST (e.g. fee for 200 pages: $150 + 190 x $2 = $530 + HST = $598.80)

Poetry Fees

Up to 10 pages $150 + HST = $169.50

Maximum 10 poems. For each additional poem above 10, add $10 per poem.

Submit Your Manuscript

Submit now using our online form

Submission Process

Please note: TWUC’s office will be closed December 21, 2024–January 5, 2025. If you submit your manuscript after December 11, it may not be processed until 2025.

Submissions are accepted online. After submitting, you will receive an invoice by email for the total fee within 2–3 business days. Payment can be made online by credit card or through PayPal. Your submission will be processed upon receipt of payment. We are unable to provide refunds once your payment has been processed.

Manuscript evaluations take five to eight weeks, depending upon the length of the submission.

This service is anonymous; the evaluator will not see the name of the writer, nor will the writer receive the name of the evaluator. Please do not include your name on the manuscript. The Manuscript Evaluation Service is not an editing service; your manuscript may be returned to you containing no additional editorial comments/corrections. The Union wishes to emphasize that use of its Manuscript Evaluation Service will not guarantee publication.

For further information, please contact kcuenca@writersunion.ca.