Submission Package Assessment
What this is
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This is a written reading of a complete submission package: one submission letter (query) and one synopsis.
It focuses on how the materials function together when encountered by a cold industry reader.
The emphasis is not on whether the documents are “good” or “bad,” but on what they actually communicate in combination:
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what kind of novel they appear to promise
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how clearly that promise is substantiated
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where clarity, logic, tone, or emphasis misalign between the two
The aim is to make visible any gap between what you intend the package to signal and what it is likely to signal in practice.
Agents do not read a letter and synopsis in isolation. They register them as a single positioning document.
This assessment treats them that way.
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What I look at
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I read the submission materials comparatively, paying attention to:
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the clarity and distinctness of the premise
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the consistency of genre, tone, and audience signals
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whether the synopsis delivers the book the letter promises
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where narrative logic, causality, or stakes weaken confidence
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where emphasis feels inflated, misplaced, or diluted
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where confusion or compression alters the perceived shape of the novel
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The response focuses on reader perception, not author intention.
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What you receive
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You’ll receive a written response that:
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describes how the package reads as a unified document
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identifies points of misalignment or signal loss between letter and synopsis
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highlights structural or conceptual issues affecting positioning
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indicates what would need to change for the materials to communicate more clearly
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This is a diagnostic reading. It does not include rewriting or optimisation.
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What this does not include
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To avoid misunderstanding, this assessment does not include:
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line-by-line editing. drafting or rewriting
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restructuring or redrafting of either document
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reading of sample pages or manuscripts
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advice on querying strategy or agent lists
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follow-up correspondence or discussion
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judgements about the quality, viability, or marketability of the novel itself
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If you’re looking for ongoing support, or for work that involves reading the manuscript itself, this isn’t the right option.
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Practical details
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Material: one submission letter (max 1000 words) + one synopsis (max 3000 words)
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Format: written response
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Delivery: within 7 working days
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Fee: £270
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Availability is limited and may be paused periodically.
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Proceed
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If this option isn’t appropriate, you can return to the resources page.
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