Most writers think they’re ready for editing. Most manuscripts say otherwise.

In this episode of The Editor’s Half Hour, Nadia Geagea Pupa explores one of the most misunderstood—and often skipped—stages of the editorial process: manuscript evaluations, alongside Steph Thompson. This conversation gets to the core of what writers actually need before line editing begins. Steph shares how she approaches evaluations from a big-picture perspective, helping writers understand what’s working, what’s not, and how to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Together, they break down what a manuscript evaluation is—and what it isn’t—along with how editors assess structure, pacing, clarity, and overall story flow. The conversation also addresses the balance between honest critique and constructive guidance, the common issues that show up across manuscripts, and what a strong evaluation actually looks like in terms of deliverables.

They also get into the business side of this work—how to set boundaries, manage client expectations, and price manuscript evaluations in a way that reflects their value.

Manuscript evaluations sit at a critical decision point in the publishing process. Done well, they can save writers time, money, and frustration by providing direction before deeper editing begins. This episode offers a clear look into how editors think at this stage—and why clarity always comes before correction.

Visit www.inkandinsightwordsmithery.com to learn more about Steph’s freelance business.

Connect with her on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-thompson-editor

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