Publisher's Lens Assessments
Publisher's Lens gives you an acquisitions editor's verdict before you submit to agents and editors, or make expensive hybrid publishing decisions.
If your manuscript landed on an acquisitions editor's desk at a Big 5 publisher, what would they see and what would they decide?
You've invested months—maybe years—writing your book. You've put your professional reputation on the line. Now you need to know: Is this manuscript commercially viable?
Publisher's Lens gives you an acquisitions editor's verdict before you submit to agents and editors, or make expensive hybrid publishing decisions.
This is not developmental editing. This is a commercial reality check calibrated to Big 5 publishing standards.
What Publisher's Lens Is (& Isn't)
This is a commercial decision tool, not a craft writing service.
You'll receive a publisher-grade assessment of your manuscript's commercial viability. The same lens an acquisitions editor uses when deciding whether to acquire a book for their list.
What you get:
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7-pillar scorecard evaluating market fit, positioning, platform, and commercial path
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Strategic guidance on your most realistic publishing route
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Competitive analysis against comparable titles currently on shelves
What this is not:
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Line editing or developmental feedback on craft
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A guarantee of agent representation or publishing deal
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Generic manuscript evaluation based on personal taste
Why this matters:
You get clarity on whether to submit, revise, or pivot—before you burn relationships with agents or invest $20K+ in hybrid publishing packages.
If your manuscript landed on an acquisitions editor's desk at HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, or Penguin Random House, what would they see? What would they decide?
Every assessment applies the same criteria acquisitions editors use when evaluating manuscripts for commercial publication. This includes analysis of your book concept, audience and market fit, the credibility of your author platform, competitive positioning, and commercial path and risk (among other things).
What you receive:
A “Publisher's Memo” (8–12 pages for manuscripts, 6–8 pages for proposals) with scorecard, competitive analysis, structural assessment, and strategic recommendations. Plus a 60-minute call to discuss findings and suggest your next steps to success.
Your manuscript is evaluated by specialists across our evaluation framework. Sally reviews all findings, delivers the final verdict, and conducts your strategy call.
Sally Collings
Former HarperCollins nonfiction acquisitions editor, USA Today bestselling ghostwriter, and publishing strategist. Sally has spent 15+ years evaluating manuscripts through the lens of "Does this book work as a commercial publishing project?"
Assessment Team:
Autumn Jade Monroe
Book Proposal & Platform Specialist
Anita Ponton
Manuscript Review Specialist
Joanne Spataro
Memoir & Narrative Nonfiction Specialist
Dara Silverman
Memoir & Arts Specialist
Book Proposal Assessment — $2,995
Your complete book proposal (up to 20,000 words) evaluated through the Publisher's Lens framework.
Deliverables:
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Publisher's Memo (6–8 pages): Full scorecard, competitive analysis, proposal assessment, strategic recommendations
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Traffic-light verdict (Green / Amber / Red)
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60-minute strategy call with Sally
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Turnaround: 5 business days
Manuscript Assessment — $3,995
Your complete manuscript (strategic skim,* up to 100,000 words) evaluated through the Publisher's Lens framework.
Deliverables:
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Publisher's Memo (8–12 pages): Full scorecard, competitive analysis, structural assessment, strategic recommendations
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Traffic-light verdict (Green / Amber / Red)
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60-minute strategy call with Sally
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Turnaround: 5 business days
Publisher's Lens answers all three with Big 5 publisher-calibrated judgment.
You're a nonfiction or business author who:
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Has a complete or near-complete manuscript (or proposal)
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Intends to pursue traditional publishing or high-end hybrid deals
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Needs commercial clarity before making expensive publishing decisions
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Wants to know what an acquisitions editor would really think—before submitting to agents
We help you answer these key questions:
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Gatekeeper simulation:
"What would an acquisitions editor at a Big 5 publisher actually decide about this manuscript?" -
Commercial reality check:
"Is my platform and positioning strong enough to compete in this book's market, and what would need to change if not?" -
Publishing path analysis:
“What's my optimal publishing path given the manuscript's commercial appeal, my platform, and the strategic outcomes I need?”
Investment & Timeline
$2,995 for your book proposal or $3995 for a manuscript assessment
5 business days from manuscript submission to completed Publisher's Memo
60-minute strategy call after Publisher’s Memo delivery and at a time convenient for you
Next step: Submit your manuscript or proposal for assessment.
You'll receive intake instructions and can schedule your strategy call immediately.
Submit Your Manuscript or Proposal for Assessment
Questions?
Contact us or schedule a brief exploratory call to discuss whether Publisher's Lens is right for you.