“Louise took the manuscript for my first novel (White Tiger) and provided me with exactly the right sort of feedback.  After reading her suggestions I worked through it and was able to produce a novel that was accepted by Harper-Collins for publication under their Voyager label.  Without Louise’s help I probably would never have made it through the door. Thanks Louise.”

Kylie Chan (now published by Harper Collins Voyager)

MANUSCRIPT ASSESSMENT: If you have completed a full-length novel or a partial manuscript and need professional feedback, my manuscript assessment service could be of great value to you.   In the last ten years I’ve assessing over 150 manuscripts in the genres of fantasy, young adult, romance, erotica, horror and action/adventure, and have honed editorial skills that have contributed to three clients being accepted for publication in novel format by major Australian & International publishing houses, and several who have won prestigious competitions in the fantasy, horror and romance genres, including the QWC/Hachette + QWC/Allen & Unwin Manuscript Development programs and the Romance Writers of Australia Emerald Award.

MY QUALIFICATIONS: Manuscript assessment from a skilled and reliable source  is a secure investment in your writing career.  I have three fantasy novels published with Simon & Schuster Australia which are about to be re-released by Pan MacMillan’s Momentum Books, and a novella with Harper Collins which won the International PRISM award for fantasy/romance, so I’m well versed in what is required by publishers.  Further, I undertake to be honest and frank in my assessment of your work, but to also provide encouragement and support by affirming the things you are already doing well!  All problems pointed out in your assessment will have clear direction on how to rectify them.

THE PROCEDURE: Email me at mail@louisecusack.com to query in the first instance so we can work out the details, and at that point I’ll let you know how long the assessment will take.  The usual turnaround is 30 days.  Then you email your manuscript to me as an attachment, either as a word .doc or .docx with all items to be assessed (manuscript, synopsis, query letter etc) in the one document.

At that stage I will invoice you, and when I receive payment for the assessment (PayPal now available), you are in the schedule and I will begin working on your novel.  When the assessment is complete I will return your manuscript via email with comments in the document, along with a detailed 4-6 page report giving feedback on: structure, tone, viewpoint, internalisation, characterisation, dialogue, setting/visuals and worldbuilding if applicable, as well as general comments. Note: If I see line editing problems (grammar or punctuation problems that occur consistently) I will point out in the first ten pages so you can see what to correct, but I don’t Line Edit the manuscript for you.  Professional editing (as opposed to assessment) is a whole other service, and one which isn’t appropriate until the structure, characterisation, viewpoint etc are polished. 

THE COST (all prices are in Australian dollars and include GST) for manuscript assessment:

Partial manuscript (up to 30,000 words) – flat rate of $198

30 to 40,000 words of manuscript – $264

40 to 50,000 words of manuscript – $330

50 – 60,000 words of manuscript – $396

(add $66 for each additional 10,000 words or less of manuscript)

If you decide to send a partial manuscript, I suggest sending a chapter outline of the remainder of the novel (to show the story arc) so I can comment on structure.  I also assess synopses and query letters.

The minimum charge for manuscript assessment, regardless of pages sent, is $198.

TALKING TO LOUISE: (a valuable add-on to assessment) If you would like to book a one or two hour phone session to discuss the direction of your edits following on from your manuscript assessment, and/or bounce around ideas on how to strengthen the story, the cost is $88 per hour and phone costs are borne by the client.

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TESTIMONIALS:

30th January, 2012

As a beginner writer, I found the process of evaluating the worth of my own work daunting. Writing the actual manuscript was a breeze by comparison. I spent countless hours trying to figure out what was wrong with it and all the while the doubts were creeping in; if I was a real writer, I must be able to work it out for myself.

The advice of enlisted readers proved to be too vague and subjective. I was going around in circles and just scratching the surface. Finally, having edited myself to a standstill, I enlisted the services of Louise Cusack and the effect was instantaneous.

Far from the gut-wrenching criticisms I had steeled myself against, Louise’s assessment read like a ‘how to’ guide specifically designed for my manuscript. Most importantly, she got it; understood what I was trying to achieve in the story without any input from me.

Her advice was clear, insightful and purpose-driven. She doesn’t waste words but she’s not stingy with them either.  Louise’s assessment works like high-end camera lens, able to zero in on the subtle detail and then pull back to the big picture. She breaks it down into such sensible topics that I’m able to focus on one thing at a time, which is exactly what I needed.

Louise enabled me to see my story with fresh eyes and actually made me fall in love with it again. If you are seeking expert guidance for your manuscript, you’ve found it.  

Alison Mather (Author of YA novel Refuge)

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12 December, 2011

I have worked with Louise on several of my manuscripts, including my first published book for Harlequin Special Edition. Louise’s insight into such things as character motivation, pacing and sustaining conflict throughout the story was invaluable to help my work reach publication standard. She understands the specialised market of romantic fiction and her assessments are clear, concise and detailed. I would absolutely recommend working with Louise to any author wanting professional advice from an experienced assessor.

Helen Lacey

Author of Made For Marriage, Harlequin Special Edition January 2012

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1 Dec 2011

Hi Louise,

Wow this is great. I can see you’ve worked hard on my manuscript, highlighting the various issues in a constructive and most important of all usable and effective manner. This is just what I needed.

I’ve always known my story needed an impartial and professional set of eyes.  Thanks again for the obvious deep commitment you made to reviewing my manuscript and timely service.

Your feedback is priceless as now I can transform my story into something far more likely to catch the eye of an agent or publisher.

Regards,

Jason Gale (fantasy manuscript assessment client)

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21 Nov 2011

Dear Louise

Your manuscript assessment service enables me to realize the full potential of my work. It has given me the confidence to enter competitions and to approach publishers. Each manuscript assessment marks an exciting and steep new  learning curve. Many of your observations tie in well with some of my own doubts and you’ve given me a fair few more to think about. All in all a great investment. To be honest, it’s hard to express how invaluable your professional input has been over the years. If I ever make it to publication it’ll be largely thanks to you!

Cheers,

Jenny Gilligan (romance and literary fiction assessment client)

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Thursday 8th October, 2009

The Assessment Report Louise provided on my first major piece of fiction transformed my story as well as the momentum of my writing.  She provided a balance of feedback on areas that worked well and areas where more work was required.  The report dismantled my story into all the key areas of the craft of fiction writing: world building, characterisation, dialogue, voice, viewpoint, etc; which enabled me to do a comprehensive edit.  It is the best investment I have made in my writing – the learning is ongoing and my confidence has been given a major boost.

Cheers

Helen Taylor (fantasy assessment client)

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6 October, 2009

Dear Louise

Just wanted to let you know I’ve been selected as one of eight successful applicants in the 2009 QWC/Hachette Australia Manuscript Development Program for Fiction Writers.  I think there were nearly 200 submissions received and 40 longlisted.  Having been longlisted and shortlisted for similar programs before, I’m very excited to have made it this time into the final group.  Woohoo!

And yes, the manuscript I submitted was Fall of Bitter Rain, my oriental-inspired fantasy.  I had a lot of things going through my head when I found out I’d been selected.  Among them, images of us sitting in the cafe came to me, talking through the problems I was having with structure, how to build up confidence in where the story was going and how it really wasn’t a bad thing to start from the beginning again when it meant the story would be a whole lot stronger.  I really enjoyed each time we met and worked together, the boost I’d get after each session, and I know my manuscript was hugely improved as a result.  More importantly I learned to trust my instincts more and spend less time listening to my Inner Critic.

Thank you again for your advice and encouragement, for picking out the problems in my work while showing me the gems, and for being fabulous.

Cheers

Meaghan Douglas (young adult fantasy assessment and mentoring client)

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28 March, 2008

Hi Louise

Guess who was one of three Queensland writers chosen for the Hachette Livre Orbit Manuscript Development Program!

Tombspace One is truly in the building!

Just thought I’d share my exciting news with you since you really did help me so much.

Thank you again for everything.

Fiona Sawyer (Year of the Novel workshop participant and assessment client who secured one of the ten places awarded in the Orbit Ms Development Program which had 167 entries from across Australia)

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8 December, 2007

Dear Louise

Enormous, heartfelt thanks for your assessment on my manuscript.  I received it yesterday and have been working on your suggestions last night and most of today.  Your assessment is so easy to follow and put into practise; I’m so grateful to you for your time and for being able to send me the feedback so quickly!

I can’t tell you what a thrill it’s been to read your comments and know I’m on the right track. I’ve spent the past few weeks plagued by self-doubt, thinking my writing was dull, that my story lacked atmosphere and interest.  It’s very nice to be wrong.  I was crying by the time I read the last sentence; you’ll certainly be on my list of people to thank and invite should the dream come true.

My motivation tank is filled to overflowing.  I’ve no excuse not to write, write, write!

Again, thank you so much.  All the best for a busy, productive, fantastic 2008!

Very kind regards

Meaghan Douglas

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18 June, 2007

I’ve been a professional writer for over 40 years, for most of which I worked as a journalist for National papers in London.  I also had a well-reviewed novel published there and have since published a family cook book and a children’s story.  Thus I didn’t really think I needed an assessor.  I thought that writing just came naturally.  However my latest novel features a multiple personality character and while my friends thought it worked well, I wanted another viewpoint before sending it off to the publishers.  I chose Louise Cusack to look at it and must say that she gave me some extremely worthwhile tips. The most important one was “Show not Tell”.  Then there was “Point of View”.  I’ll leave it to her to tell you how they work.  Knowing about them certainly made my manuscript better.  As well, I found it useful to have an experienced pair of eyes running through everything and making suggestions of how things could possibly be better.  It was definitely worthwhile asking Louise to look at my work.  And I am grateful to her for her suggestions.

Catherine Mancham

(Catherine’s novel is now published by Quartet as Sweet Seduction and the Third Mermaid)