Every author wants to believe their book is ready.
But would it survive the first ten minutes on an acquisitions editor's desk?
In this episode of Pros Talking Prose, Troy Lambert and Stacey Smekofske pull back the curtain on what professional editors and publishers actually look for when evaluating a manuscript. From unforgettable opening chapters and compelling characters to author voice, pacing, structure, and commercial viability, you'll learn how to stop reading your book like its creator—and start evaluating it like the professionals do.
Whether you're pursuing traditional publishing or publishing independently, these principles can help you identify weaknesses before your readers do.
Because every page has one job: Earn the next page.
Resources Mentioned
Acquisitions Editor Manuscript Checklist:
https://learning.printtopro.com/acquisitions-checklist/
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
The Story Equation by Susan May Warren
Previous Episodes:
You Don't Want an Editor, You Want Validation
Why Readers Walk Away After Reading Your Blurb
The Creative Penn Podcast with Joanna Penn
Author Voice Mastery with J. Daniel Sawyer
https://youtu.be/aQO0E_52sRY?si=3sdtkDRWKgg_VlhQ
If this episode helped you see your manuscript from a new perspective, we'd love to hear from you. Leave a comment and tell us:
What's one thing you're going to evaluate differently in your own book?
And if you found this helpful, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and Share this episode with another writer. It helps us reach more authors who are serious about improving their craft.
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