Manuscript
Diagnostic

You know what you want your novel to be. A Manuscript Diagnostic tells you why it isn’t there yet.

A close read of your full novel, a 12-15 page diagnostic report, and a call to work through what I found.

You've written a full draft. You've revised it more than once. And somewhere in there, you lost the ability to see it clearly — which is exactly what happens when you've been that close to something for that long.

The Manuscript Diagnostic is a full read of your novel, built to answer one question: what is this book promising, and where is it failing to deliver on that promise?

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Apply for a Manuscript Diagnostic

Applying takes just a few minutes. If it’s a fit, I’ll reply with availability and next steps. (If it’s not, I’ll let you know that too.)

What a Diagnostic includes

You’ll receive…

  • A full read of your manuscript with inline comments on clarity, craft, and story impact—not a copyedit.

  • A detailed 12-15 page diagnostic report, structured around what your novel promises and where the gap is:

    • The Novel I Read — what's actually on the page, not what you meant to put there

    • What This Novel Promises — the plot and emotional promises your opening sets up

    • The Diagnosis — where the book is and isn't keeping those promises

    • What The Revision Must Solve — 3–5 named structural problems, with the diagnostic questions each one raises

    • Next Steps — where to start

  • A 60-minute follow-up call to walk through the findings and ask questions.

This is a holistic, attentive read—not a quick skim or formulaic markup.

Turnaround time: 4 weeks from receipt of your manuscript

Read More: What Is a Manuscript Diagnostic?

How it works

  1. You submit your manuscript (Google Doc or Word) and complete a short questionnaire.

  2. I read the full draft, annotate it, and write your diagnostic report.

  3. You receive your manuscript with inline notes and the report.

  4. We meet for a 60-minute follow-up call to talk through what I found.

Your review covers

  • Whether the ending pays off what the opening promised

  • Plot and structure

  • Character arcs, motivations, and emotional resonance

  • Pacing, tension, and stakes

  • Scene-level clarity and cohesion

You walk away knowing exactly what the book needs and where to start.

Investment: $2,500 for manuscripts up to 90,000 words

For manuscripts over 90,000 words, add $0.05 per word over 90,000. (Example: 95,000 words = $2,750)

If you’re not sure where your word count lands, send it anyway. I’ll confirm the exact total before we book.

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Apply for a Manuscript Diagnostic

A Manuscript Diagnostic is ideal for writers who:

  • Have a completed draft, even a rough one

  • Can name what's not working but not why

  • Are revising before querying or publishing

  • Want a finding, not encouragement

Not Ideal If:

  • You’re still in early drafting (please reach out to chat with me about how we could work together at this stage)

  • You want light feedback or a quick gut-check (the Mirror Read is a smaller place to start)

  • You're not ready to hear a hard answer about your manuscript

Ready for expert eyes on your novel?

The application takes just a few minutes. If it's a fit, I'll reply with availability and next steps. If another service would serve you better, I'll tell you that too.

What Writers Say

  • Kerry can help shape your novel, providing a bird's eye view of the story, as well as detailed advice on certain specific aspects of your writing. She offered concrete steps to address issues like pacing and character development. Rather than tell us what to do specifically, she gave several clear options that we then discussed together.

    —K.B. Brodsky (Debut novel forthcoming from Simon & Schuster in Sept.)

  • I got benefit both from the written feedback and the discussion afterwards where we talked about what changes needed to happen to make the story better. My book is stronger now for having worked with you. It has a better defined spine, the MDQ is no longer confusing, and no loose ends.

    —Nancy C.

  • Kerry gave me crucial insights about how to shape the first draft of the story into a much improved second draft. She’s awesome and I learned a lot from her. The rewrite based on her feedback is much better from many perspectives. Truly invaluable.

    —from the Acknowledgements of The Avatar Murders by Jim Rowson

  • I worked with writing coach par excellence Kerry Savage, who not only taught me how to deepen my portrayal of Sara and to find "the golden thread" but believed in this book with her heart and soul.

    —from the Acknowledgements of The Ashtrays are Full and the Glasses are Empty by Kirsten Mickelwait

  • Kerry was able to illustrate concrete examples of where I could improve, and directed me to a book that discusses this topic excessively to use as a resource. Both the suggestions and her book recommendation aided my revision process. I would highly recommend her to anyone else in the future. Her attention to detail and flexibility are both huge pluses in my mind.

    —Lee deLacey

Not sure it's the right fit?

Tell me where you’re at and what you’re working on. Fill out the Contact form and we’ll set up a free 30-minute call to figure out the best next step.

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