Manuscript Assessment

There are many routes to publication once you’ve put the final finishing touches to your manuscript. If your reader thinks your manuscript has real potential, they may suggest agents who might like it too and advise you to begin the submission process. But there is no direct route from Faber Academy’s assessment service to Faber’s editorial team, who don’t currently accept unagented submissions (with the exception of poetry – you can find out more about that here). When it comes to prose, we’d always generally advise you seek representation before approaching publishers – your chosen agent will be able to submit to Faber when the time comes, if they feel we’re the right home for it. If you don’t feel that securing agent representation is the right path for you, you can often submit directly to smaller independent publishers, or keep an eye out on social media for open submission periods from some of the bigger houses.

No. In this process, you and the reader remain anonymous to each other. They don’t know anything about you either – we want them to respond to your manuscript and your manuscript alone. Your report is a standalone product, rather than part of a dialogue. Having said that, if you’ve revised your manuscript in line with your reader’s report, and you’d like the same reader to take another look, we’re very happy to arrange that. Or, if you’re looking for something with ongoing contact and face-to-face feedback, you could consider one of our mentoring options instead.

You’ll receive your report within four weeks of booking. If you need it back sooner than that, there’s an express turnaround option of seven working days for an additional fee of £100.