Assessors provide a close reading of the text and a detailed report covering the strengths and weaknesses of the work. This includes plot, structure, characterisation, point-of-view, language and style. An assessment gives the author pointers on how to revise the text to make it more publishable. While an assessor may make suggestions, they do not generally market work to publishers. Editors fine-tune a manuscript once it is ready to go to the publisher. They cover spelling, grammar, usage, fact checking and style such as length of sentences.
The NZAMA is a group of professional editors and writers who offer authors feedback on their manuscripts. The Association has a code of practice and behaviour, and there are strict entry criteria.
The kind of manuscript assessment offered by members of NZAMA differs from a brief reader’s report written for a publisher in that it provides objective advice and guidance to the writer on how to bring his or her work closer to publishable standard.
Fleur Beale
Ph: 04 977 8737
22/36 Dee St, Island Bay, Wellington 6023
Assessment of fiction for children and young adults (not picture books or poetry). Also offers one-on-one workshops at her home. Email fleurbeale@clear.net.nz
Norman Bilbrough
Ph: 04 472 6824
Unit 1, 144 Marirangi Rd, Wilton, Wellington 6012
Assessment of fiction, work for children and young adults, non-fiction.
Editline
Lesley Marshall, 20 Beverley Crescent, RD9, Whangarei 0179. Tel 09 434 6814.
Assessment and editing of fiction including romance; non-fiction of all types and for all ages; family history; not poetry. Email editline@xtra.co.nz
Barbara Murison Assessment Services
Barbara Murison, PO Box 22-180, Khandallah, Wellington.
Tel/ fax 04 479 5538,
Children's books, young adult, and picture books. Email for a brochure.
Jill Marshall
PO Box 46-116, Herne Bay, Auckland. Email:
Assessing general fiction, work for children.
Daniel Myers - Word.Link Ltd
Phone 021-072-8856 or 09 435-0590. PO Box 1923, Whangarei 0140
Email WordlinkUSA@gmail.com or WordlinkNZ@gmail.com
Assessments for most types of fiction and non-fiction (no children's literature or poetry).
Polygraphia Ltd
Dr Calum Gilmour. P O Box 167, Westpark Village, West Harbour, Auckland 0661, NZ. Tel +64 9 416 1437. Assessing, editing and layout for academic texts and non-fiction.
First Words Writing Service
Experienced manuscript assessors, run by writers for writers. Cost effective reading service & critique also available. Our clients' assessed work has been published by well known, mainstream publishers. Referees are available. All genres considered. Please contact Conor Quinn on 07 5423412 or 027 4477131, email: first_words@hotmail.com
Jenny Argante
Tel 07 576 3040, fax 07 570 2446. PO Box 13-533, Grey Street, Tauranga.
Copy-editing, proof-reading. Also an experienced indexer and abstractor. Email jenny.argante@clear.net.nz
Kathryn Burnett
Script development tutor, and script assessor. Services include: project assessment, scripts and project development, and script consulting. Kathryn is a screenwriter with 15 years of experience in film and television. Please email for a full bio.
Ashley Campbell
A freelance journalist, Ashley specialises in business writing, personal profiles, ghost writing and editing submitted magazine articles. More than 20 years' experience in newspaper and magazine journalism, as a writer and subeditor.
Email enquiries@wordsontheweb.co.nz or visit the website www.wordsontheweb.co.nz Wendy Catran
An experienced YA author and mentor, Wendy Catran offers mentoring and general, personalised tuition in writing by email/post for manuscripts, part-manuscripts and for general writing skills. Her profile is available on www.bookcouncil.org.nz . For fees and further details please email wendy.catran@gmail.com or phone 03 689 8353.
Caroline Martin
Is a freelance journalist and book editor with over 20 years experience in writing, editing and proofreading. I have an eye for detail, specialise in structural editing, and I’m meticulous about grammar, punctuation and spelling. Skilled in structural editing, copy editing, proofreading, and manuscript appraisal. I will also compile histories for clubs and other organisations.
Erik Montaigne
2 Kent Rd, Regent, Whangarei, 0101.
Tel: 09 430 7578. Proofreading & editing all types of fiction and non-fiction.
Adrienne Morris -AM Proofreading and Editing Proofreading and copy editing of documents, theses, short stories, novels etc. Help with formatting work, basic book layouts. Using Adobe InDesign, the desktop publishing programme used by publishers, offers photo retouching and restoration. Exceptional attention to detail; typesetting and layout skills; and reasonable rates. Help make your writing that little bit better because it is error-free.
2/25 Toroa Street, Torbay, Auckland. Tel: (09) 473 8777 or 021 024 39870. Email a.morris@woosh.co.nz
Jo Murphy
Editor. Specialises in assisting with academic writing. Academic journal submissions, essays, theses, dissertations.Limited editing assistance with selected standard prose works. 7A Fleetwood Grove, Waikanae 5036. Phone: 04 904 3177, Mobile: 0274892740. Email jandjmurphy@clear.net.nz
Juliana Venning
Editor and proof reader of some twenty years experience, including work for Canterbury University and most recently for Journals, such as Chrysalis Seed Arts, published in Canterbury.
She may be contacted via her website, or
Her company is: Focus on Art-Otautahi Limited, P O Box 31-157, Ilam, Christchurch. Tel 0274866713.
