MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION & DEVELOPMENTAL EDITING

I offer general manuscript evaluation for book-length academic projects. To support collegiate faculty, I read and review scholars' unpublished manuscripts and prepare a 2-page written report about the work. In my general assessment, I address concerns relevant to each author's needs and offer recommendations for preparing the piece for submission to a university or trade press. I also offer manuscript evaluation for select projects in creative nonfiction and memoir.  

I have written four books and co-edited five...all published by university presses. Using the five areas of practice outlined in my book, Black Feminist Writing: A Practical Guide to Publishing Academic Books (2024), I work with faculty in the humanities, social sciences, education, and STEM, particularly in areas of race and gender studies. For developmental editing projects, I make chapter-level comments as well as provide a 4-5 page comprehensive analysis of the book's content, structure, sources, and scholarly contribution. My reader report includes a detailed list of recommendations to help the author polish a final draft for submission to a university or trade press. If desired, the report can also include tips for marketing and community building after the book is published. 

My editorial journey began when I became a graduate faculty member in 2003 and when I started mentoring junior faculty in my role as department chair in 2010. After two decades of formal reviews for academic journals, I decided to independently review books in 2020 to put my favorite books and authors in conversation. I am excited to share my expertise in support of the next generation of scholars and with senior scholars who are ready to take the next step in their publishing journey. I have reviewed dozens of manuscripts for university presses and advised numerous scholars on practice of publishing. I joined EFA in 2025 after an insightful review of Black Feminist Writing and committed to this work during a fruitful discussion with the professional editorial communities in the U.S. and Canada. For my full EFA profile, visit https://www.the-efa.org/memberinfo/stephanie-evans-41470/