How We Score Your Manuscript

What we evaluate:

Evaluates the presence, order, and formatting of your title page, copyright notice, dedication, table of contents, and any foreword or preface.

Why it matters:

Bookstores, libraries, and distributors expect a consistent front matter sequence. Missing or misformatted pages are the most common reason manuscripts are flagged during submission.

Standards referenced:

• Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.
• IngramSpark Submission Guidelines
• Amazon KDP Content Guidelines

What we evaluate:

Checks for author bio, acknowledgements, bibliography or references, index (where applicable), and 'also by' or 'about the publisher' pages.

Why it matters:

Complete back matter signals professionalism to reviewers, award committees, and library acquisition teams. It also improves discoverability through metadata.

Standards referenced:

• Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.
• BISAC Subject Headings List

What we evaluate:

Compares your manuscript's word count against the accepted range for your genre, based on data from published bestsellers and industry benchmarks.

Why it matters:

A manuscript that is significantly too short or too long for its genre raises red flags with agents, publishers, and readers. It also affects print cost and retail pricing.

Standards referenced:

• Publisher Rocket genre data
• Writer's Market genre guidelines
• Amazon bestseller category analysis

What we evaluate:

Evaluates margins, line spacing, font choice, chapter headers, running headers/footers, page numbering, orphan/widow control, and overall typographic consistency.

Why it matters:

Interior design is what separates a professional book from a self-published manuscript. Readers notice poor typesetting subconsciously — it affects readability, fatigue, and perceived quality.

Standards referenced:

• The Elements of Typographic Style — Robert Bringhurst
• Book Design and Production — Pete Masterson
• IngramSpark Print Specifications

What we evaluate:

Assesses sentence-level clarity, consistency of voice, structural coherence, and overall readability using industry-standard editorial benchmarks.

Why it matters:

Editorial quality is the single biggest factor in reader reviews. A well-edited book earns trust, repeat readers, and word-of-mouth recommendations.

Standards referenced:

• Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed.
• AP Stylebook
• Flesch-Kincaid Readability Index

What we evaluate:

Verifies ISBN placement, barcode format, BISAC subject headings, category codes, and metadata completeness for retail distribution platforms.

Why it matters:

Incorrect ISBN formatting and missing metadata are among the most common reasons self-published titles are rejected by distributors (IngramSpark Submission Guidelines). Without proper metadata, your book won't appear in the right searches, categories, or library systems.

Standards referenced:

• ISBN International Standards (ISO 2108)
• BISAC Subject Headings
• IngramSpark Metadata Requirements
• Amazon KDP Metadata Guidelines

What we evaluate:

Assesses title hierarchy, author name sizing, spine readability, back cover layout (description, barcode, author bio), colour contrast, and genre signal accuracy.

Why it matters:

79% of readers say cover design influences whether they click or buy (The Book Smugglers reader survey). A cover that doesn't communicate the right genre at a glance loses sales before the reader even picks it up.

Standards referenced:

• IngramSpark Cover Template Specifications
• Genre-specific design conventions
• Industry cover hierarchy best practices

What we evaluate:

Tests reflowable layout, metadata embedding, chapter navigation (NCX/TOC), image optimization, and compatibility with Kindle, Apple Books, and Kobo platforms.

Why it matters:

Ebook sales represent a significant portion of the market. A poorly formatted ebook with broken navigation or unreadable tables drives negative reviews and returns.

Standards referenced:

• EPUB 3.0 Specification
• Amazon Kindle Publishing Guidelines
• Apple Books Asset Guide

What we evaluate:

Cross-checks your files against submission requirements for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, and major bookstore distributors.

Why it matters:

File rejections delay your launch and cost time. Each distributor has specific requirements for bleed, trim, colour profile, and file format that must be met exactly.

Standards referenced:

• Amazon KDP Print Submission Requirements
• IngramSpark File Creation Guide
• Draft2Digital Formatting Guide

What we evaluate:

Reviews copyright page language, permissions disclosures, rights statements, and any required legal notices for quoted material or licensed content.

Why it matters:

Incomplete or incorrect legal notices can expose you to liability and disqualify your book from certain distribution channels and award submissions.

Standards referenced:

• U.S. Copyright Office guidelines
• Creative Commons licensing standards
• Publisher's legal best practices

What we evaluate:

Checks alt text for images, reading order, contrast ratios, font sizing, and structural markup to ensure your book is readable by all audiences, including those using assistive technology.

Why it matters:

Accessibility is increasingly required by retailers and is a legal requirement in some jurisdictions. It also expands your potential readership significantly.

Standards referenced:

• WCAG 2.1 AA
• EPUB Accessibility 1.0
• Section 508 compliance

What we evaluate:

Benchmarks your book's presentation against the top-performing titles in your specific genre for cover style, length, structure, and reader expectations.

Why it matters:

Each genre has unwritten rules. Romance readers expect a specific cover tone. Thriller readers expect a specific pacing structure. Violating these conventions reduces discoverability and reader satisfaction.

Standards referenced:

• Amazon bestseller category analysis
• Publisher Rocket genre data
• BookScan industry data