Editorial Summary
Overview
The Editorial Summary provides a comprehensive, high-level assessment of your manuscript. It combines detailed narrative analysis with market insight to deliver structured, editor-grade feedback. This report is designed to help writers identify core strengths, recognize key revision areas, and understand how their work aligns with current publishing trends.
This is the most in-depth analysis offered in the Story Stream platform and is intended to support serious revision and publishing decisions.
Purpose of the Editorial Summary
The purpose of the Editorial Summary is to present a cohesive and actionable overview of your manuscript’s current state. The report integrates findings from multiple narrative analyses to highlight:
- What is working well in the manuscript
- What areas need improvement to meet professional standards
- How the manuscript is likely to perform in the current literary market
All findings are derived from genre-informed narrative metrics and evaluated through the lens of developmental editing practices.
Summary Tiers: Basic vs. Full
Story Stream offers two levels of manuscript summary depending on your selected service tier: the Basic Summary and the Full Editorial Summary. Understanding the differences between these reports can help you determine which best suits your current needs.
Full Editorial Summary
Included with paid editorial assessments.
The Full Editorial Summary is a comprehensive, manuscript-wide evaluation modeled on professional developmental editing standards. It synthesizes insights across all individual Story Stream analyses and provides structured feedback focused on both artistic quality and market viability.
Key features:
- Full Executive Summary with integrated synthesis of character, plot, theme, pacing, prose, world-building, and more
- Identification of key strengths and high-impact growth areas
- Market positioning and comparable titles analysis
- Detailed Priority Enhancements Table with actionable revision guidance
- Tailored recommendations based on genre conventions and reader expectations
Use this report if you are:
- Preparing for publication, submission to agents, or contests
- Revising a complete draft with the goal of significant improvement
- Seeking editorial insights comparable to a human developmental editor
Basic Summary
Available as an optional purchase.
The Basic Summary provides a concise review of your manuscript’s core ideas and thematic execution. It draws exclusively from two targeted analyses: the Author Intentions Assessment and the Theme Assessment. This summary is designed to offer meaningful early-stage feedback without requiring a full editorial package.
Key features:
- A one-paragraph Executive Summary summarizing overall alignment and tone
- Assessment of how well your manuscript delivers on your stated vision
- Thematic evaluation including development, consistency, and emotional impact
- Two focused revision recommendations based on narrative depth and clarity
Use this report if you are:
- Exploring Story Stream’s capabilities before upgrading
- Looking for early feedback on your manuscript’s conceptual foundation
- Refining thematic intent and narrative focus during early or mid-stage drafting
What the Summary Includes
The report is divided into the following sections:
Executive Summary
A concise overview of the manuscript’s primary strengths and structural challenges. This section is useful for orienting revision priorities at a high level.
Key Strengths
Real example from Darkness in the Desert by Will Frasier
Highlights of the manuscript’s most effective elements, such as:
- Characterization
- Voice and tone
- Setting and world-building
- Emotional resonance
- Thematic coherence
These insights are synthesized from multiple targeted analyses and are intended to clarify what aspects of the manuscript should be preserved and expanded.
Primary Opportunities for Improvement
A focused discussion of areas with the greatest potential for impact, including:
- Narrative structure and pacing
- Supporting character development
- Plot coherence and internal logic
- Cultural sensitivity and representation
- Sentence-level prose and dialogue quality
Recommendations in this section are grounded in objective narrative criteria, but tailored to each manuscript’s unique context.
Market Positioning and Reader Fit
Real example from Darkness in the Desert by Will Frasier
This section evaluates how the manuscript aligns with:
- Current market trends in genre and theme
- Reader expectations for pacing, voice, and plot structure
- Comparable titles or author profiles
It also identifies unique selling points and potential barriers to commercial appeal, providing a market-readiness assessment based on available data.
Priority Enhancements Table
Real example from Darkness in the Desert by Will Frasier
This table provides a structured revision roadmap. Each issue is listed by category and prioritized by estimated impact on overall manuscript quality. Each entry includes:
- A short summary of the issue
- Recommended next steps
- Cross-references to specific analyses where relevant
Using the Summary Effectively
To get the most value from the Editorial Summary:
- Begin with the Executive Summary to understand the overall direction.
- Review the Key Strengths to determine what to retain in your next draft.
- Focus on the top-priority items in the Enhancements Table for revision planning.
- Use the Market Positioning section to inform publishing decisions or agent submissions.
The report is intended to support structured, iterative revision. It may be beneficial to revisit the analysis after each major draft.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as a developmental edit? The Editorial Summary is modeled after traditional developmental editing reports but generated through Story Stream’s proprietary narrative analysis system. It provides similar depth of insight but is not a replacement for human editing when line-level polish or stylistic decisions are required.
What if I disagree with part of the analysis? Interpretation of narrative work often involves subjectivity. The Editorial Summary is intended to provide data-informed perspectives to support decision-making. Authors retain full creative control and are encouraged to apply feedback according to their vision.