How we work

Not every manuscript is ready for a publisher. Sometimes an author needs an experienced, independent view of the manuscript – what is working, what could be strengthened, and what the next steps might be. Archetype Books offers editorial consultancy for authors, whether they are at the early stages of a project or have a completed manuscript. 

We also welcome submissions.

​Consultancy and submission are separate routes: commissioning editorial advice does not guarantee publication, and we only take on books that we believe we can genuinely add value to.
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Because we are a small independent publisher, we review submissions selectively and are not able to read every manuscript we receive in full. We therefore ask authors to begin with a short synopsis and sample of around 1,000 words, rather than sending an unsolicited complete manuscript.

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Full Manuscript edit
Includes margin notes and a full report on narrative structure, technique and thematic elements.
£18 per 1,000 words
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A more forensic, sentence-by-sentence edit to enhance clarity and pace. 
£30 per 1,000 words

Extracts under 20,000
Includes margin notes and report on narrative structure, technique and thematic elements.
£20 per 1,000 words

Submission
– Opening chapters
– Synopsis
– Agent letter
£20 per 1,000 words

Mentoring
Individual arrangements can be made depending upon the author’s needs.
£18 per 1,000 words

Consultancy
Have an initial chat about your project for half an hour or a full hour.
£50 per half hour
£80 per hour

Narrative Coaching
For when there’s an idea that won’t leave you alone and which might want to become a book.
£50 per half hour
£80 per hour