“Paper plate” refers to an evaluation method employed in the publishing industry used by agents or editors to quickly assess whether a manuscript has the potential to become published. This process helps them quickly consider essential quality and marketability before investing resources into developing it further.
“Paper plate review” refers to an informal and quick examination similar to disposable party plates that don’t require much work or investment from their examiners. This strategy is frequently employed by agents and editors dealing with an overwhelming volume of submissions as they need more resources or time to devote to every request received.
At this stage, an agent or editor evaluates a manuscript against several criteria, such as writing quality, plot/story structure, character development, market relevance, sales appeal, and overall market viability. They aim to assess whether this work can attract readers while remaining profitable within its chosen market.
Typically, manuscripts that do not pass the paper plate review are immediately rejected; if they demonstrate promise, they may undergo further evaluation, such as more in-depth reading analyses and discussions with their author(s).
The paper plate stage provides an initial screening process to help agents and editors efficiently manage their workload and prioritize manuscripts with higher chances of publication. It allows them to quickly identify manuscripts that must meet publishing criteria or fall outside target audiences.
Agents and editors take their roles seriously and require sufficient expertise to make quick yet fair decisions quickly and fairly. However, fast evaluation requires knowledge of a manuscript’s potential to pinpoint it accurately.
Paper plate reviews seek to locate manuscripts with the potential to become market bestsellers, streamline submission processes, manage time efficiently, and prioritize manuscripts that meet publishing house objectives. Understanding paper plate reviews gives authors insight into this industry selection process that may enable them to tailor submissions more successfully to increase the chances of publication.
Paper Plate, in book and publishing industry terminology, refers to an informal evaluation of a manuscript’s potential for publication. Agents and editors use it effectively when screening submissions in search of those meeting essential marketability criteria that deserve further consideration. Although it may seem unnecessary, the Paper Plate assessment helps streamline management while allocating resources efficiently toward manuscripts with more significant potential.