Question 1

What file formats does FirstReader accept?

Accepted Answer

.docx, .pdf, .txt, and .md files. Most writing software can export to .docx, which we recommend for best results.

Question 2

How long does a full manuscript analysis take?

Accepted Answer

Most manuscripts are analyzed within 24 to 48 hours. We use batch processing to keep costs low. You get an email when your report is ready.

Question 3

Will FirstReader change my manuscript?

Accepted Answer

Never. FirstReader analyzes your writing. It never modifies, rewrites, or generates prose. Every finding is a suggestion with a cited source. Your voice stays yours.

Question 4

How is FirstReader different from Grammarly or ProWritingAid?

Accepted Answer

Those tools check grammar and sentence-level style. FirstReader does developmental editing: story structure, character arcs, pacing, dialogue, POV, and showing vs. telling. Editor-level feedback, not proofreading.

Question 5

What if I only want story structure feedback, not prose analysis?

Accepted Answer

The Dev Only tier ($89) gives you chapter-by-chapter developmental analysis and a full continuity check. Plot, character arcs, pacing, timeline consistency. No prose-level feedback unless you want it.

Question 6

Is my manuscript private?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your manuscript is stored securely. When you delete it, we permanently erase everything. Your writing is never used to train AI models.

Question 7

What fiction genres does FirstReader support?

Accepted Answer

All of them. Literary fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, sci-fi, fantasy, historical fiction, and more. The craft principles are universal to storytelling.

Question 8

How accurate is automated book critique?

Accepted Answer

FirstReader is built on the same craft principles professional editors use. Highly accurate, but a tool, not an oracle. Think of it as a knowledgeable alpha reader, not the final word.

Question 9

Can I use FirstReader before sending my manuscript to a human editor?

Accepted Answer

That is one of the best ways to use it. A cleaner manuscript means fewer revision rounds with your editor, saving you time and money. Professional developmental editors are already using FirstReader on client manuscripts.

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