Magic Systems Analysis

Magic is a vital element of most fantasy fiction manuscripts. From urban fantasy based on mythology, to high-powered magic in epic sagas, to magic as a metaphor for emotions in romantasy, our magic systems analysis is a dedicated service to ensure that your magic system is as strong and as integrated as it can be.

A woman with curly blonde hair, smiling and holding her hand beneath a glowing, fantastical purple and blue cosmic orb with stars and galaxies, creating a magical scene.

Based on academic research, we can help you to understand your magic system’s strengths and weaknesses, identify inconsistencies and illogical elements, and advise you on how to strengthen the magic within your manuscript. We use foundational columns of crucial aspects of magic systems to ensure that any holes are filled.

We offer three types of magic systems analysis:

  1. High-level analysis via a focused questionnaire

  2. Detailed analysis as part of a developmental edit

  3. Detailed analysis with no developmental edit

  • A magic system is an integral part of your manuscript, bridging the gap between plot and worldbuilding. It affects every aspect of your world, your story, and your characters.

    It’s not enough to say that something happens ‘because it’s magic’. There needs to be rules and limitations, explanations that make sense within the logic of your world.

    If your magic system fails in some way, it can open up porous holes in your plot and affect the way readers interact with your story.

    By analysing your magic system, preferably as part of the developmental stage of editing, we can identify any weak spots early on, and may also uncover stronger plot points for this manuscript or future sequels.

  • For further information on our types of magic systems analysis, please scroll down the page.

  • It’s more beneficial to have your magic assessment done during thedevelopmental edit (see our Part of Developmental Edit offering), as the changes that can result from it may be wide-reaching.

    However, this analysis can also be done during the planning stage (see our High-Level offering) or after the developmental editing stage for a more specialised service (see our Separate Service offering).

Our Magic Systems Analysis Services

High-Level

We will send you a focused questionnaire, which we will use to analyse your magic system based on the five main categories (or foundational pillars) identified in our academic research. We will then offer areas to focus on, areas to celebrate, andpossible plot/world/character implications if changes are made, and actionable steps for moving forward.

  • You will receive:

    • a high-level report analysing your magic system with feedback to help strengthen your work.

    The report will also include actionable steps on what you can do next to further improve your magic system and how it integrates with your manuscript.

  • This service is a fixed fee of £85.

    Please note that there is no payment plan for this service.

Part of Developmental Edit

As we perform a developmental edit of your manuscript, we will also carry out an in-depth analysis on your magic system, covering elements such as:

  • how it integrates with your world

  • how it develops your characters

  • the lore behind it

  • its sources and manifestations

  • its strengths and the areas to focus on.

  • As part of your developmental editing package, you will receive:

    • a magic systems analysis report that outlines all the key foundational elements of your magic system and provides a detailed assessment of what its strengths are and areas of improvement.

    This report will come with actionable steps, professional advice, and a focus on realistic characters and plots.

    For further information on what the developmental editing part of the package includes, please see the ‘Developmental Editing’ page.

  • Please see the ‘Developmental Editing’ page for specific details on the pricing of the full package.

    There is a core editing cost to be considered that may depend on your word count. The magic systems analysis element is an additional £200.

Separate Service

For those manuscripts that are not needing a developmental edit but needs specialised support on the magic system, we can perform an in-depth analysis of and produce a detailed report, covering elements such as:

  • how it integrates with your world

  • how it develops your characters

  • the lore behind it

  • its sources and manifestations

  • its strengths and the areas to focus on.

  • You will receive:

    • a detailed magic systems analysis report that outlines all the key foundational elements of your magic system and provides a detailed assessment of what its strengths are and areas of improvement.

    This report will come with actionable steps, professional advice, and a focus on realistic characters and plots.

  • There is a £450 reading fee plus an hourly rate of £85 for producing the report.

    Therefore, the full cost will depend on the complexity of the magic system, the editing stage of the manuscript, and the manuscript’s word count.