A professional reader decides before finishing your first page. These are the 12 questions they're silently asking — about your protagonist, your stakes, your market, your voice. Read them. Then score your project.
01
Hook
Does the opening image or scene tell me what kind of story this is?
The reader should know the genre and tone before page 3.
02
Protagonist
Do I know who this is about — and why I should care right now?
Not backstory. A specific, present-tense reason to invest.
03
Stakes
What does the protagonist stand to lose — and do I feel the weight of it?
Stakes must be felt, not described.
04
Conflict
Is there an active, specific problem the protagonist is already in — not heading toward?
Setup without conflict is prologue. Buyers don't have time for prologue.
05
Voice
Does the writing sound like someone with a specific, distinctive point of view?
Voice is what makes a reader stop underlining and start reading for pleasure.
06
World
Do I understand the world of this story — its rules, texture, time, and place?
Every story has a world that must feel real — not just sci-fi or fantasy.
07
Clarity
Can I follow what's happening without re-reading a sentence?
Clarity is not simplicity — it's precision. Every word earns its place.
08
Format
Is this clearly a feature, limited, series, or short — and does the format fit the story?
A reader flags format mismatch on page 1. They rarely finish the script.
09
Market
Do I know where this project lives — which platform, network, or buyer this is for?
A story without a home is a story without a buyer.
10
Urgency
Is there a reason this story needs to be told right now?
Timing is the invisible variable in every greenlight decision.
11
Credibility
Does the writer have the standing to tell this particular story?
A reader asks "why this writer?" even when the writer doesn't include a bio.
12
Next Step
By page 10, do I know what happens next — and do I want to find out?
The reader's job is to find reasons to pass. Your job is to leave them none.
Score your project
How many can you actually answer?
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