The Pisces App
The Pisces App connects aspiring writers to amazing editors. Much like the dreamy Pisces it makes the dreams of that bestselling book come true!
The Research
Problem Statement
Problem Statement
New writers need help fixing, editing and defining different aspects of their books they need an expert editor with publishing knowledge to help them. It is not something that is easy for a writer to come by and requires a lot of time wasted researching or potentially using someone who may not be the right fit.
- self published authors need help to polish
- traditional publishing is very difficult to break into and require perfect manuscripts
- I discovered that many writers struggle to find editors who match their needs, resulting in delays or lower-quality work. This prototype was designed to solve that problem by streamlining the editor-matching and communication process
Key Features
Our App Pisces will fill in the market with a user friendly application that carers to aspiring writer’s needs. It aims to help writer’s polish their manuscripts for publishing. It will improve the process of finding and working with an editor that fits their need and genre. The key features will help keep collaboration inside the application.
- Finding an Editor
- Message/Video Call
- Collaborating on Editing
Competitive Analysis
Reedsy
Strengths
Specialised in publishing
Marketing/Editing/publishing services
Vetted professionals
Weaknesses
Higher costs
No mobile app
Too many different apps within the website
UX IS CONFUSING
Opportunities
Expand services
Make the UI more consistent
Take away the convoluted information
Develop mobile app
Threats
Larger platforms
Economic downturns
Although it is the most well known literary website that connects writers with editors. It is overwhelming. There is too many applications inside it and information is not split up well.
Focus: Exclusive to publishing industry
Key offerings: Editing, design, marketing services
Modern, minimalist design that’s easy on the eyes
Some pages may feel text-heavy, potentially overwhelming users
Limited customisation options for user profiles
Navigation Structure
Felt Clunky, hard to find editor
Deep menu structure – confusing
Focus on high-quality, vetted professionals sets Reedsy apart from general freelance platforms
Integrated tools for book creation and formatting
Reedsy is also very expensive, that makes it hard for aspiring writers who may not want to spend a lot of money. It has an excellent reputation.
Fiver
Strengths
Large user base
Competitive pricing of editors
UX IS VERY GOOD
Weaknesses
Inconsistent quality
Less specialised in genre
lots of amateur editors
Opportunities
Specialised genres
AI-powered matching
Threats
Increased competition
Potential regulation
Fiver offers cheap services however anyone can become a freelancer on the platform, therefore it may not be guaranteed a good editor.
It was easy to use and intuitive.
Fiver key features
- Broad freelance services marketplace with writing/editing section
- Platform: Web and mobile app
- Key offerings: Wide range of freelance services
- The snippets of the editor and page is great.
Key Points
- Can be overwhelming
- Overpriced
- Not in niche
- Unable to use in app collaboration such as video call/editing
My Personas
Cara
Cara is studying a creative writing MFA to finally make her dreams come true of becoming a bestselling author. She is constantly honing her craft and has written numerous drafts of novels. She is ready to try to polish up one of her current drafts in the best way possible to either look for a literary agent afterwards or to self publish if it does not get picked up.
Jillian
Jillian is a full time project manager but she ended up picking up writing a few years ago and really wants to share her story with others. It is based around her experiences growing up that fuelled it as well as her new found spirituality that makes her want to share her joy.
Louise
Louise is passionate about books. She has had her nose in a book from a young age. She works in publishing as a literary editor, however, she has also helped many people self publish on Amazon.
The Journey
Low Fidelity to High Fidelity
Quite a journey went into going from low fidelity to high fidelity. Numerous different usability studies and interviews were conducted. Check next tab to see in depth analysis.
Find your Editor
For this page after testing with users it was revealed that the search function is easier if it is viewable in full and having portfolio’s and reviews/prices shown.
Dashboard
The changes for the dashboard were mostly to make it user friendly aesthetically. The main functionality of having comments pop up and take you to the place in the manuscript etc were part of the plan.
Appointments
For the Appointments the booking system had to be changed and made into an easier flow for a user. To be able to make and cancel appointments from an easy to use calendar.
It all started with...
An idea to connect aspiring writers to editors that would help polish their manuscript.
Conducting User Interviews
I conducted aspiring writers and writers in my community. Ranging from 16-55. Hobbyists and people who had already been published. Moderated remote interview.
Goals
- Determine what features users would want to have from an application that allows writers to be connected to editors.
- Pain points with finding an editor right now
Interview
- What kind of features would you want to have from an application where you can find editors?
- What is important to you when finding an editor for your book?
- What are current applications for finding an editor you have used that you find are inconvenient?
- How do you feel about the navigation in apps you have used or would use to find an editor like (fiverr)?
- What are your feelings on apps that allow you to edit your work in real time with someone else like google docs? Any improvements?
- How do you feel about applications on the market that allow you to video call and message? Any improvements?
- How often would you want to stay in contact with the editor you choose?
- What phases of the editing would you want to work with an editor?
- What would you want to see prominently displayed on an app that you use to find and stay in contact with editors?
- How would you like to get notifications from your editor?
- What features or design would make the application more accessible to you and others?
- Are there any specific concerns about privacy and uploading your book to an application?
Important Features
Functional Requirements
The main functions that were needed after user research.
- Login/Sign up flow
- An onboarding page
- A home screen or dashboard where users can access their information
- A menu that allows users to navigate the application
- A feature that allows users to browse editors and pose a question
- Messages between editor and writer
- Video Call feature between editor and writer
- Paying the application for the editors time
- Feature to allow editing of the book in same place
- A place where the books published by the Application resides
- Editors divided up by genre
- A place to enter competition to sell book to App – which allows free editing and publication
Site Map/ Business Flow / User Journeys
The site map of Pisces was created through running card sorting exercises that were conducted on a range of participants 30-55.
Business Flow Diagram
Please find the full set of business flow diagrams here:
Usability Testing
Revision, revisions and more revisions
Dashboard
A lot going on here. First of all the flow is completely different – which I will go in detail below. The Dashboard was improved to make the progress bar into a real progress bar! Which had very good feedback from original participants.
Connecting to Editor Flow
This one is tough to admit to! Originally the flow to connect with an editor was just through message – and then prompted to set up a call – then maybe work with them. This set up confused a lot of people and maybe not the best business practice. With the new flow a user can contact/set up meeting. Or they can get a pre paid deal like in fiver etc.
This new flow really helped everyone to feel better about setting up a call and connecting, with price points visible. It is more user friendly and shows everything they would need to know.
Calendar
A lot of people were confused by the scrolling and seemed to feel uncomfortable. I decided to make it more easy by displaying entire weeks so that everything could be seen and the user could know all days that were avialable with the time.
Signing Up Process
For the sign up process the entire flow had to change. The users did not need to be prompted to make account to message an editor. This caused a few problems for the flow and complications if the user decided to hire an editor they had messaged through guest. I decided the used needed to be prompted to make an account before contacting/taking an editor on. This makes the current flow a lot more easier and also I added branding which was really missing prior.
Test Preparation
Goals
- The goal is to determine the usability of a writer being able to find the editor for their manuscript and being able to collaborate with them on improving it.
Participants
Test Objectives
- Assess how easily users can choose the right editor for their criteria?
- Is it memorable and can the users interact with comments and edit their manuscript?
- Determine is the interface for setting up calls easy for the user?
Methodology
- Live moderated in-person usability testing to observe participants as they complete key tasks.
- 20 mins.
Participants
- 5 participants consist of writers at different stages of their careers.
- Recruited from writer groups, social media, and personal networks.
Background Questions
Demographic Questions:
- What is your primary role? (e.g., writer, editor, publisher, other) (health care, part time writer)
- Have you worked with an editor before? If yes, how did you find them? (yes have worked wtih professionals to learn something )
- How comfortable are you with using digital platforms to connect with professionals? (very good)
- How often do you look for editorial services? (preply etc often)
- What is your age group? 16-18, 19-25, 26-35, 36-49, 50-69, 70+ 50-69
Background Questions:
- How do you typically find and choose an editor for your book?
- What factors are most important to you when selecting an editor? (e.g., experience, genre specialisation, price, reviews)
- Have you used any online platforms to find an editor before? If so, which ones, and what was your experience like?
- How do you currently communicate with editors?
- Have you ever struggled to schedule or coordinate with an editor? What challenges did you face?
Test Script
Scenario-Based Tasks: (These tasks will help us assess how easily users can complete key actions within the Pisces app.)
- Finding an Editor
- Imagine you have just finished writing your book and are looking for an editor who specializes in your genre.
- You want someone with experience in fantasy novels and a strong track record.
- Use the Pisces app to find an editor that meets your criteria.
- Scheduling a Call
- You’ve exchanged messages with an editor and are ready to have a consultation call.
- Schedule a call with them using the Pisces app.
- Editing:
- Your editor has been working with you for a while and they have left comments on your work. You find that you need more clarity, can you comment back to them?
Open-Ended Questions:
- Can you tell us your first impressions? What do you like, not like?
- What aspects of the app did you find most useful?
- What areas did you find confusing or frustrating?
- Is there anything missing from the app that you expected to see?
- Would you use this app to find an editor in the future? Why or why not?
- Any additional thoughts or suggestions?
Affinity
AB/Testing
It would be ideal to turn the Pisces App into a place where it is not just for editing to query but a place where books can be published one day! To make it a place where wattpad meets inhouse editing.
An immediate plan for the future is :
High-Level Plan for Future Iteration
Now that the core functions are stable,the below hypothesis is guiding the next phase of development.
Hypothesis : New writers may feel intimidated about hiring an editor, but a short interactive onboarding flow that explains the benefits and types of editing will increase confidence and conversion.
This feature will focus on education and onboarding, and I expect it to increase first-time bookings by at least 15%.
To validate this hypothesis, I’ll use qualitative and quantitative methods. For the onboarding flow, I’ll run A/B testing with new users: one group receives the interactive guide, and the other doesn’t. I’ll then compare booking rates, time spent in-app, and drop-off rates during signup. These tests will help us refine these features based on real user behavior rather than assumptions. If I can when these features are finalized I would like to have a core group of usability testing to improve the sign up rate. What would help build more trust etc.
As I begin polishing Pisces, user testing will evolve from basic usability tests to more longitudinal studies. Instead of single-session feedback, I want to follow users through a full manuscript cycle — from uploading their draft to receiving final edits. This will give me insight into emotional highs/lows, collaboration friction, and moments of delight. I’ll also begin testing with more diverse writer profiles — not just fiction writers, but also memoirists, academics, and non-native English speakers.
Solutions
Finding an Editor
Finding an editor is a key feature using filtering with an easy flow.
Connecting to Editor - message/video call
In house messaging and video call.
Manuscript Collaboration
Manuscript Editing is an important feature. To allow live editing and to know what comments were left.
Design Language
Figma was used to make prototypes. I used material kit 3 to make numerous components that I then modified for the Pisces App.