What an evidence-backed continuity handoff can look like.
This fictional sample demonstrates the reasoning structure: scope, coverage, two source passages, an editor decision, and a clear question for the author. Novilot does not currently generate a finished editorial letter or replace your client-delivery workflow.
Riverlight
Synthetic working draft · continuity-only pass
Scope: chapters 1–28
Version: 2026-08-29 sample
Reviewer: example editor
Coverage statement
The pass checked recurring character facts, knowledge states, elapsed time, event order, location access, object state, and explicit world rules. It did not evaluate line-level style or confirm real-world facts.
Editorial boundary
Findings are possible conflicts, not automatic corrections. The editor verifies context, considers intention, and determines whether the author needs a query, recommendation, or no note at all.
Eastern service-door access
Finding 01 · World rule
Chapter 6 · source passage
“The eastern service door is never watched after midnight,” Mara said, pressing the brass key into Eli’s palm. “That is why this works.”
Possible contradiction
Novilot presents evidence. The editor decides what the finding means.
- Confirm issueThe passages cannot both be true
- Query authorContext is missing
- IntentionalThe difference serves the story
- DismissNot a real contradiction
Chapter 22 · conflicting passage
The guard at the eastern service door checked the clock—half past one—then waved Eli away. “Nobody comes through here after midnight.”
Editor interpretation
Chapter 6 presents the unguarded door after midnight as the reason the plan will work. Chapter 22 shows a guard stationed there at 1:30 a.m. That may be a continuity break, or it may reflect changed security after an off-page event. The surrounding scenes do not explain the change.
Question for the author
Has security at the eastern service door changed since chapter 6? If so, would a brief setup before Eli arrives make the new guard feel intentional?
Category summary
| Category | Reviewed status | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Characters | 2 confirmed · 1 author query | Name, knowledge, injury state |
| Timeline | 1 confirmed · 2 dismissed | Elapsed time, travel, event order |
| World rules | 1 author query | Access rule and established exception |
| Objects | No reportable findings | Ownership, condition, location |
Counts above are invented for this synthetic example and do not represent product accuracy, speed, or typical manuscript results.
Before this reaches a client
- Reopen every cited passage in the agreed manuscript version.
- Remove false positives and intentional variation.
- Write the interpretation in your own professional voice.
- State the pass scope and what it did not evaluate.
Use the working template
Copy the checklist or editorial-report structure, then adapt it to your engagement.
Open continuity checklist