What does a publishing reader do?

A publishing reader assesses manuscripts and author queries sent to a literary agency, publishing house, or publication, such as a literary journal. At large agencies or publications, a professional reader is typically the first person to see a manuscript, and their duties are to assess the merit and viability of each manuscript and determine whether it should be rejected or sent up to an editor or literary agent. At smaller agencies or publications, an agent or editor may be the person responsible for reading manuscripts. Production companies or film agencies have a similar position called a script reader.