OPTIONAL SESSIONS

Instructions for “First Pages” sessions:

Open to: all attendees
Type: Picture book, novel, nonfiction, cover letter, query letter, or synopsis
Format: Standard manuscript style -- style consists of 1" margins, double-spaced, 12-point font, white paper. NOTE: Submissions not following requirements cannot be accepted.
Please include the title and type of manuscript. You may include your name or leave it off.
Length: The FIRST page of a manuscript. (up to 250 words)

Submission procedure: (1) Bring the first page of your manuscript on Saturday, October 8.
(2) Place it in a basket for either Cheryl Klein OR Michele Burke (not both).
NOTE: Please understand that depending on the number of submissions, time constraints may prevent the editors from getting to all of the pages.

RMC-SCBWI Fall Conference Critique Clinique

In an effort to provide more critique opportunities for writers, RMC-SCBWI is offering a "Critique Clinique" at our Fall Conference.

Submitted manuscripts will first be reviewed by a panel of published authors. The authors will recommend manuscripts they believe are ready to receive an editorial critique, up to the maximum number of critiques the editor is able to do.

Those that are recommended will be sent to the editor for critique and the author will meet one-on-one with an editor at the Fall Conference, Saturday, October 8. Editors for the Fall Conference are Yolanda LeRoy (Charlesbridge Publishing), Cheryl Klein (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic), and Michele Burke (Knopf/Random House).

Those manuscripts that are not recommended will receive a written critique from a published author that will be handed back to the author at the Fall Conference, Saturday, October 8.

Unlike writing contests, the Clinique provides each entrant a valuable and constructive critique from either an author or an editor.

Things to note:

INSTRUCTIONS FOR CRITIQUE CLINIQUE:

Note: We will remove the cover page and assign your manuscript a number so reviewing remains anonymous.

You will be notified by postcard regarding whether you will receive a critique by an author or an editor so don't forget to include your SASP!

Standard Manuscript Style:

1" margins, double-spaced lines, 12-point font (preferably Courier or Courier New but Times New Roman also accepted) on white paper. For purposes of this critique, the first page of your manuscript may begin at the top of the first page, rather than partway down as in standard submission style. Please include page numbers. Include a header with the title and page number but no name. Please do not staple manuscripts.

Manuscript Submission Requirements:

Picture books – a complete picture book manuscript or a picture book dummy up to 3000 words may be submitted. PLEASE don't send costly or irreplaceable picture book dummies.

Early Readers, Middle Grade, and YA Novels – up to 10 manuscript pages may be submitted, plus a one- or two-page, double-spaced synopsis. (Try to find a natural stopping place for your manuscript pages, such as the end of a scene, time drop or chapter end)

Questions on the Clinique? Contact Marjorie Parker at jandmparker@comcast.net.

Instructions for Group Portfolio Review

Bring your portfolio with you on October 8. Do not mail it. Portfolios should measure no more than 24" x 32" (the standard large portfolio size) and contain no more than 12 pieces. Only the first three to twelve pieces will be reviewed, depending on the quantity of portfolios. Each piece should be your very best work, presented as neatly as possible. You may also bring take-home pieces for the reviewers.

If you have questions, contact Bobbi Collier - Morales at robertacm@comcast.net.

Instructions for Personal Portfolio Evaluation Sessions

Bring your portfolio with you on October 8. Portfolios should measure no more than 24" x 32" (the standard large portfolio size) and contain no more than 15 pieces . You may include works in progress. These fifteen-minute, one-on-one meetings with Wendell Minor are offered at $20 each. Only 5 spots are available; if more than 5 people request portfolio evaluations, a lottery will be held. If you have questions, contact Bobbi Collier-Morales at robertacm@comcast.net.