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CRITIQUE CLINIQUE

THE DEADLINE FOR THE CLINIQUE HAS NOW PASSED. THANK YOU TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED.

Back by popular demand! In an effort to provide more feedback opportunities for writers, RMC-SCBWI is once again offering a Critique Clinique at our Fall Conference.

Check out the Critique Clinique FAQ for more info!

THE PROCESS

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. Recommended manuscripts will be sent to the editor for critique and the author will meet one-on-one with the editor at the Fall Conference, Saturday, September 23. Editors for the Fall Conference are Jennifer Wingertzahn (Clarion Books) and Susan Burke (Atheneum). 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, September 23. Unlike writing contests, the Clinique provides each entrant a valuable and constructive critique from either an author or an editor.

THINGS TO NOTE

  • If you received an editorial critique last year, you may NOT resubmit the same manuscript this year. You may, however, submit a different manuscript.
  • If you received an author critique last year and have revised the manuscript, you may resubmit the same manuscript this year.
  • ONE manuscript per participant, please.
  • Manuscripts will be assigned to editors or authors according to age level and genre. Authors may NOT request a specific editor.
  • You may NOT receive both an editor critique and an agent pitch session. Please indicate your preference on the Agent Pitch Request Form in case you receive both.
  • You must be an attendee of the Fall Conference on Saturday, September 23, to participate in the Clinique.
  • The panel reserves the right to recommend only the strongest manuscripts for editorial critique.
  • If two manuscripts seem equally strong, we will prioritize by the following membership status:

    RMC-SCBWI Member

    SCBWI Member from another chapter

    Non-member

  • Manuscripts and conference registration must be RECEIVED by Saturday, August 5, or the entry will be disqualified. There will be NO exceptions!

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CRITIQUE CLINIQUE

  1. Prepare your manuscript according to the Standard Manuscript Style and Manuscript Submission Requirements described below. Manuscripts that do not meet the style and submission requirements cannot be accepted.
  2. Complete the Critique Clinique Registration Form.
  3. Send the following to our Critique Clinique Coordinator:
    1. A completed Critique Clinique Registration Form
    2. TWO copies of your manuscript submission (WITHOUT any contact or identifying information except the title and page numbers)
    3. Proof of conference registration from the registrar (copy of email confirmation or postcard). Note that your PayPal confirmation is NOT proof--this must go to the Registrar and she will send you confirmation of your registration– manuscript will not be considered without this
    4. Check for $40 (SCBWI members) or $55 (non-SCBWI members) made out to RMC-SCBWI.

Cheryl Reifsnyder, Manuscript Critique Coordinator

1019 Vivian Circle Boulder, CO 80303

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: RECEIVED no later than Saturday, August 5, 2006

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CLINIQUE
PARTICIPANTS: August 5, 2006

Proof of registration must accompany your Clinique registration or your manuscript will be disqualified.

You will be notified by email or postcard no later than August 30 whether you will receive an author or editor critique.

Standard Manuscript Style:

1" margins, double-spaced lines, 12-point font (Courier New or Times New Roman) 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. Please include the title and page numbers on each page but NO NAME OR OTHER IDENTIFYING INFORMATION. Please do not staple manuscripts.

Manuscript Submission Requirements:

Picture books – may submit a complete picture book manuscript up to 3000 words. Please DO NOT send costly or irreplaceable picture book dummies. Book dummies will NOT be accepted.

Early Readers, Middle Grade, and YA Novels – may submit up to 10 manuscript pages, 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 Cheryl Reifsnyder at nai@bytehenge.com.

Please note that even if you do not receive an editorial critique, the editors at the Fall Conference will accept submissions after the Conference from Conference attendees and are happy to visit with you during the Conference.

CRITIQUE CLINIQUE FAQ

1. I accidentally put my name on each page of the manuscript. Can I send you a corrected version?

We're sorry, but we can't accept replacement pages or substitutions after we have received your manuscript. Please check and double-check your submission before you mail it out.

2. Can I choose the editor I want to review my manuscript?

Due to the number of manuscripts we receive, we can't allow authors to request a specific editor. However, we do consult with the editors and will place a manuscript with the editor who is most suited to it.

3. My manuscript was postmarked by the deadline date. Why was it disqualified?

Because of our tight schedule this year, manuscripts needed to be RECEIVED by the deadline date, not postmarked by that date. This was clearly stated in the instructions and we're very sorry you missed it.

4. I forgot to include a synopsis with my novel manuscript submission. Can I send it now?

No. A synopsis is not necessary, only suggested. The manuscript can be reviewed without it.

5. My first chapter ends on page 11 and the limit is 10 pages. Can I just send 11 so you'll have a complete chapter?

No. Please limit your manuscript to 10 pages. If your chapter is longer than 10 pages, look for a natural stopping point before that and send the pages up to that point. If we receive a manuscript over the page count (for novels) or word count (for picture books), it will be disqualified.

6. My beautiful picture book dummy was disqualified! Why?

Since the majority of editors request picture books in manuscript form, our instructions require that your picture book manuscript also be submitted in standard manuscript form. If you are an author/illustrator, your text should still be submitted in manuscript form. If the manuscript needs the illustrations to be understood, please use illustration notes to indicate illustrations, not actual illustrations.

7. How do you select the authors who provide written critiques?

All authors invited to critique are published authors in the same genre as your manuscript and have a good track record with providing helpful feedback on manuscripts.

ADVICE FOR HAVING A MEANINGFUL EDITORIAL CRITIQUE

For some good advice on preparing for and participating in a one-on-one critique with an editor, click the title to download a copy of the following articles:

"Preparing for Your One-On-One Critique" by Gayle Jacobson-Huset.

"How to Prepare for Your One-On-One Critique: Insights from Editors and Authors" by Gayle Jacobson-Huset.