Manuscript Critique Guidelines

Critique/Portfolio Review Submission Guidelines

HOW TO SUBMIT:

1-1 Live Virtual Critiques/Portfolio Review Submission Due: September 5th

If you have purchased more than one critique, each submission must be uploaded separately to the respective submission forms.

Written-Only Critiques Submissions Due: September 29th

If you have purchased more than one critique, each submission must be uploaded separately to the respective submission forms.

FORMS TO SUBMIT ARE FOUND UNDER MY EVENTS > FIND YOUR FACULTY > MEETING INFO BUTTON

FOR WRITTEN WORK - WHAT TO SUBMIT:

Manuscript Package Specifications

Submit one (1) manuscript package as a Word doc:

A brief cover letter (a half page or less) addressed to selected critique faculty with a synopsis [Like a query letter, with meta data].
The author’s name, title, and page number on each page. [Smith / Twinkle Twinkle / 1]
The name on your manuscript must match the name used to register for the conference. No pen names, please.
Name the file “YourLastName.YourFirstName.Title.doc” [E.g.: “Smith.John.TwinkleTwinkle.doc”]
Save the cover letter/synopsis and manuscript as one document.
Email manuscript package to the appropriate email address *see below
The first ten (10) pages of a manuscript formatted using standard formatting rules. Any pages over the ten (10) page limit will not be critiqued. Manuscripts should be:

Double spaced, in 12 point Times New-Roman, black font color
One inch margins
First line of every paragraph indented half of an inch
Do not add an extra space or blank line between paragraphs
You may include dummy artwork if presented well, but faculty are not required to comment on artwork

Genre Submission Tips

Picture Books: Picture book manuscripts must be limited to ten (10) pages. You may include dummy artwork if presented professionally, but faculty are not required to comment on artwork. For pure illustration, see portfolio reviews.
Novels (chapter books, middle grade and young adult): Submit the first ten (10) pages of your manuscript, even if it cuts off mid-chapter.

Please note, cover letters and synopses will not be critiqued. They exist only to give the critique faculty a better idea of the story.

Failure to comply with the guidelines or to provide a manuscript within the stated deadline may preclude an Attendee from receiving a critique.

No refunds shall be provided. Missed critique appointments cannot be made up or refunded.

FOR ILLUSTRATED WORK - WHAT TO SUBMIT:

Portfolio Package Specifications

Recommendations from Art Director, Mallory Grigg: Share a website rather than a PDF portfolio. Since that is what art directors look for when hiring an artist, a website tends to be the most helpful: you include all of their work, and during the Portfolio Review you can also talk about how your online presence might be perceived by ADs and Designers looking to hire. That being said, if you would prefer to look at a more curated selection, a PDF is totally fine, too! Whatever you think will help you get the most out of the 10 min session.

For questions, email [email protected]