Manuscript Critiques

**Carefully read the submission instructions below.**

Manuscript Critiques take place on Sunday, April 12, at the Westin San Francisco Airport Hotel in Millbrae. Each critique is 15 minutes long and the agent or editor you selected during registration will review your work and prepare comments in advance of Golden Gate Fest. They will discuss these comments during the in-person meeting. Please confirm your availability for the listed date, time, and location before registering.

Manuscript critiques are an extra ADD-ON in addition to the Golden Gate Fest registration fee. There are a limited number of critiques available and may sell out.

Manuscripts submitted for critique will be eligible for our Golden Gate Writer’s Award.

Each critique is an IN-PERSON 15-minute meeting. ALL CRITIQUES WILL HAPPEN SUNDAY 4/12 AT THE WESTIN SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT HOTEL. There are NO REFUNDS if you cannot attend the meeting. 

Agent Sarah Stephens of Red Fox Literary will critique picture books, chapter books, nonfiction, and graphic novels.

Literary Assistant Sophie Sheumaker of BookEnds LIterary Agency will critique picture books, middle grade, and young adult.

Editor Esther Hernandez (formerly Cajahuaringa) of Alfred A. Knopf BFYR, Penguin Random House will critique picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels.

Associate Editor Danielle Collins of Beach Lane Books, Simon & Schuster will critique fiction and nonfiction picture books.

You may register for a Manuscript Critique AND a Roundtable/Pitch Clinic.

If you register for a Portfolio Critique, you cannot register for a Manuscript Critique (and vice-versa).  You can only choose ONE.

If you choose Manuscript Critique, you may only submit ONE manuscript.  Manuscripts are in the PB or MG and YA category.

Picture Books (PB)

PB manuscripts for critique are up to 1,000 words max, or 1,200 if non-fiction. (Note that many picture books are under 500 words these days. Just because you can submit up to 1000/1200 words doesn’t mean you should.) You have the option of including a one-page cover letter in addition to your manuscript.

**If you submit a manuscript longer than the max limit, we will cut it off before sending it to the faculty for critique.  So double check the submission instructions!

Chapter Books (CB), Middle Grade (MG), and Young Adult (YA)

Chapter Books and MG/YA novels for critique are up to 10 pages in length (2,500 words max). Optionally, you may also include a one-page synopsis, and/or a one-page cover letter, in addition to the 10 page sample.

**If you submit a manuscript longer than the max limit, we will cut it off before sending it to the faculty for critique.  So double check the submission instructions!

Graphic Novels (GN)

Graphic novels for critique are up to 10 pages in length (2,500 words max). Optionally, you may also include a one-page synopsis, and/or a one-page cover letter, and/or up to 3 pieces of artwork, in addition to the 10 page sample.

**If you submit a manuscript longer than the max limit, we will cut it off before sending it to the faculty for critique. So double check the submission instructions!

Please see the registration and pricing page for the critique add-on fees. 

Unfortunately, there are NO REFUNDS available for manuscript critiques. Because there are only a limited number available and may sell out, only register for a manuscript critique if you are ready to submit one and if you can make your chosen faculty’s meeting time. If you miss your meeting time, we will still email the feedback to you. 

Step One: Write a one-page cover letter (optional but recommended).

• Please address your letter to the particular agent you registered with or simply use “Dear Golden Gate Manuscript Reviewer,” which is also fine.
• Much like a query letter, this can be a quick note that includes a pitch/synopsis and any relevant biographical information.
• We highly recommend this opportunity to introduce yourself and your work to the faculty reader.
• (CH, MG, YA, GN only): Write a one-page synopsis, in addition to your cover letter (optional).
• (GN only): You may submit up to 1-3 additional artworks, in addition to your cover letter and optional synopsis (optional).
• **If you submit a cover letter longer than one-page, it will not be sent with your manuscript.  Please double check your submission!

Step Two: Format your manuscript:

• Your name and contact info in the upper left corner of the first page
• Your manuscript’s title centered in the upper middle of the first page
• Text starting half-way down the first page, double spaced
• 1 inch margins all around with name, title and page number in the header or footer
• 12 point Courier, Times or Arial type

Step Three: Create your Word file:

• Make sure your document contains the following (all in one file): 1) A cover letter (optional/recommended); 2) A synopsis page for MG/YA novels only (optional); 3) Your manuscript text
• Carefully proof, spell check, and edit all text. Then double check it. You can only submit ONCE so make sure you are ready.
• Create your Word file using the following titling format: [CRITIQUER’SLastName-YOURLastNameYOURFirstName-UP TO 3 WORDS OF TITLE] 
• (Example - Sheumaker-JaneDoe-HappyDragon.docx  or  Stephens-SmithJohn-DogsFantasticVoyage.docx)
• If you do not have Word and are using Google Docs (or other text editor), you can File > Download as a Word .docx

Step Four: Submit your single Word file.

• Click on the Manuscript Submission Form - located below AND after you register, in your Member Home > My Events > This Event > Meeting Info. (Will open February 20).
• Enter your contact information.
• Make note of the faculty you selected at registration.
• Upload your file per the instructions on that page.
• Click submit. You will receive an automated confirmation email.

The Manuscript Submission Form will open on February 20.

Dates and Deadlines

Submissions must be uploaded no later than 11:59 pm on March 15, 2026.

Q: Why do novel samples get 2,500 words and I can only submit one picture book per consultation under 1,000 words?

A: Novels and picture books are two very different storytelling mediums. Picture book texts must “make every word count” as well as share the page with illustrations for very young children. Novels are tens of thousands of words longer, and therefore require a slightly more substantial introduction for a manuscript consultant to provide adequate feedback.

Q: After I submitted my work, I made some changes and I want to replace my original submission with a new one. There is still time before the deadline, so can I do that?

A: No. Please upload your manuscript ONLY ONCE. We cannot accept multiple revised uploads. Proof your work carefully and submit when you are absolutely ready.

Q: If I am an author-illustrator, can I submit both a manuscript and pictures?

A: Author-illustrators may opt to submit along with the picture book manuscript ONE PDF dummy (or ONE PDF of several illustrated spreads) from the manuscript being reviewed.  Graphic novel creators may submit ONE PDF containing 1-3 artworks pertaining to their script. Refer to the Manuscript Submission Form for more details. Reviewers are only obligated to critique the story, not the art.

Q: Should I submit something that is polished and ready for publication, or should I submit something that I feel isn’t yet working that I want a professional’s input on?

A: There are pros and cons to both strategies. If your primary goal is to gain feedback into how to make your piece better, then submit something that you feel isn’t quite there yet, to obtain valuable professional insights. If, however, your primary goal is to either win an award or possibly make a connection that might lead to representation or a future sale, then you should submit your most polished, most ready-for-publication manuscript. Regardless of which strategy you choose, do your very best to remain open to feedback. There is always room for improvement.

Q: How come I can only register for a Manuscript Critique and not a Portfolio Consultation (or vice-versa) for this event?

A: We only have a limited amount of critiques and portfolio consultations available. Since we are offering affordable fees for San Francisco/South members and there are only a finite number of faculty per conference registrant, we want as many people as possible to have the opportunity to receive professional feedback. Thank you for understanding!

Q: I cannot make the scheduled time for my faculty’s 15-minute meeting. May I reschedule or receive a refund?

A: No. When you registered, you selected a timeslot and faculty. These are first-come first-serve, so make sure you are available during the general time frame listed. There are no refunds and we are unable to reschedule if you miss the session. If you miss your meeting, we will email your feedback to you if you submitted a manuscript.

Q: I registered for a manuscript critique but did not submit my manuscript on time. May I receive a refund?

A: No. There are no refunds available. Only register for a manuscript critique if you are absolutely ready to submit one. We are obligated to send the manuscripts to the reviewers in advance by a set due date and cannot make exceptions. If you register and do not submit a manuscript on time, we will not be able to fill your spot past the due date.

Q: I wanted to register for a Manuscript Critique but it is showing as “Sold Out”. Is there a waitlist available?

A: Yes, we have a waitlist in case of a cancellation, however, all manuscripts must be submitted by our deadline. You will receive an email if your name has been pulled up from the waitlist. Email [email protected] to be put on a waitlist, please note the faculty you would like a critique with.

If you have any further questions, please email our Manuscript Coordinator, [email protected].