Manuscript Critique Submission Info

**Carefully read the submission instructions below.**

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

You may register for ONE manuscript critique - a consultation with Zoom OR written feedback only.

FACULTY SCHEDULE AND CRITIQUE PREFERENCES

The agent or editor you selected during registration will review your work and prepare comments in advance of Virtual Agents and Editors Day.

(Abbreviations: PB - Picture Book, CB - Chapter Book, MG - Middle Grade, YA - Young Adult, NF - Non-fiction, GN - Graphic Novels)

Jim Averbeck, agent (PB, MG, YA, GN)

Stephanie Fretwell-Hill, agent (PB, MG, YA, GN)

Courtney Donovan, junior agent (PB, MG, YA)

Jennifer Thompson, associate editor (PB, MG, YA)

Foyinsi Adegbonmire, associate editor (MG, YA)

Manuscript critiques with a 15-minute Zoom consultation will be held on Saturday, April 26th from 12:00 - 1:35 pm Pacific Time. You will be able to choose your time slot when you submit your manuscript. The Zoom link will be emailed to you and available in the “Meeting Info” button in your events page. 

SUBMISSION POLICY

You may register for ONE Manuscript Critique AND a Roundtable.

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 6 pages in length, with 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 to the faculty for critique.  So double check the submission instructions!

• Middle Grade and Young Adult (MG and YA)

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.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

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

• Please address your letter to the particular faculty you registered with or simply use “Dear 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.
• (MG and YA only): Write a one-page synopsis, in addition to your cover letter (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- YOUR LastNameYOURFirstName- UP TO 3 WORDS OF TITLE] 
• (Example - Thompson-DoeJane-HappyDragon.docx  or  Averbeck-SmithJohn- DogsFantasticVoyage.docx) Yes, we know it’s wordy.
• 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. 
• Enter your contact information.
• Select your faculty choice.
• Upload your file per the instructions on that page.
• Choose your time slot (they are first come, first served).
• Click submit. You will receive an automated confirmation email.

Submit your manuscript here.

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

Dates and Deadlines

Submissions must be uploaded no later than Monday, March 24th, 2025.

Time Selection

For those who have a Manuscript Critique with Zoom consultation - you will be able to choose your timeslot when you upload your manuscript. Each 15-minute Zoom consultation will be held on Saturday, April 26th between 12:00 - 1:35 pm Pacific Time. Time slots are first-come, first-served.

Manuscript Critiques (with 15-minute Zoom consultation) -  $85.00

Manuscript Critiques (with no consultation, written-only feedback) -  $60.00

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.

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

A: No. When you upload your manuscript, there will be an option to choose your meeting’s time slot. 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.

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].