For an additional fee of $20.00 you may purchase a critique of your manuscript and/or synopsis with the reviewer of your choice.
All submissions need to follow standard manuscript formatting: Courier or Times New Roman font, 12 point font size, double spaced with 1-inch margins. Do not send more than 20 pages. Manuscripts must be submitted through the form below and received by the September 12, 2014 deadline. Payment will be submitted through the Critique Submission Form.
If the reviewer you choose is available to meet and discuss your submission, he or she will contact you to set appointment time.
Each submission will be critiqued only once. Critiques of revised pages are not included. Please do not request this from your critiquer.
Reviewers Available
Please read the reviewers’ bios and genre preferences. On the Critique Submission Form, indicate your first and second choice. Critiquers have a limited number of slots available. Selection is done on a first come basis, so be sure to submit your manuscript early.
Shannon Dittemore
Shannon Dittemore is the author of the Angel Eyes trilogy. She has an overactive imagination and a passion for truth. Her lifelong journey to combine the two is responsible for a stint at Portland Bible College, performances with local theater companies, and a focus on youth and young adult ministry. When she isn’t writing she spends her days with her husband, Matt, imagining things unseen and chasing their two children around their home in Northern California. She is currently at work on her next YA novel.
I will critique YA fiction writers with a critical review of their work. Short stories and fiction excerpts are welcome with the understanding that I will provide writers with honest feedback. I am an author, not an editor, so please do not expect a thorough line edit.
Rather, my review will include a fellow author's reaction to the story, my emotional response, things I'd recommend, and possible next steps. I know the vulnerability it takes to present work to any audience, large or small, so please know I'll treat each submission with the highest respect.
I will be available for 15-minute face-to-face appointments during the conference with each writer whose work I critique. If our schedules do not allow for face time, a phone session can be arranged.
Susy Flory
Susy Flory is the author or co-author of eight books, including a New York Times bestseller. She grew up on the back of a quarter horse in Northern California and graduated from UCLA. She first started writing at the Newhall Signal with the legendary Scotty Newhall, an ex-editor of the San Francisco Chronicle and a one-legged cigar-smoking curmudgeon who ruled the newsroom from behind a dented metal desk where he pounded out stories on an Underwood Typewriter. She taught high school English and journalism, then quit in 2004 to write full time for publications such as Focus on the Family, Guideposts Books, and Today’s Christian Woman. Susy’s runaway bestseller, Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero (Thomas Nelson, 2011), co-written with Michael Hingson, hit the New York Times bestsellers list the first week of release. Susy lives in San Francisco with her husband, Robert, and their two children. In addition to writing books and articles, Susy was recently named to the Board of Directors for West Coast Christian Writers, an annual writer’s conference in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I will critique nonfiction books: collaborative writing, ghostwriting, personal experience stories, narrative nonfiction, and self-help
My goal for each critique is to make positive, practical suggestions to help writers bring their stories to life. Also, as a full-time career writer I can share what I’ve learned about getting published in today’s markets.
I am not available for face-to-face appointments during the conference but would be happy to answer questions by email.
Keli Gwyn
Award-winning novelist Keli Gwyn writes inspirational historical romance. She’s a member of Inspire, American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America® and is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary. Keli earned her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/Print Journalism from California State University East Bay and worked as a copyeditor for a small textbook publisher. Her debut novel, A Bride Opens Shop in El Dorado, California, was released by Barbour Publishing in July 2012 and re-released in September 2013 as a 2-in-1 called Golden State Brides. Her first short story will appear in Guidepost's “A Cup of Christmas Cheer” collection coming out in October. Her first Love Inspired Historical romance is due to hit shelves the summer of 2015. I will critique historical fiction. Here's what you can expect:
I'm honored to have writers entrust me with their work and will do my utmost to provide constructive feedback. Because I've worked as a copyeditor and love to help writers polish their prose until it shines, I provide comments on all aspects of craft, from plot and characterization to grammar and punctuation. I include smiley face comments, too, so writers can see what's working well.
I prefer to receive Word documents and use the tracked changes feature for my comments, which is the method my editors use.
I am available for 15-minute face-to-face appointments during the conference with those whose work I critique.
Jennifer Hamilton
Jennifer Hamilton is a freelance editor with JRH Editing. She has written for DaySpring Cards and Cook Communication’s The Quiet Hour, and co-wrote two Bible studies: A Garden in My Prison, A Study in the Book of Philippians and The 10 Commandments, 10 Words For Loving Relationships, and later, authored the 42-day devotional Daring Faith.
I’m open to critique memoir, fiction, and nonfiction book chapters.
You can expect encouraging and constructive comments and suggestions, even examples (while maintaining the author’s voice), for tighter wording that makes for more powerful prose and better flow. I’ll point out what is or is not working and why. I love teaching newer writers, so I’ll back up a lot of my suggestions with rules. I also believe in bending the rules if it works. Also, with brief stage production/assistant directing experience behind me, I look at work from an actor/director perspective.
I will be available for 15-minute face-to-face appointments during the conference with those whose work I critique.
Jeanette Hanscome
Jeanette Hanscome is the author of four books and over 400 articles, devotionals, and stories for both teens and adults. Her recent work includes a story for Guideposts magazine, a chapter in Rescue Dogs, Firefighting Heroes and Science Facts, and the short story Gifts,Volume 12 in the 12 Days of Christmas series. Her newest book, Running with Roselle was co-written with blind 9/11 survivor and New York Times Bestselling author Michael Hingson. She is a regular contributor to Encounter—the Magazine and LifeWay’s Journey devotional. Jeanette also works as a freelance editor and writing coach.
Genres: YA, middle grade, women’s fiction, devotionals, articles, personal experience stories
My goal for each critique is to help the writer take his or her manuscript to the next level and to bring out the story’s potential. Writers can expect a lot of feedback, including a balance of encouragement, suggestions for improvement, and direction as they pursue their next step on the road to publication.
I will be available for 15-minute face-to-face appointments during the conference with those whose work I critique.
David Hyde
Story is King! Formatting is Queen and all the little princes and princesses. David M. Hyde is an award winning columnist, published playwright, and a screenwriter. He has always had a passion for creative arts, particularly writing. However, growing up with wanna-be rock star and folk singer brothers and an actress sister, his parents wanted one "practical" child. So after two business degrees and 28 years in wholesale distribution, David has now returned to his creative side and honestly knows about "breaking in" to the writing world later in life. David has studied screenwriting at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and has finished work on his screenplay The Fireworks Stand. He is currently working on a TV MOV (movie of the week) screenplay, The Christmas Letters, as well as negotiating the movie rights for a John Gardner novel.
Genres: Screenplays (feature and shorts), stage plays, treatments, and query letters.
My critique goals are to be supportive, encouraging, and honest. My review will look for what jumps off the page and what does not as well as formatting, budgeting, and voice. Your first ten to twenty pages are best, but if you have a series of scenes that you want to have critiqued, that is okay too. Please submit your work in standard stage or screen formats. Word document or Celtx files are preferred.
I will be available at the conference for 15-minute face to face appointments for those whose work I critique.
Julie Williams
Julie Williams is a freelance editor serving writers through Inspire's publishing arm, Inspire Press and has produced six Inspire titles to date, including our very popular anthologies. Julie set the standards for all Inspire Press publications—and the standards are high!
She also mentors authors who choose to publish independently. As the publishing industry changes, these authors need an advocate, a mentor to walk their projects through the process from manuscript to published book. Julie's artistry, passion for accuracy, and attention to detail bring these books to life. Her gentle mentoring style draws out the best in each author she serves. Here's what they have to say:
"In three years, I've studied with three writing teachers. Julie has taught me more in the past year than the first two teachers combined. Always showering me with praises, she then gently encourages me to make corrections where needed. She pushes me to dig deeper and delve further into a character's feelings or motivation, or to rewrite a scene. When I finish those revisions the scene is vastly improved. In addition to teaching me how to improve my craft in a 100 different ways, she brings out creativity she believes is in me but I didn't know was there." Elaine Faber, author of Black Cat’s Legacy
"Julie has a servant's heart, a programmer's skill, and an artist's eye. She does an incredible job of editing manuscripts, formatting books, designing covers, and uploading it all to the printer and ebook websites. Inspire Press is privileged to have such a gifted and loving person on its team." Dana Suboro, managing editor of Inspire Press and author of Exit Cyrus, Continents Apart, and Adam’s Garden
I will review fiction and look forward to meeting with the writers, either at the conference or via Skype.
Ginny Yttrup
Ginny L. Yttrup won the Christy Award for her debut novel Words. Her latest release, Invisible, was honored as Romantic Times Book of the Year for Inspirational Fiction. Ginny also shares her love of words as a retreat speaker, workshop leader, and writing coach. Mother of two adult sons and one entitled Pomeranian, she is happiest when she’s outdoors with those she loves.
I will critique all fiction, devotionals, and articles.
As I critique your manuscript I will consider writing mechanics such as voice, POV, showing versus telling, dialogue, beats, pacing, etc. I will note your strengths as well as areas where you can continue to improve your writing. I will consider your overall concept and offer my thoughts regarding the direction your project is heading. Included in my critique will be resources to help you continue honing your skills. I love working with writers and encouraging them.
I am available for 15-minute face-to-face appointments during the conference with those whose work I critique.
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