Formatting and Submitting Manuscripts for Critique

Formatting Your Manuscript: A professionally formatted submission shows that you’re a writer who understands the business of writing and publishing for children. For a formatting guideline, download From Keyboard to Printed Page (PDF).

All critique entries MUST be formatted as described below:

• Double spaced
• One-inch margins
• 12 point Times New Roman Font
• Your contact information should appear on the first page in the upper left corner and must include:
  • Name
    Note: the name on the submission MUST match the name on your conference registration
  • Address, City, State
  • Email
  • Category [PB, CB, MG, GN, YA]
• All pages of your submission must be numbered. Place numbers in the upper righthand corner, beginning on the second page:
  • PAGE #, LAST NAME/TITLE
    Example: PAGE 2, FANNIN/DARKNESS
• The title should appear in all caps on the first page, centered and about halfway down. See sample first page below.

Submission Guidelines:

You may submit 1 copy of up to 10 pages of 1 manuscript.

• For Picture Books and Poetry: Submit only the first 800 words of one manuscript.
• For Chapter Books, Middle Grade Novels, Graphic Novels, and Young Adult Novels: Submit only the first 10 pages of 1 manuscript, even if it cuts off in the middle of a chapter.
• For Picture Books and Graphic Novels: Please submit your text only. Editors and agents will not be critiquing art. Consider signing up for a portfolio review if you’d like feedback on your artwork.
• Synopsis: if you are submitting the first ten pages of a chapter book, middle grade, graphic novel, or young adult novel, please include a synopsis. A synopsis should be single spaced and no longer than one page, approximately 250 to 300 words. Picture books do not require a synopsis. For more information on writing a synopsis, we suggest Jane Friedman’s Blog.
• You do not need to include the word count–just make sure to adhere to the formatting guidelines above.
• Please save your entry as one document in a Word.docx file including your manuscript and synopsis (if applicable). Please label your file with your last name, title, the critiquer’s last name, and save it as a Word.docx file:
  • LastName_Title_Faculty.docx
  • Example: Fannin_Darkness_Adams.docx

Submitting Your Manuscript:

Manuscripts may be submitted between July 11 and July 18, 2021, but must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 18.

• Send your formatted manuscripts to: scbwiccritiques@gmail.com
  • In the email Subject Line: Last Name_Title_Faculty
    Example: Fannin_Darkness_Adams
• Attach your Word.docx document as a separate file to your email (please do not paste your manuscript into your email!)
• In the body of your email, be sure to include:
  • Name [the name on the submission MUST match the name on your conference registration]
  • Address, City, State
  • Faculty Name

Questions:

Please contact our Critique Coordinator Vijaya Bodach (scbwiccritiques@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

THANK YOU!