One-on-One Critiques with
MMRWA's Published Authors

       Once again, MMRWA's published authors will be offering one-on-one critiques of your synopsis and/or first chapters (50 pages max.). For only $15, you can sit down with "someone who's been there," for compliments on what you're doing right, and suggestions on areas that may need work. This has been a marvelous fund-raiser for our Chapter, and of incalculable benefit to those being critiqued.

       Dawn Bartley will match you up with an author on a first-come/first-served basis for a constructive, in-depth critique of your proposal or first chapters. Meeting times can be set up at the Retreat--or, if you can't make it to the Retreat this year, but would still like to take advantage of this service, other arrangements can be made with the participating author to deliver your critique in person, by phone, or by mail.

       Here is a list of authors, along with the genres they will critique. Author availability is subject to change.

	Rosanne Bittner: Historical.
	Jackie Braun: Contemporary.
	Diane Burton: Paranormal or single title.
	Sue Charnley: Historical.
	Lisa Childs: Contemporary or suspense.
	Wil Emerson: Contemporary or suspense
	Melissa Ford: Contemporary, Young Adult.
	Nancy Gideon: Any genre.
	Aileen Hyne: Historical.
	Laurie Kuna: Historical, Paranormal.
	Kathleen Nance: Any genre.
	Maris Soule: Contemporary.
	DeAnna Talcott: Short Contemporary.

Critique Guidelines:

       Please remember to submit no more than 50 pages total, synopsis and ms pages combined. All manuscript pages are due to the critiquer by April 1, 2006, unless both parties agree to a different date. If you are unable to meet the deadline please remember MMRWA offers ongoing critiques. You may submit your manuscript at a later date. Refunds can only be given to those parties who request a refund before retreat. No monies will be refunded after retreat.

        After you are matched up with a critiquer, you will be sent a form with the following questions, which will give your critiquer a better idea of what you want/need.

	Where are you in your writing career? (Please check all that apply.) __ Just beginning __ Working on first story __ Have completed one manuscript __ Have completed several manuscripts __ Have entered at least one contest __ Have submitted at least one manuscript to an editor/agent
	Have you ever been critiqued before? __ yes __ no
	Do you belong to a critique group? __ yes __ no
	Where are you in the development of this particular manuscript? __ Still brainstorming __ Working on first draft __ In revision __ Ready to submit to a contest/editor/agent
	What market do you see as your target audience? ____ category ____ romantic suspense ____ mainstream ____ historical ____ paranormal ____ women's fiction ____ Other (please explain) ________________________
	Are there any elements of the craft of writing on which you want particular guidance? __ GMC __ plot __ characters __ story arc __ conflict __ POV __ active/passive voice ___dialogue __ other (please specify) _________________________________
	Before you send your manuscript pages to the critiquer make sure you have formatted correctly. ___ 1" margins all around ___ double spaced ___ 12 point font ___ clean copy ___ spell check ___ grammar check

       Don't miss this great opportunity to fine-tune your work! Check the "Critique" block on your Retreat Registration form, and contact Dawn Bartley, members@midmichiganrwa.org, for details and author assignments. Please put either Attn: Dawn or Critiques in the subject line.