Children's Writer's Guild Forum » Highlights Critique Group #1

Hello, Group 1!

(16 posts)

  1. Sheila
    Inactive

    Hi, Everyone! I am so pleased to be part of this wonderful Highlights inspired group! I can't wait to read everyone's work, and to work with each and every one of you. Please note that I will be emailing everyone an acknowledgement form to sign. Please sign it, and mail it back to me as soon as possible. If anyone doesn't understand what I am referring to, please let me know. However, I think that we should go ahead and begin discussions on how to decide who is first up.

    Since Jack and I have the opportunity to receive frequent critiques, we are happy to let everyone else go first.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  2. John
    Inactive

    Hello, Group 1! I'm checking in to see if the posting problem has been solved. Just testing...

    Posted 4 years ago #

  3. dagwood
    Inactive

    Testing...

    Posted 4 years ago #

  4. phutchison
    Inactive

    Hi Guys in group 1! I am ready whenever you all are! It doesn't matter to me who goes first. I actually don't really have much in the works right now. So if someone else wants to take the plunge, have at it! See you all in cyberspace.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  5. Sheila
    Inactive

    O.K. So far we have Jack, Patti, and me giving up first dibs. Anyone else?...

    Posted 4 years ago #

  6. tanyab
    Inactive

    I don't mind either way. I have something that can be workshopped, but if someone is chomping at the bit to get their stuff critiqued, then by all means, that's fine.

    This may have been covered already in the numerous emails, but I can't seem to find specifics for our group, i.e. how long the stories that we're submitting are supposed to be, and if we're submitting one or several if our stories are shorter than that length.

    By the way, I just found out today that one or more of my poems is going to be published in an anthology next year. Woo hoo!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  7. Sheila
    Inactive

    Congratulations, Tanya! That is wonderful news!!! Jack is a poet as well, and just recently submitted a few of his poems to a poetry contest.

    Group 1 is technically the group that critiques no more than 10-12 pages per month ( the equivalency or more of a VERY long picture book). Group 2 is geared more toward multiple works. I had to make group assignments based on a number of factors, but of course, I want everyone to feel happy where placed. If anyone would like to move at a faster pace and cover more ground, transferring to the other group is an option. Having said that, Marvin has a book that he wants to send out to publishers soon (15 chapters, approx. 17,000 words). My feeling is that Group 1 could tackle a book of this length one chapter per month (with others having their chance in-between as well), but this approach would take more time.

    I know that you had kindly offered to read as much as you could handle, but I don't want to speak for you. For our part, since Jack and I are also responsible for Guild critiques, we just can't commit to more than 10-12 pages per month. This should not stop others in our group from doing more, if they so desire. I would encourage members to read/critique as much as they wish. However, this group was formed from feedback that indicated to me that many of our existing members do not have the time for many critiques or very lengthy ones.

    I hope that everyone will soon share their thoughts on these matters.

    Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  8. Marvin in Tyler
    Inactive

    I'm willing to go first if no one else is "chomping at the bit." The only thing we need to decide is how much should the submission include? For example, I have a chapter book containing about 15 chapters and over 17,000 words. IF I go first, how much of that should I submit? How much time do each of you have for this critiquing activity? In lieu of that lengthy chapter book (or part of it,) I could submit a shorter manuscript, say something for a picture book. Let's decide how large or small we need to make the submission process.

    Marvin

    Posted 4 years ago #

  9. Sheila
    Inactive

    I just heard from Amie. She had to suddenly go out of town, but she has also kindly offered to go to the end of the line. That means that Jack, Patti, Amie and Sheila are now all at the end of the line! That leaves Marvin, Sue, and Tanya.

    Also, we need to hear from everyone on length of submission. Jack and I can't do more than 10-12 pages per month.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  10. Sheila
    Inactive

    I'm back! Having just reviewed all comments thus far on our different Group 1 threads, it would seem that everyone has weighed in on how they feel about going first. It looks as though Sue and Tanya are willing to yield to another member, so I propose that we let Marvin go first.

    This does not solve our overall problem, however, of how to decide who should go next. Obviously, Sue or Tanya should be next.

    Over time, all of this will probably just fall into place.

    So, I nominate Marvin, and I think that Marvin's idea about submitting his picture book is a great idea.

    Will anyone second the motion?

    Don't forget, though -- you have to have a signed acknowledgement form back to me before the writer can share his/her manuscript. Also, I need originals.

    Thanks, Everyone!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  11. Marvin in Tyler
    Inactive

    I'm willing to do whatever the group wants to do. I do have a couple of picture book manuscripts. Both are currently before different publishers, but neither publisher has accepted or rejected them. Since rejection is more likely than acceptance (experience, not negative attitude!) it would help to have the group critique the story before I send it to the next publisher. If I should get lucky and have it accepted, no harm done in getting the group's comments. (It would be good practice!)

    Marvin

    Posted 4 years ago #

  12. Anonymous
    Unregistered

    Congratulations to Marvin and Tanya on being published and even anthologized! That is terrific!
    Janet

    Posted 4 years ago #

  13. Marvin in Tyler
    Inactive

    Thanks for being so patient with this "old man" who isn't up to speed with computer technology. I think I now have the "hang" of following forums and threads. I'm still willing to submit my picture book if no one else wants to be the "lead off batter," but I think everyone needs to know what we are up against. We all recognize that this is December and that means much activity for most everyone as they prepare for and celebrate Christmas or another religious holiday (Jewish, Muslim, etc.) Often the holidays includes travel. That' won't be much of a problem for ME, at least in December, but I WILL be traveling from 12/31 to 1/12/09. Does anyone see any problem with critiquing a manuscript in the next 3 weeks? IF we are all "on board" to proceed, and IF I am to step up to the plate, tell me when and how the manuscript is to be submitted. Will it be as an e-mail attachment sent directly to each member of Group 1 or simply posted to this forum? Should the manuscript be double spaced and should each page be numbered? How will the critiques be published? I'm excited about this and am looking forward to working with everyone and enjoying reading what each of you has written.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  14. Sheila
    Inactive

    Hi, Marvin!

    I agree that December is a very busy month. Sue is in Africa until December 6th, and Patti and i both feel that it would be better to postpone the first critique until after the holidays. I would propose that you e-mail everyone in Group 1 your picture book manuscript before the first week of January with the critiques to be delivered by January 31st. Manuscripts should be directly emailed (since this way we are not posting the work for just anyone to read until such time as this feature of the site becomes secure). Our critiques, however. can be attached to a post to the forum.

    Note the "Upload Files from your Computer" section below the reply box. That way we can all easily read the critiques in sequence.

    So... if this arrangement is O.K. with you, then I will create a new thread announcing that you will be emailing your story.

    Just let me know for sure.

    Have a safe trip!

    Posted 4 years ago #

  15. Marvin in Tyler
    Inactive

    That works for me! Clarify just one point for me. When you say "directly emailed", I take that to mean that I should attach my Word document manuscript to an e-mail rather than embed the manuscript within the actual email itself. (Am I knit-picking here?) Anyway, I'll be happy to get the show on the road by sending out my picture book manuscript to all Group 1 members sometime between December 25 and December 30. I will be traveling from December 31 to January 12.

    Posted 4 years ago #

  16. Sheila
    Inactive

    Normally, I just send my manuscripts out as an attachment to my e-mail. That works for me!

    I will go ahead and start a new thread for Group 1, letting them know that you will be sending out your picture book manuscript before January 1st for critiques to be delivered by January 31st.

    I'm looking forward to reading it!

    Posted 4 years ago #

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