2008 Oregon Christian Writers’ Summer Coaching Conference

Manuscript Coordination for Editor/Agent Reviews and Pro Writer Critiques

Updated: June 10, 2008

Send your mini-proposals ASAP to get your first choice of editor/agent/pro writer. All manuscripts must be submitted by the JULY 21st DEADLINE to be included in the manuscript review/critique program.

Contact: Leslie Gould, 2008 Manuscript Coordinator, This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

To: Everyone attending the summer conference 

The information in this letter is extremely important. This new system of manuscript coordination replaces everything we have done in the past regarding the pre-scheduling of editor and/or agent appointments.

**NOTE: A downloadable PDF of this document can be downloaded by clicking HERE. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat reader to view the file.*** Writer's Guidelines ("Who's Looking for What") are included in the PDF.

OVERVIEW OF THE PROCESS
This summer, you have the opportunity to submit ahead of time up to THREE mini-proposals of your manuscripts for editors and/or agents/or professional writers to look at before the conference begins. If an editor or agent sees potential in your work, they will either request that you send them a full proposal or a full manuscript after the conference, or they will request to meet with you for a 15–30 minute appointment during the conference.

SUBMITTING YOUR MANUSCRIPTS
You may submit up to three mini-proposals of your work: fiction, nonfiction, articles, poetry, or devotionals in any combination. For example, you may send one to an editor and two to pro writers; two to editors and one to an agent; all three to pro writers; etc. If you’re not sure which pro writer to submit to, I’ll make the appropriate choice for you from what you present in your cover letter. I will not, however, choose your editor or agent for you. This is something you must do. Study which editor or agent will be the best match for your work. Please research that house or magazine first to be sure you are making the best choice.

All mini-proposals must be submitted no later than Monday, July 21st, 2008 (one week prior to the conference) to:

Leslie Gould, Manuscript Coordinator
#185, 2000 NE 42nd Ave. Ste. D
Portland, OR 97213-1359

It is your responsibility to study the posted list of editors, agents, and professional writers who will be attending the conference, and to choose the ones you feel are best suited to review or critique your work. (See the list at the end of this letter.)

YOUR MINI-PROPOSAL
Use centered letter-head for your letter and quality paper and printing for your letter, proposal, and manuscript. Include:

• A one-page cover letter that 1.) includes your e-mail address and contact info; 2). personally addresses the editor, agent, or pro writer you have chosen; 2.) briefly describes the work: what genre/category it fits into, how long it is (word count), how it compares to what is already in the marketplace, if the work is finished, and your credentials for writing it.

• Up to a one-page (single-spaced) summary of what your book or article is about.

• Up to the first 15 pages of your work (double-spaced).

• Each proposal is to be printed on a hard copy (no e-mail); should have your name, the title of the work, and the page number at the top of each page; should not be stapled or bound in any way; should not exceed 17 pages total; and should be sent to me separately, in its own 9 x 12 envelope. Yes, all mini-proposals (up to three) need to be submitted to me in separate 9 x 12 envelopes.

• I will e-mail you to confirm that I have received your submission. You do not need to write a letter to me. Your cover letter will tell me all I need to know.

Format your manuscripts in the standard manner:

• 12-point font in Times New Roman (preferably)

• one-inch margins all around

• half-inch indentations on all new paragraphs

• fully double-spaced manuscript pages

• turn off Widow and Orphan Control

• proof for typos

• run a spell-check

• take another look…and another look

NEW WRITERS
If you are just starting out as a writer, or you are not sure if you’re ready to submit to an editor or agent, please choose to receive critique from a professional writer instead. Professional writers are published freelancers who have years of experience in your genre. They will be happy to take a look at your work, and will offer more extensive feedback and advice on how to proceed.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AT THE CONFERENCE
As Manuscript Coordinator, I will distribute the manuscripts (that conferees have mailed to me by the July 21st deadline) to the appropriate editors, agents, and professional writers on Sunday afternoon, July 27th. Editors, agents, and pro writers will read your proposals and return them to the Manuscript Retrieval Center (the front desk area in Riverfront Lodge) as soon as possible, aiming to have them all finished and returned by Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.

• You will be able to start retrieving your proposals Monday night after the main session (sometime around 9:00 p.m.). The Retrieval Center will be manned by an OCW conference staff member until faculty has turned in all proposals and picked up by conferees.

• You will receive some feedback (but not much) on a specially designed single-page Manuscript Review Form. These forms will give editors and agents the opportunity to point out the strengths and weaknesses they see in your work. If they want to meet with you at the conference, they will make this clear on the forms. If editors or agents have requested to meet with you, it will be your responsibility to find that editor or agent and to schedule a good time and place to meet.

• Remember, submitting your work to an editor or agent gives them the opportunity to decide if your work is appropriate for them. Do not expect extensive critique or feedback.

• Those reading your mini-proposals may write on them, so bring other copies with you to the conference.

• There will be opportunities to share your work with other conferees and pro writers for critique and feedback.

• Faculty members who are willing to read your work on-the-spot and give you feedback will man a walk-in center.

NEW SYSTEM OFFERS MORE OPPORTUNITIES
By now, I hope you realize that even though this new system effectively eliminates the way OCW has organized editor/agent appointments in the past, it will, however, give you more opportunities to have someone read your work and give you constructive feedback. It will also lessen the strain on our editors and agents. They want you to be prepared to talk to them. They want to receive proposals that are appropriate for their houses or agencies. This is your chance to make the connection.

If you have questions about the process, send me an e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I’m looking forward to working with you in this process!

Happy writing,

Leslie