Cascade Christian Writers Conference Manuscript Submission

We are extremely pleased to welcome 25 outstanding editors and agents from Christian publishing to our conference this year. Some will be meeting conferees through the Manuscript Submission Program and some will take “cold pitch” appointments (without prior review of a writing sample) during the conference. 

Registration opens May 15. During registration, conferees will have the opportunity to choose one (1) Manuscript Submission review (which may lead to an invitation to meet with that editor or agent during the conference) plus one (1) “cold pitch” appointment, for $35 each. 

• Cold Pitch Appointments: Reserve your 15-minute appointment with an editor or agent during registration ($35 additional charge) to pitch your story or book or discuss your writing goals/interests. Check the book editor, agent, and magazine editor listings to see who will be taking “cold pitch” appointments and what they are “looking for” to find the best match for your project. Appointments are limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Manuscript Submission Program: Submit a portion of your manuscript and get feedback from the editor or agent of your choice ($35 additional charge). If the editor or agent requests to meet, you will be given a 15-minute appointment during the conference. Details follow.

2021 Manuscript Submission Program

Manuscript Submissions: Reserve your opportunity to have your manuscript reviewed by an editor or agent through the Manuscript Submission Program ($35 additional charge). This may lead to a 1:1 appointment during the conference.

Remember, submitting your work to editors or agents gives them the opportunity to evaluate your work to see if it is appropriate for their house or agency. 

Beginning June 1, registered conferees who have reserved a Manuscript Submission spot with a particular editor or agent during registration will be able to send a magazine article or a mini-proposal for a book to the editor or agent via our manuscript coordinator. Deadline for this submission is midnight July 10. See guidelines below. *

Around August 1, conferees will receive their Response Sheets. Those reviewing your mini-proposals and articles may make suggestions on the Response Sheet, but do not expect extensive critique or feedback. 

If an editor or agent wishes to discuss your work, you will be invited to meet with that person during the conference. If you do not receive an invitation to meet (sometimes a project isn’t a good match for the editor/agent or they may have already acquired a similar project), you will have an opportunity to meet with another of our outstanding editors or agents for a “cold pitch” 15-minute appointment at no additional cost. 

*Manuscript Submission Guidelines
for Registered Conferees

Submission Details: 

Beginning June 1, registered conferees who have secured a Manuscript Submission spot with a particular editor or agent during registration will be able to send a magazine article or a mini-proposal for a book to the editor or agent via our manuscript coordinator at manusub@oregonchristianwriters.org 

(Note: Do not submit until June 1.) All manuscripts must be sent electronically as a Word or PDF attachment to an email to our manuscript submission coordinator by midnight July 10. 

Do not send anything directly to an agent or editor.

Please carefully follow these guidelines for submitting your mini-proposal or article. 

All manuscripts must be received by midnight PDT July 10 to be included in the Manuscript Submission Program. 

Submission and Payment Details: 

Check the list of book editors, agents, and magazine editors who will be reviewing through the Manuscript Submission Program to find the best match for your work. At the end of each editor and agent bio, you will find a list of “what we’re looking for” and in many cases “what we’re not looking for” also. Editors and agents have asked us to remind you to submit only what they indicate they are looking for. (Example: do not send a romance novel to an editor who acquires only nonfiction.) 

Please follow formatting guidelines. A devotional word count may be different than a magazine article. You must do your homework. 

Format all manuscripts in the standard manner:

• 12-point Times New Roman font 
• one-inch margins all around
• one-half-inch indents on all new paragraphs (set default, don’t use tab key or space bar)
• fully double-spaced manuscript pages—but the one-page cover letter and one-page proposal (required for book proposals) should be single-spaced
• widow and orphan control turned off
• spell-checked
• proofed for accuracy, typos, and grammar and punctuation errors

Take a look . . . and another look to make sure it’s the best it can be!

You will receive an email confirmation that your submission has been received. It is not necessary to respond to the confirmation email. Your cover letter** will provide everything necessary to process your manuscript. Note: You must have registered and reserved an appointment time slot with a particular editor or agent in order to submit through the Summer Conference Manuscript Submission Program. 

MINI-PROPOSAL FOR A BOOK

Each proposal must include a cover letter** (with your name and contact information centered at the top), synopsis, and manuscript pages.

Your submission must include:

• a one-page (single-spaced) cover letter that: 

• • provides your email address.
  • personally addresses the editor or agent you have chosen.
  • briefly describes the work—what genre/category it fits, word count, how it compares to what is already in the marketplace, if the work is finished, and your credentials for writing it (if nonfiction).

• a one-page (single-spaced) synopsis

• • for fiction, a summary of your novel that includes major story points and the ending. 
  • for nonfiction, the book synopsis may be written in either paragraph form or a chapter-by-chapter outline, depending on the type of book.

• up to the first 10 pages of your work (double-spaced). End at a logical place.

Your mini-proposal (including cover letter and synopsis) should be attached as a single Word or PDF document that includes your name, the title of the work, and the page number at the top of each page.

Your proposal (including cover letter and synopsis) should not exceed 12 pages total.

In the subject line of the email, write your last name followed by MS and the agent’s/editor’s last name, such as: Carter MS Apokedak. 

MAGAZINE ARTICLE SUBMISSIONS

See the Magazine Editors’ link to get acquainted with these great representatives. Please follow any formatting guidelines provided in that magazine editor’s listing.

Your article submission must:

• include a one-page (single-spaced) cover letter that: 

• • provides your email address.
  • personally addresses the editor or agent you have chosen.
  • briefly describes the work —the topic, word count, and your credentials for writing it.

• include your name, the title of the work, and the page number at the top of each page.
• not exceed 1,000 words (many completed articles or devotionals will contain fewer than that).

Your entry and one-page cover letter should be attached to an email as a single Word or PDF document that includes your name and the title of the work, with the page number at the top of each page.

In the subject line, please write your last name followed by MS and editor’s last name, such as: Johnson MS Langton. 

Please send any questions to mspquestions@oregonchristianwriters.org

Happy writing!