OCWW Manuscript Guidelines

One of the outstanding benefits to being an OCWW member is the opportunity to have your work critiqued by some of our highly qualified speakers. To check if a speaker is accepting manuscripts please scroll down to the list below. 

Plan Ahead to Get Feedback on Your Writing

Manuscript Critique Info and Deadlines 2018-2019

Manuscript Critiques and Contests are for 2019-2020 OCWW members only

For Fred Shafer Only

Fred Shafer will write comments on fiction manuscripts in all genres, for readers of all ages.  Manuscripts up to 20 pages, double-spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt font with 1 inch margins may be sent to his home, at 2128 Lincolnwood Drive, Evanston 60201. Please allow time for mail delivery. Manuscripts and a check for $3.00 per page made out to Fred Shafer must be received by Thursday, August 29.  After that date, writers can bring their submissions and checks to the first three meetings at the Winnetka Community House. He will not accept manuscripts at the final meeting. 

For all Speakers, unless otherwise indicated. Manuscripts should be sent as an attachment to email: ocww.info@gmail.com Manuscripts should be in Word, double spaced, Times New Roman 12 point font with one inch margins, pages numbered, and name on the front or in the header.  They should be received and paid for no later than 2 weeks before the workshop. 

  PLEASE NOTE: Different speakers may have additional requirements or guidelines for manuscript submission. See the event description below for complete details.

3.  Mandatory $10 Speaker Session Fees:

In addition to the manuscript  critique fee, a single $10 session fee is required to submit a manuscript for an OCWW speaker’s critique. This $10 fee pays for the attendance of the session; this fee is due even if the member does not attend the speaker’s session.

4.  Speaker’s Critique Fee:

 $3 per page, with a 20 page maximum. *Please note there is a $15 (even if you submit less that 5 pages) minimum*

5.  How to Pay for Your Critique:

·       Once your manuscript is received, you will be sent an invoice to allow for quick and easy online payment. Manuscripts cannot be passed onto the speaker without advance payment. Payment must be received at least two weeks before the workshop. Please plan ahead if you prefer to bring cash or check payable to OCWW to a meeting, or mail to OCWW, c/o Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka, IL  60093. Please contact ocww.info@gmail.com if you haven't received your invoice. 

Speakers and Deadlines:

Jac Jemc September 26

Randy Nichols October 3

(for police and combat details) 

Zoe Zolbrod October 24

Sara Connell Flash Fiction Ghost Story Contest October 17

(free, members only up to 500 words)

Nadine Kenney Johnstone November 14

Inclusion in David Berner's Handout for Discussion November 14

(free, 500 word limit, 12 accepted in order of acceptance)

Goldie Goldbloom December 12

(accepting first 2 manuscripts received and paid for)

Eileen Favorite  (Synopsis 500-600 words $15) December 19

(Must be willing to allow their synopsis to be included in the handout and discussed at the session. First 5 accepted.)

Eric Rampson January 2

Mary Ruth Clarke  for January 16 

(Member only Critique for of Comedy, Drama, Dramedy, Plays, Screenplays, or Teleplays)

(also deadline for free entry into member only Compelling Scene Contest. Please see event description for details.)

Sophie Lucida Johnson January 23

(Critique for humor)

Kate Hannigan January 30

John McCarthy February 6

(Poetry and prose)

Rachel Jamison Webster February 13

(The first 15 Poetry or Non-fiction manuscripts)

Cyn Vargas February 20

Abby Saul March 6 First Five Pages 

(specify if a book or short story)

Jennifer Solheim April 2

Joanna Mackenzie (1 page single spaced query letter for $15) April 16

Marcy Posner (1 page single-spaced query letter for $15) April 16

Jane Hertenstein Free, up to 500 Word Flash Contest for members only April 23

OCWW does not disclose manuscripts submitted by its Members for critique by any OCWW workshop instructor/presenters to any source other than the instructor/presenter to whom the manuscript has been directed at the request of our OCWW Member. The organization serves only as the convenience conduit for transmittal of the manuscript to the person chosen by the author to perform the critique, nothing more. It is at the sole discretion of the manuscript writer as to whether they wish their name to be disclosed in any open forum reading or critique of the manuscript at any OCWW workshop. All instructions in that regard are between the author and the person designated to perform the manuscript critique.