Our final critique of 2026 is coming up on October, 24 th. This is a great time to
get a manuscript of up to 2500 words looked at. If you aren’t a member, this is a
fantastic opportunity to see what LCRW can contribute (in addition to the six speakers
we have each year.)
This is a LCRW function. You may participate one time only if you are a non-
member.
ALL manuscripts must be emailed to the moderator, Steve Yates at
writingsbysay@yahoo.com by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, October 14 th (Note, this is
ten days before the critique session.) Any submissions received after that will be
handled as time permits, at the end of the critique session.
Critiques will be discussed in the order they are received.
You will be receiving a manuscript from each participant and are expected to print
it out and have your critique of their work at the meeting. (If you use MS Word’s
“Comment” option, there is no need (although it is nice) to print it out as long as you
send it to the author before the session.)
Your manuscript must be formatted using: Times Roman, Courier, Tahoma, or
Verdana font at 12 points. Margins should be to one inch. Double space.
Be sure to number your pages (Insert / Page Number). Also, it makes critiquing
easier if you insert line numbers (Open the Page Layout ribbon / Click Line Numbers in
the Page Setup section / Select your options from the popup menu.)
Save your document in: .doc, .docx, or .rtf formant. (All major word processing
programs have this capability.) All manuscripts will be converted to .pdf by the
facilitator, with line numbers inserted if you have not already done so.
Please limit your submission to about 2500 words. (You may send as many
words as you like. The person critiquing may stop at any time after 2500 words.)
Starting time is 9:00 AM Saturday, October. 24th. Please be ready to start then.
1605 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 Enter via the Police Annex. We are the
first room on the left. Parking is in the rear.
Please do not submit first drafts. Spend some time editing before you send it out.
All manuscripts are forwarded as soon as they are received (if you send it 15 days before
the critique, it will be sent out then) it is requested you don’t send a modified copy of
your manuscript after the original has been dispersed.
Everyone who submits a manuscript will be expected to critique all other entries
and ensure they receive a copy of your comments. (You are not required to send your
critique to the recipient before the critique, but it is useful.) In addition, we always have
people who wish to share their knowledge of writing, yet not submit. Those wishing to
only critique are always welcome.
As a reminder, please do not comment unless asked a direct question while your
ms is being critiqued. You will be given time at the end. (If we have seven manuscripts
with seven critiques, that leaves only 3:30 for each critique.)
The following information should be on the first page, before your story begins. (You
may wish to copy/paste this to your manuscript and answer them.)
Please include your email address at the top of the page.
Genre: (Fantasy, Romance, etc.)
Demographic (target audience):
How long is the final piece (short story, novel):
Is there back story we need to know to understand what is going on:
Where does this fit in your manuscript (i.e.: two-thirds of the way through):
What questions do you want answered:
When critiquing, consider:
Are the characters developed. (You may not get to this in a limited piece)
Is there a strong sense of the setting/time.
Is it original (Not a requirement. Some of the best stories are a retelling.)
