lcrwpres Presentation described

              Taking a Chance

                               By Rick Iekel

So, you’ve written something and you’re just not sure if it’s good as it could be. You really need someone to look it over, but, (Oh no!) I couldn’t possibly have one of my friends see it. They would probably just tell me how much they like it and that wouldn’t help. Who knows what they might think? They might even tell one of their friends how dumb I am.

Welcome to the LCRW Critique session. Three times each year, members have a chance to turn 2500 words of their manuscript over to six or seven other members who will read what you gave them and offer an objective review of your words. And you will do the same for them. Several important points guide each reviewer in the process. For example:

Reviewer should comment on the content, not the person who wrote it.

Remember, this is their story. Don’t try to make it yours.

Take it from me, this is an excellent way to learn from the valuable insight of the LCRW membership and their sensitivity to your hard work. One fine day, I heard about this critiquing process and submitted one of my short essays that was about people, the Adirondacks, kayaking, and the great outdoors. Returned to me a few days later were about a half dozen or so reviews offering wonderful feedback about my written words and some great ideas to consider to improve the piece.

Not everyone will see what you write the way you see it. Some may give advice you decide not to follow. After all, it was you who wrote it in the first place. But, when three or four members make the same suggestion, THAT is worth hearing. You would be smart to make the suggested changes. 

This may be the opportunity that you’ve been looking for. 

One review session is offered to any author without becoming a group member. Try it. You might like it. Our next critique is July 18, 2026. Please contact us via the contact page on this site to get rules and dates for the July submissions.

lcrwpres Presentation described

Critique Guidelines

Our first of three critiques is coming up on Saturday, March 22. 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 do for you (in addition to the six presentations we have each year.)

This is a LCRW function.  You may participate one time only if you are a non-member. You must be a member to critique.

          ALL manuscripts must be emailed to the moderator, Steve Yates at writingsbysay@yahoo.com by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, July 12th.  (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, or email the author your notes, and attend the meeting also.

          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 pop-up 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, March 22th. Please be ready to start then.

          1605 Buffalo Rd, Rochester, NY 14624 Enter via the Police Annex door at the back of the building. There is plenty of parking. We meet in the first room on the left.  

          Please do not submit first drafts.  Spend some time editing before you send it out.  Also, it is requested you don’t send a modified copy of your manuscript after the original has been dispersed. (When Steve receives a manuscript, he will send it out to those who have already submitted. He will send all the manuscripts at the deadline.

          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.  

          NEW: It was decided at the last critique that, no matter how many entries and volunteers we have, we will all be at one table. That may force us to extremely limit your time to present your critique. Therefore, you must be sure to have everything you wish to say on the paper copy to return to the author.

 

The following information should be on the first page, before your story begins. (You may wish to copy/past this to your manuscript and answer them.)

·       Please include your name and 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.)
lcrwpres Presentation described

Critique Rules

Our second of three critiques is coming up on Saturday, July 22. 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. This applies to writers and guest critiquers.

          ALL manuscripts must be emailed to the moderator, Steve Yates at writingsbysay@yahoo.com by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, July 12th.  (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.

          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 pop-up 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, July 22th. 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.  Also, it is requested you don’t send a modified copy of your manuscript after the original has been dispersed. (When I receive a manuscript, I will send it out to those who have already submitted. I will send all the manuscripts at the deadline.

          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.

          NEW: It was decided at the last critique that, no matter how many entries and volunteers we have, we will all be at one table. That may force us to extremely limit your time to present your critique. Therefore, you must be sure to have everything you wish to say on the paper copy to return to the author.

 

The following information should be on the first page, before your story begins. (You may wish to copy/past 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.)
lcrwpres Posts

Our first of three critiques is coming up on Saturday, March 25.

This is a great time to get a manuscript of up to 2500 words looked at

          ALL manuscripts must be emailed to the moderator, Steve Yates at writingsbysay@yahoo.com by MIDNIGHT on Wednesday, March 15th.  (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.

Please include your email address at the top of the page. Non-members are welcome to have one piece critiqued, without joining the group.

          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.

          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, July 24th. Please be ready to start then.

          Please do not submit first drafts.  Spend some time editing before you send it out.  Also, it is requested you don’t send a modified copy of your manuscript after the original has been dispersed to the group.

·                 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. 

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.)

·       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.)