Manuscript and Poetry Critiques

Write on the Sound provides an opportunity to have part of your manuscript and/or poetry reviewed by a professional author or writing instructor. Designed for both the novice and the published writer, a limited number of appointments are offered with an additional non-refundable fee when you register for the conference. 

2025 Consultants

Anne Elliott (fiction - Sun Oct 5, only)
Elena Hartwell (fiction - Sat Oct 4, only)
Ken Letko (poetry - Sat Oct 4 & Sun Oct 5)
Andrea Karin Nelson (fiction/nonfiction - Sat Oct 4 & Sun Oct 5)
Ronit Plank (nonfiction/memoir - Sat Oct 4, only)

terms and conditions

You must be registered for the current year conference. Purchase an appointment with your registration. $47 fee is non-refundable.

  • Pages/poetry is submitted in advance. Writers whose pages are not received by the deadline (Sept. 5) forfeit their appointment to someone on the waitlist. Fee is nonrefundable.
  • Appointments are scheduled during conference hours on Oct 4 and 5, and are limited to first come, first served, based on availability. A wait list may be available (based on the reviewers' availability).
  • You will receive a confirmation email after registration. You will then receive either an email or a phone call from the office to schedule your appointment day and time. Appointments will be made in the order of registrations received.

fiction and nonfiction instructions

  • Limit one manuscript.
  • Pages must be digitally formatted as a PDF or a Microsoft WORD document, double spaced, on a standard 8.5 x 11 page layout, 1-inch margins on all sides, in a standard copy font (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, etc.), 10, 11 or 12 points. No scans of handwritten work.
  • No book cover design or illustrations.
  • Page 1 is a short synopsis of your story, or a query or pitch, followed by a brief author biography. Pages 2-11 are the first 10 pages of your manuscript.
  • “Save As” a single document only as a PDF or Microsoft WORD document.
  • Email your pages to: [email protected]. Only those with a scheduled appointment may send in pages for critique.

poetry instructions 

  • One to five poems. All forms of poetry are acceptable.
  • Pages must be digitally formatted as a PDF or a Microsoft WORD document on a standard 8.5 x 11 page layout, 1-inch margins on all sides, in a standard copy font (Arial, Times New Roman, Calibri, etc.), 10, 11 or 12 points.
  • No scans of handwritten work; no designs, photos or illustrations.
  • Include a brief author biography on an additional page (page number 11).
  • “Save As” one document (poetry and biography together).
  • Email your pages to: [email protected]. Only those with a scheduled appointment may send in poetry for critique.