Manuscripts & Formatting

Members in good standing are welcome to send manuscripts in to CWGemail nine days prior to our scheduled meeting which are then dispersed to the general membership to be reviewed, commented and noted upon in preparation for our discussion with the author at the critique workshop.  Below are the requirements for all documents.  Please carefully review this list before sending your manuscript.

  • 10-12 pt font
  • serif font, such as Times New Roman
  • 1″ margin all around
  • no title page (remember, each member is printing out a copy on their own to return to you, please do not burden them with an unnecessary title page.)
  • pages numbered
  • author’s name, title of piece, contact information (e.g. working email address, cell phone, home phone number) and date on top of the first page
  • 1 1/2 to 2 line spaced
  • maximum 10 pages (20 for screenplays)
  • saved into (listed in order of preference):
  • *.doc (please do not send *.wps files saved from MS Works. From MS Works, change the file setting during the save to *.doc)
  • *.rtf/*.txt
  • *.pdf (Abobe portable document file)

Always scan your document with a current, up-to-date virus protection program before sending your document.

When sending your email, for priority attention, please write the following in the subject line: CWG Your Name MS Date of Workshop.  (Example: CWG Kathie Leung MS 12.27.08).

Updated: Please keep your file names short (9 or less characters) and devoid of spaces and characters (such as asterisks. Underscores and hyphens are fine). Also, if you are planning on sending a piece that has multiple installments, such as a novel, give some thought to your file names. Some suggestions:

  • Title of Novel: Green Eggs and Ham – the real story about the plague.
  • Suggested file names: KL-GEH_001.doc
  • What it means: Author’s initials (Kathie Leung) plus hyphen to differentiate title (GEH) plus underscore to identify the installment number (001). The next one would thus be: KL-GEH_002.doc.

It may seem a bit over the top, but when we have authors sharing numerous installments and diligent members who compile the manuscripts to refer back as the story progresses, it makes a world of difference!

Note: The file names are recommended, the length, characters and omission of spaces is required.

Also, in the body of your email, include any specific information you wish to pass along to the critiquers.  You may want us to only consider the characters – are they round enough? Convincing? Or it could be just the setting.  You might want us to focus only on a specific element, a combination of such or … well, that’s up to you.  If you’d prefer only positive feedback, that’s perfectly fine!  Just be sure to note such in the body of your email.

Very Important! If your manuscript is considered rated “R”, meaning there is graphic sex, violence, etc. you must note this in the body of your email.  Manuscripts are not read before being dispersed and when we do, from time to time, have minors attending, or individuals who have stated they prefer not to read/critique such work, the organizer must be alerted to this.  And in answer to the inevitable question, yes, we do read, review and critique rated “R” and even “X” manuscripts.  In fact, we really enjoy mixing things up and sinking our teeth into these, so by all means, don’t feel hesitant in sending them along.  Just be sure to note such!

Please check your email periodically between sending in your manuscript and when manuscripts are dispersed.  If there is a problem or question with your manuscript, while we will make an effort to contact you via other means (e.g. phone) to clarify and resolve the issue, if you fail to respond in a timely manner to address the situation your manuscript could get forced to a later slot, including a later meeting date.

Equally important, recipients of manuscripts must complete the following upon receipt of their manuscript packet:

  • Download each manuscript (although manuscripts should have been scanned twice already for viruses prior to your receipt, it’s always good practice to scan before opening the document on your own computer).
  • Open each document and quickly skim over it to make sure it is opening well and hasn’t become scrambled.
  • Finally, and equally important, reply to the email letting the sender know that (a) the documents were received and (b) opened okay (likewise, if you have any problems, an immediate response is required).

Be certain to review (printing out is optional but urged) the email instructions accompanying manuscripts as the authors of the assigned manuscripts sometimes have specific things they want you to consider and respond about during the critique session.

Manuscripts should be printed out, read several times before making any notes or marks on the print-out, commented upon and edited and brought with you to the meeting.  More information is provided under the topic “Critiquing.”

Questions may be emailed to CWGemail.

Page last updated 12.14.2009.