Akron, Ohio

CRITIQUING:

1. We have a variety of writers in our group encompassing various genres. Of course, you may not be familiar with or particularly care for every genre, but make an effort to objectively read and consider each submission regardless of your own particular tastes. The goal is not for everyone to write something that everyone in the group would buy in a store and read. The goal is to create great stories that deliver for their particular audience.
2. Written comments should be provided for each of the submitters at the meeting. Some members choose to print the entire manuscript and write comments throughout. Others provide a written summary. 
3. Copy-editing is always appreciated; however please examine the structural aspects of the story as well. Every story, regardless of genre, will possess the same three elements: PLOT, CHARACTER, SETTING. How well are each of these achieved?
4. Critiques are meant to be direct, constructive, honest and as specific as possible. Point out what works well and what doesn’t.  Suggest ways to improve.
5. Personal attacks upon fellow group members will not be tolerated.

LISTENING:
Accepting criticism of your work can be hard, but everyone at AWG is trying to improve, just like you.

1. Feel free to take notes during the critique.
2. Things go smoother if you there aren’t interruptions during the critiques. You will be given an opportunity to ask questions and make comments when everyone has finished reviewing your piece.
3. No one person’s opinion is absolute truth. Don’t try to defend your submission if you don’t agree with a particular critique. If someone makes a suggestion that you do not agree with, feel free to disregard it. However, if twelve people make the same suggestion - this might be an indication of universal opinion.
4. Don’t let a harsh critique stop you. Many writers, including those published and well-respected, go through as many as 20-30 (sometimes more) drafts of the same story before it is accepted for publication. A harsh critique is not necessarily indicative of a dead end.

SUBMITTING:

1. New members must attend two meetings before submitting their own work.
2. Members may not submit for two consecutive meetings unless there is an open slot that can’t be filled.
3. Submissions should be between 1 and 18 pages in length (less than 5000 words).
4. No one scene/chapter/portion of a piece can be submitted more than 3 times.
5. You do not have to submit pieces in order to attend meetings. Feel free to come and critique until you feel comfortable putting your own work out there.
6. If a submission is part of a larger work, please provide a concisely written synopsis of the stories’ previous events to help the reader understand where they are in the story.
7. Make every effort to attend the meetings for which you have submitted. Everyone understands that emergencies happen, but if at all possible let us know ahead of time.
8. All submissions must be in one of the following file types: .DOC (not .DOCX), .TXT, or .RTF. Adobe PDF's are also acceptable, but it limits the ability of those reviewing to easily add inline comments via MS Word. If you have any problem understanding how to submit in an acceptable file format, ask for help.
9. Deadline for submissions is at 9:00 p.m. on the SUNDAY previous to the Thursday meeting. Late submitters are subject to nagging and meaningful looks at the next meeting. Early submitters get bragging rights.

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