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. 

2026 Consultants

Poetry: Christy Lee Barnes
Fiction: Kim Purcell 
Fiction: Katie Chambers 
Nonfiction/Memoir: Annemarie Kelly 

terms and conditions

The deadline to submit pages for appointments is passed. All consultation appointments for 2026 conference are closed.

You must be registered for the current year conference. Purchase an appointment with your registration. $50 fee is non-refundable.

  • Pages/poetry is submitted in advance. Writers whose pages are not received by the deadline (Sept. 8) forfeit their appointment to someone on the waitlist. Fee is nonrefundable.
  • Appointments are scheduled during conference hours on Oct 3 and 4, 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.
  • Deadline for submission is Tuesday Sept. 8th. Those who do not submit their pages by deadline will forfeit their scheduled appointment to those on the waitlist.

poetry instructions 

  • One to five poems. All forms of poetry are acceptable. Limit 10 pages.
  • 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” a single document (poetry and biography together).
  • Email your pages to: [email protected]. Only those with a scheduled appointment may send in poetry for critique.
  • Deadline for submission is Tuesday Sept. 8th. Those who do not submit their pages by deadline will forfeit their scheduled appointment to those on the waitlist.