I just threw this together from what seemed to be the general consensus on the other thread, so tell me if there's anything I'm missing (or that you passionately disagree with) and I'll edit.
Deadlines: Sorry, you can't just submit whenever you feel like it. Instead, we'll hand you a submission deadline. If you don't make the submission deadline, we'll laugh at you. If you're late, we may not be able to read and critique it in a timely fashion.
Currently RE is experimenting with a new way of doing submissions. Instead of monthly submissions, we will have submission "applications". Submission dates will be Monday of any week. If you want to submit, you will apply by posting in the e-mail linked thread below by Saturday of the previous week. Chaos and I will choose who gets to submit based on who hasn't had critiques recently. There are few enough of us right now that all of those who want to will probably be able to submit, but pay attention to the Email/Submissions thread just in case.Formatting: Do NOT post your submission to this forum. Instead, send your submission to everybody (just once, please!) on the Reading Excuses email list (available
here). Attachments should be .doc, .rtf, or .pdf files (
not .docx, not everyone can read those!); please use 1.5 or double spacing and a legible font. Courier and Times New Roman are manuscript standard.
After emailing, start a thread here on the Reading Excuses forum. Title the thread "date of submission - piece title - chapter number (if applicable)". You don't need to say much, it just gives us a place to go at it, and eliminates the possibility of three people starting the same thread at once. You'll start a new thread per each story or chapter so that threads don't get too huuuuuuge.
Length: We have come to a very democratic, very arbitrary decision that around 3500 words is a reasonable maximum per submission. This is a ballpark - if you want to submit a complete story or chapter that runs above this, go for it. But If you give us 50 pages to read all at once, we will whine. And throw stuff. And we might not read it all.
Genre: We're not putting any restrictions on genre (for now). We'll still read literary fiction. You should bear in mind, though, that most of us are speculative fiction writers, getting together to critique mostly speculative fiction-y stuff. That doesn't mean we're not discerning readers, but if you're doing something wildly different you should probably take some of our comments with a grain of salt. (Well, an extra grain of salt.)
Content: We don't want to restrict content either. We do ask that when you email us a submission, you label it for
Language,
Drug Use,
Violence, or
Sexual Content if necessary.
Ettiquette: Be fair (not nice). Don't be nasty, but do say what you think. And don't apologize every time you offer a criticism.
Say what's working exceptionally well as well as what isn't working at all. If something isn't working, tell us why. Sometimes it's best to let the author figure out what to do. Sometimes specific suggestions help, but don't try to write someone's story for them.
Don't spend too much time critiquing grammar, punctuation, etcetera (unless the author asks for it for some reason). Focus on the big things.
You get what you give. If you skimp on critiquing our stuff, we'll skimp on yours. (We we realize that not everyone will be able to critique everybody's submission every time. That's fine. We do think it's reasonable for everyone to critique at least one manuscript for everyone they submit. Beyond that, do your level best to give as many critiques as you can without killing yourself over it.)
Defending your work against people's criticisms is generally not useful. Asking pointed questions is perfectly fine.
Finally, do NOT share someone else's story with anyone outside the group, unless you have their express permission to do so.
