Kudos to Blue Pencil

Dear NOWW organizers;

I want to let other NOWW members know what an excellent service the Blue Pencil is. The anonymous critiquing service left me really impressed. It was very helpful, discussing areas of the manuscript that I knew needed improvement but didn't know how to approach. I used this service to review my entry in the annual writing contest and was impressed with the feedback, which incidentally, helped me realise why my entry didn't win! Something that was invisible to me became very obvious once it was pointed out.

The greatest part about this service is that although the content of the review may be negative, the comments are presented in a positive manner. The reviewer provided valuable insight and specific suggestions for improvement that I was able use effectively, and the encouragement to rewrite the story instead of giving up. I can't recommend Blue Pencil enough.

Thanks!

The writer remains annoymous as is the policy with all Blue Pencil correspondance. For more into on the Blue Pencil service, visit the NOWW site http://nowwwriters.org/?page_id=53 or scroll way down, way down this site to links below.

Note: you do not have to be a Blue Pencil member to take advantage of this service for writers.

GOOD NEWS - BLUE PENCIL FOR ALL

A valuable service, previously available only to NOWW (Northwestern Ontario Writers' Workshop) members is now open to the general public thanks to a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.

A Critique Service. You can now submit your manuscript for a critique from a NOWW reviewer for a small charge. Reviewers provide comments and advice on how to improve your writing. They are encouraging but honest. Fees range from $22.50 to $30, a steal when you consider that similar critique services can run $100 or more. Blue Pencil will accept memoir, short story, novel excerpt, poetry or non-fiction up to 5000 words (or 100 lines in the case of poetry).

Submitting writers and reviewers remain anonymous from each other.

Rules for Submission of Manuscripts. Please print and keep.

1. Manuscripts must be printed in 12 pt type, white paper, double spaced.
2.A cheque payable to NOWW must accompany each submission.
3. A stamped self addressed envelope must accompany the submission.
4. A separate cover page must include writer's name, address, phone number, e-mail if available, the title of the piece, genre and a word count. (line count for poetry)
5. Manuscripts should have headers with title and page number but no identifying marks.
6. If you have specific questions, write them at the end of your manuscript.
7. Only one submission at a time.
8. Maximum word count is 5000

Fees for NOWW members - up to 1000 words, $15. From 1001 to 2500, $20. From 2501-5000, $30. Poetry is $20.

Fees for non members - up to 1000 words $22.50. From 1001 to 2500, #30. from 2501 words to 5000, $45. Poetry is $30.

Send your submission to
Blue Pencil Annonymous
c/o 358 McIntyre St.
Thunder Bay, ON, P7A 3C1