GUIDELINES FOR THE NORWESCON WRITERS' WORKSHOP

The Fairwood Writers are pleased to sponsor the writing workshop for Norwescon 27 in 2004. We will accept both short and long fiction submissions according to the following manuscript guidelines:

Short fiction must be complete and no longer than 10,000 words (up to a maximum of three manuscripts).

Long fiction, including novels, novellas, etc., must only be submitted in part; we will accept the first three chapters totaling no more than 15,000 words. You must also include a complete outline and/or a short synopsis (1,000 words max.) for the piece.

All fiction must be in proper manuscript form:

1-inch margins on all sides
Type must be double-spaced
Font no smaller than 12-point size (Courier preferred)

First page must include:

Author's name and address in upper left corner
Approximate word count in upper right corner
Story title and byline (start halfway down page)
Story starts double-spaced (at least) under byline

Upper right corner of second page (and all following pages) must include:

Story title (shortened, if necessary)
Author's last name
Page number
Use underlining instead of italics
Do not use boldface

Remember, just like editors everywhere, we will not read illegible manuscripts, especially dot-matrix print that is too light. If your printer ribbon needs to be replaced, either get a new one, borrow one, or print on someone else's printer! If all else fails, you can always use a typewriter (if anyone remembers how).

More information on manuscript format and other writing topics can be found at www.sfwa.org/writing.

Please include a brief cover letter with your e-mail address and a phone number in case we need to contact you, the genre of your submission(s), and a brief bio covering your writing and workshop experience as well as your writing goals.

All manuscripts submitted on time will be scheduled for our individual critique sessions (one author per session, with a minimum of four pros). However, for authors who choose to participate, we are offering a special "round-robin" critique session. This session is open to the first 3-4 writers who request it (but if we get enough requests, we may be able to add a second session). Participants may only submit a short story of no more than 7,000 words for the round-robin (no novel chapters or partial manuscripts), and all participants must agree to do a written critique of the other manuscripts submitted for the round-robin and present an oral critique during the session at the Con (manuscripts will be mailed to all participants ahead of time). We plan to have three or more pros reading the round-robin stories as well and participating in the critiquing.

Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2004.

Please indicate which session you are submitting for and send your manuscripts to:

Norwescon 27 Writers Workshop
c/o Fairwood Writers Group
4607 NE 19th St.
Renton, WA 98059

Please provide sufficient postage for mailing, although return postage is not required. Manuscripts sent C.O.D. or with insufficient postage will be returned unread. Round-robin return postage will be provided.

If you have any questions or comments, please address them to Norwescon care of the Fairwood Writers, or you can send e-mail via writersworkshop at norwescon.org. The Fairwood Writers, and all writers from the Con who participate in the workshop, look forward to reading your stories and meeting you at Norwescon.