Paid Critique, that is.
As those of you who have been to a writing conference know, that's something you can pay a little extra for, and it gets you a critique from one of the conference faculty: an editor, an agent, or a published writer.
Make no mistake: this is TOTALLY WORTH DOING.
But what should one send? Organizers will tell you to send your best work, but what if your best work is already out in someone's slushpile? Do you send something you're still working on, but make it as good as you can? Or do you assume that since no-one's jumped on it yet, that work you queried those editors or agents with might need a pair of expert eyes?
I usually send in something I'm working on, since I do believe in drawing the line somewhere and once I send something out I consider it "done" unless the person I sent it to asks for revisions, but I'm very curious about what you all do.
What do you send? When is a manuscript off limits for a professional critique?
Great blog, Ishta!
ReplyDeleteI've never attended a conference before, but if I do, I think I would bring something from my WIP along, not something I'm "done" editing. After all, if there's something to learn, you'll learn it on whatever text you've got at hand, it doesn't need to be a "special" piece of work. :)
I think something that isn't out there yet is a good bet. But I also wouldn't send in a first draft.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the critiques at conferences are so helpful. I've only had one manuscript until now so I submitted it. But I think I'm done with getting that critiqued so I would probably want to get some advice on my new manuscript.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a manuscript is ever off limits for a critique. I feel differently about poetry, which I think too personal to get involved with.
ReplyDeleteI think it's awesome you have more than one thing to send. That's the mark of a real author!
ReplyDeleteConsidering I haven't approached the sending out portion, much less the getting critiques side of the equation, I'm going to subscribe to comments and listen to what the more-informed have to say.
ReplyDeleteI would send my best work. The slush pile is no guarantee. Send whatever it is you're ready to market - the more eyes the better!
ReplyDeleteI would send my best work. That means that you've taken it as far as you possibly can by yourself. The professional critique allows you to exceed your own boundaries at that point.
ReplyDelete