Below, each of our four enrollment options (three with manuscript critiques) is described in detail: who should apply; plus the features, responsibilities, and perks of each group.

All enrollees participate in the full array of workshop offerings (one-track focus sessions, clinics, keynotes, and Q-A). Additionally, attendees may enjoy:

• Our pre-workshop manual, personalized worksheets, and peer-manuscript anthology
  
  
• Access to the “Members Only” area of our website (bulletin board for enrollees, past and present)

To see an overview of our workshop’s distinctive features, click here.

Writers today must pursue their publication goals systematically. Many agents and editors have closed their doors to submissions—except through personal referrals. These include queries and manuscripts from writers they’ve met at workshops. So, regardless of which PCCWW group you enroll in, meeting our faculty can provide all-important contacts—which, for some of our writers, have also led to contracts!

Below, here’s the scoop on critiques. Which group do you think suits you best?

GROUP 1

FACE-TO-FACE CRITIQUES
With editor and agent on 10 to 15 manuscript pages, plus up to 250-word synopsis.

DESCRIPTION

Group 1 is reserved for the most skilled applicants, published and not-yet published, about whom the following statements are true:

• The writer’s manuscript is a highly polished, literary, character-driven novel—and is likely to offer educational benefits for all attendees.
  
  
• The genre is realistic contemporary or historical fiction with credible, compelling characters and a thought-provoking message.
  
  
• The writer has received professional manuscript critiques (from workshops/book doctors) and is willing to be critiqued by our three-member faculty in a team-taught, masterclass format (i.e., all peers observe). For details about our masterclass critic clinics, click here.
  
  
• The writer has submitted an e-application by our “priority” deadline, April 17.
  
  
• To provide material for the masterclass clinics, the writer will photocopy and postal-mail an approved manuscript submission for faculty and peers. (See Manuscript Sharing below.)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Manuscript Sharing: In June, Group 1 writers submit packets for the workshop director and faculty—and up to six peers—to be discussed in masterclass clinics. Each packet includes 10 to 15 manuscript pages, a synopsis of up to 250-words, a Cover-Evaluation Sheet for critiquers, and a priority-mail SASE for the author to receive of other Group 1 manuscripts. Cost to photocopy manuscripts (try low-cost Staple’s) and postage/envelopes: $15 to $20. These manuscripts are your “textbook”—a worthwhile investment.

Before the workshop, every Group 1 enrollee provides a thoughtful written critique of at least five other Group 1 manuscripts (each 10 to 15 pages, plus up to 250-word synopsis), mainly the peer critiquer’s own selections. 

PERKS

In terms of personal critiques, PCCWW is like three workshops rolled into one. As a Group 1 writer, you’ll be able to compare three professional points of view—that of editor, agent and faculty author—regarding your manuscript’s merits. Individual tastes always vary, so these three viewpoints will give you a balanced perspective. You’ll also receive written critiques from knowledgeable peers in Groups 1-4.

“A novel is... a whale of a dream. You have to go under for a long time
 into the dark waters of the mind.” — Natalie Goldberg