Paid Critiques

For an additional fee of $45.00 (over and above Conference Registration Fees) you may opt to purchase critiques of your manuscript and/or synopsis and a fifteen-thirty minute critique session with the reviewer of your choice.

All submissions should follow standard manuscript formatting unless otherwise noted (Courier or Times New Roman font, 12 point font size, double spaced with 1-inch margins). You will be contacted and provided with instruction regarding your reviewer’s preferred method of delivery. Submission must be received by the reviewer’s deadline.

The Conference Appointment Coordinator, Casey Miller, will schedule your critique appointment. All times are CDT for the virtual conference.You will receive the date/time/location of your appointment prior to the virtual conference.

Adding a Paid Critique to your choice of additional options will be part of the Conference Registration process. Payment will be submitted along with Conference Registration Fees.

PLEASE NOTE: The Paid Critique service includes only ONE critique of the work submitted. Critiques of revised pages ARE NOT included and SHOULD NOT be requested from your reviewer.

Reviewers Available

Please read each reviewer’s guidelines as they vary per submission length and entry deadline. On the Conference Registration Form, you will be asked to indicate a first and second choice, in the event your first choice is unavailable. Critiquers only have a limited number of slots available. Selection is done on a first come basis, so be sure to register early.

2021 Paid Critiques



Melanie Dobson

Deadline: 08/09/2024

Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction|Historical Fiction|Historical Romance|Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: FILLED

Bio: Writing fiction is Melanie Dobson’s excuse to immerse herself in the past by reading old books, interviewing new friends, and exploring fascinating places around the world. She is the award-winning author of almost thirty historical, time-slip, and romantic suspense novels including The Wings of Poppy Pendleton, Catching the Wind, and Memories of Glass. Five of her novels have received Carol Awards, and The Black Cloister, her novel about a dangerous cult, was named the ForeWord Religious Fiction Book of the Year.

Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master’s degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, she was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and owner of Dobson Media Group. When she’s not writing, Melanie enjoys hiking, traveling, hosting a monthly writer’s group, and teaching as an adjunct professor at Corban University. More information about her journey is available at melaniedobson.com.

What to Send: 15 pages plus 2 page synopsis Also crit Dual Timeline



Betsy St. Amant Haddox

Deadline: 07/20/2024

Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction|Contemporary Romance|Romantic Suspense|Women's Fiction|Young Adult
Submit Via: Email
Status: FILLED

Bio: Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over twenty romance novels and novellas. She resides in north Louisiana with her hubby, two daughters, an impressive stash of coffee mugs, and one furry Schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored to truth. When she’s not composing her next book or baby-talking her dog, Betsy can be found somewhere in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for iBelieve, a devotional site for women, and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC.


What to Send: First 3000 words and a one page summary Betsy St. Amant Haddox is the author of over twenty-five romance novels and novellas. She resides in Louisiana with her hubby, two daughters, an impressive stash of coffee mugs, and one furry Schnauzer-toddler. Betsy has a B.A. in Communications and a deep-rooted passion for seeing women restored to truth. When she’s not composing her next book or baby-talking her dog, Betsy can be found somewhere in the vicinity of an iced coffee. She writes frequently for iBelieve, a devotional site for women, and offers author coaching and editing services through Storyside LLC



Carrie Stuart Parks

Deadline: 08/26/2024

Genre(s): Contemporary Fiction|Mystery/Suspense/Thriller|Romantic Suspense|Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.carriestuartparks.com

Bio: Carrie Stuart Parks is a multi-Christy, Carol, Golden Scroll, Kudos, and Inspy award-winning author in addition to numerous other awards. An internationally known forensic artist, she teaches courses in forensic art to law enforcement professionals across the US and Canada and is the largest instructor of forensic art in the world. Carrie is a popular speaker and presenter and has been the Special Guest at the Writer’s Police Academy, Early Bird Special Presenter along with Frank Peretti at the American Christian Fiction Writers, Keynote at the Oregon Christian Writer’s Conference, as well as presented at ThrillerFest, Daphne Du Maurier’s Kiss of Death, BlueRidge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference, and numerous other conferences. As a professional fine artist, she is a signature member of the Idaho Watercolor Society. Her paintings hanging in a number of corporate and private collections. She has written and illustrated non-fiction best-selling art books for North Light Publishers.





What to Send: First 10 pages plus synopsis. Participants will have a written critique of their work sent.



Carrie Turansky

Deadline: 08/10/2024

Genre(s): Contemporary Romance|Historical Fiction|Historical Romance|Women's Fiction
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: http://www.carrieturansky.com

Bio: Carrie Turansky is the bestselling author of eighteen inspirational romance novels and novellas. She writes both historical and contemporary fiction and is the winner of the ACFW Carol Award, the International Digital Award, and the Crystal Globe Award. Carrie has been a member of ACFW since 2000 and looks forward attending the conference each year. She loves to encourage aspiring authors and pass along encouragement and ideas to help them polish their writing and move toward publication. Visit her website for writers’ tips and information about her books: http://carrieturansky.com/



What to Send: Please send the first 20 pages. Also please send a 1 - 2 page synopsis and tell me the genre.



Kimberley Woodhouse

Deadline: 08/01/2024

Genre(s): Historical Romance|Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Submit Via: Email
Status: open
Web Site: https://kimberleywoodhouse.com

Bio: Kimberley Woodhouse is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than forty books. A lover of history and research, she often gets sucked into the past and then her husband has to lure her out with chocolate and the promise of eighteen holes on the golf course. Married to the love of her life for more than three decades, she lives and writes in Colorado where she’s traded in her hat of “Craziest Mom” for “Nana the Great.” To find out more about Kim’s books, follow her on social media, and sign up for her newsletter/blog, go to: https://kimberleywoodhouse.com


What to Send: Up to the first 10 pages, double spaced