We shall continue to offer the critique service for entered stories: for an additional £3 we shall provide a basic critique of your story, and cover the biggest problems/areas of work first. These critiques are normally about an A4 page in length and are designed to help in correcting the basic issues, but may include notes on pace, dialogue, characterisation, plot etc. These critiques will only be sent back to the writer after the respective competition has closed and the winning stories announced.
**Please note that payment for this service can be found as options in the entry fee submission menu in the 'Contact Us' page**
In addition to this regular service we are opening-up the critique service to include non-Competition entries, which will fall into three categories:
Stories up to 3,000 words Stories between 3,001-6,000 words, and Stories between 6,001-10,000 words
And two levels of Critique available:
Basic, and Detailed
Our Basic service (as above) will include a simple overview of your story and its initial impact on the reader. This will include (but not be restricted to) corrections/suggestions for any typos, layout and formatting etc, and will be approx. 1 page in length.
Our Detailed service, in addition to that offered in the Basic service, will include a more thorough examination of characterisation, pace, plot and originality, and may be up to 3 pages in length.
Our aim with any of these critiques is to assist the writer in getting a piece of work in the best possible condition for professional submission, or at the very least help the writer to produce better future work. It is our goal to get non-Competition critiques returned to the writer - depending on current work-load - within two weeks, via email. If you would prefer a printed copy or do not have an email address, please ensure a suitable SAE is included with your submission.
Non-Competition critique submissions may be posted to us at our usual address, or emailed to: entries[at]meridfian-writing.co.uk with 'critique service' in the subject line (obviously substitute the [at] with @). Payment may be made either through PayPal via the link below or through conventional post/cheque and made payable to 'Meridian Writing'. If sending your work through the post and you want your story returned, please ensure a suitable SAE is included with your submission.
Critique Testimonials
"Thank you so much for the critique of my story. I appreciate the obvious care that has gone into your comments and the specific nature of your advice, all of which I wholeheartedly agree with (why are these things so obvious when other people point them out?) and which will enable me to tighten up the story and learn." - Liz Martinez, Berkshire
"I have read your review of my story and please be assured, I did not think it harsh. I would not have wanted namby-pamby feedback and am pleased that you gave me such strong feedback." - Kate Bedford, West Yorkshire
"Thank you so much for your critique: very useful!" - Lucy Walker, Birmingham
