BayCon 1997 Writers' Workshop Page



BayCon 1997 presents a
Speculative Fiction Writers' Workshop

The BayCon Writers' Workshop is a mutual help group for experienced and beginning writers, based on the principle that good critiquing skills make good writing skills. It provides members the opportunity to have their manuscripts evaluated by selling authors who enjoy helping them grow as artists.

This is not a competition. Participants work in a quiet, secluded room to exchange critiques of entrants' submissions based on story structure, plot, and style. Due to the critical nature of this workshop, it is not recommended for anyone under eighteen.

There is a nominal fee for entering the Workshop to cover photocopying and postage costs. All manuscripts must be submitted in advance as there will be no on-the-spot reading for critiques. Authors are expected to attend their assigned section, which can be scheduled any day of the convention. Each section lasts three hours.

Multiple submissions are accepted; however a new fee must be paid for each manuscript. Because of possible limitations in scheduling, we can only guarantee that one submission per member will be critiqued. We ask that each manuscript be accompanied by a separate check in case it needs to be returned. Second submissions are scheduled on a first-come-first-served basis. Please specify which of your submissions should be given priority if we are only able to schedule one of your manuscripts.

Collaborative submissions will be treated as a single entry. Each member of the team receives his/her own copies of the other manuscripts in their section and will be expected to offer their individual critiques.

Manuscripts may be either novels or short stories.

Workshop requirements are:

  1. Stories must be either Science Fiction, Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, or have a fantastic element of some kind.
  2. All submissions must be received at the Writers' Workshop postmarked no later than April 15, 1997.
  3. Manuscript submissions can have up to 7,500 words. Manuscripts should conform to professional submissions standards.
  4. Longer pieces or novels must include a summary with a writing sample (the beginning is preferred). The summary counts as part of the 7,500 words.
  5. Authors must be pre-registered BayCon '97 members.

Manuscripts must be accompanied by your BayCon '97 membership number or payment of a full-attending membership and a check or money order for $25.00 to cover the entry fee.

Send manuscripts to:

BayCon '97 Writers' Workshop
P.O. Box 6783
San Jose, CA 95150-6783

Should you have an further questions or concerns you may call (408) 243-2392
To contact the Writers Workshop Coordinator

To see the FAQ about BayCon 1997


This page was last updated on June 13, 1997
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