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About SCBWI national

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The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, formed in 1971 by a group of Los Angeles based writers for children, is the only international organization to offer a variety of services to people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children’s literature. The SCBWI acts as a network for the exchange of knowledge between writers, illustrators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. There are currently more than 19,000 members worldwide, in over 70 regions, making it the largest children's writing organization in the world.

find out more, go to  scbwi.org

About SCBWI
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Critique Services PDF Print E-mail
Image    Our critique service provides invaluable professional input from writers and illustrators who are published. Whether you’re looking for editorial input on a work-in-progress, or have a finished manuscript on which you’d like feedback to help you determine whether it’s ready to submit, our Critique Service can help. We also provide portfolio critiques for illustrators.

    Joyce Case Potter, of Winston-Salem, is our coordinator. When you send Joyce your work, she’ll match it up with the critiquer who’s most qualified to read it. The fee for a manuscript or portfolio critique is $50 for SCBWI members, $60 for non-members. Here’s how it works:

•    You email ten pages of your manuscript to Joyce at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it If you want to query Joyce about it first, please email her and put “Critique Service Request” in the subject line
•    If it’s a picture book, send the entire manuscript. Illustrators will mail samples to the illustrator once Joyce has found a match
•    All manuscripts should be 12 pt. type, double-spaced, with one-inch margins
•    The generally-accepted font for manuscripts is New Courier or Times New Roman. Avoid script or decorative type
•    Include a brief synopsis of your manuscript if it’s a middle grade, YA, historical fiction, or fantasy novel
•    Please send the beginning of your manuscript and not a chapter from the middle or ending, if possible. Whether your plot gets off to a compelling and effective start is one of the things your critiquer will be looking for, as will editors
•    Once you’ve sent you manuscript to Joyce, and hear back from her, please mail your check - made out to SCBWI-Carolinas - to Joyce Case Potter, 4055 Stillwell Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106
•    Once your check is received, Joyce will forward your manuscript to the appropriate critiquer The critiquer will mail it back to you in hard copy, along with editorial comments on the manuscript and a letter
•    Please make sure to include your name, mailing address, and email along with your manuscript

    While our Service can help improve and strengthen your manuscript, we do not guarantee that you’ll get your work published. It’s a service for writers and illustrators who want suggestions for making their work better.

    If you have any questions, please email Joyce Case Potter at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it