Paid Critiques
Faculty Critiques at Blue Lake Christian Writers ConferenceGet Expert Feedback on Your Writing
Seize the opportunity to have your manuscript critiqued by a knowledgeable faculty member at the conference. You’ll also get the chance to discuss their feedback during a scheduled appointment.
Here’s How to Participate
CHECK REQUIREMENTS
Each faculty member may have specific requirements for submissions. Make sure to review these details beforehand.
PAYMENT
The fee for each critique is $45, payable directly to the faculty member—a fraction of what you might pay for similar services elsewhere.
SUBMISSION PROCESS
Email the faculty member you’ve chosen to confirm their availability and to get payment details. Then, send your work to their email at least one month prior to the date the conference opens.
FORMATTING YOUR WORK
Please format your submission to be double-spaced, using Times New Roman font with numbered pages.
ELIGIBILITY
You must be registered for the conference to request a critique.
Faculty Members Offering Critiques
Submission Guidelines
Contact the faculty member directly. All submissions are due to the faculty by February 19, 2025 along with a $45 payment.
Articles (Print and Online)
Nonfiction that provides instruction or informational content. This category does not include essays, such as those typically found in popular compilation books. The word count for this category should be between 700 and 2,000 words.
Michelle Medlock Adams
Email: iufan@michellemedlockadams.com
Hope Bolinger
Email: hope.bolinger@gmail.com
Craig von Buseck
Email: craigvonbuseck@gmail.com
Tez Brooks
Email: tezwrites@gmail.com
Laine Craft
Email: lainecraft@lainecraft.net
Ginny Cruz
Email: ginnycruzwriting@gmail.com
Linda Gilden
Email: linda@lindagilden.com
Virginia Grounds
Email: vgrounds770@outlook.com
Babbie Mason
Email: babbie@babbie.com
Janet McHenry
Email: janetmchenry@live.com
Karisa Moore
Email: karisam660@gmail.com
Alice Murray
Email: pstyre@aol.com
Susan Neal
Email: SusanNeal@Bellsouth.net
Linda Shepherd
Email: LindaReply@gmail.com
Dr. Mel Tavares
Email: drmeltavares@gmail.com
Tina Yeager
Email: tina@tinayeager.com
Peggy Sue Wells
Email: peggysuewells@gmail.com
Essay
True stories or personal experiences. (These are reminiscent of the pieces found in Chicken Soup for the Soul). The word count for this category should not exceed 1,000 words.
Linda Gilden
Email: linda@lindagilden.com
Blogs
Provide your blog URL and its primary focus.
Laine Craft
Email: lainecraft@lainecraft.net
Ginny Cruz
Email: ginnycruzwriting@gmail.com
Crystal Daye
Email: crystalsdaye@gmail.com
Linda Gilden
Email: linda@lindagilden.com
Alice Murray
Email: pstyre@aol.com
Susan Neal
Email: SusanNeal@Bellsouth.net
Bible Studies (Book length)
Submit a two- to three-page outline along with the first 10 pages, double-spaced.
Craig von Buseck
Email: craigvonbuseck@gmail.com
Devotions
You may submit up to three entries, each no longer than two double-spaced pages.
Craig von Buseck
Email: craigvonbuseck@gmail.com
Ginny Cruz
Email: ginnycruzwriting@gmail.com
Crystal Daye
Email: crystalsdaye@gmail.com
Linda Gilden
Email: linda@lindagilden.com
Alice Murray
Email: pstyre@aol.com
Dr. Mel Tavares
Email: drmeltavares@gmail.com
Nonfiction Books
Submit true life stories, inspirational guidelines, motivational content, or encouragement pieces. Provide a two- to three-page outline and the first 10 pages, which may include the introduction. All pages should be double-spaced.
Craig von Buseck
Email: craigvonbuseck@gmail.com
Linda Gilden
Email: linda@lindagilden.com
Susan Neal
Email: SusanNeal@Bellsouth.net
Dr. Mel Tavares
Email: drmeltavares@gmail.com
Poetry
Three poems or three pages are considered one entry.
Short Stories
Between 1,000 and 3,000 words.
Hope Bolinger
Email: hope.bolinger@gmail.com
Dr. Mel Tavares
Email: drmeltavares@gmail.com
Novellas
Fiction ranging from 20,000 to 30,000 words. Submit a one-page, single-spaced synopsis along with the first pages, up to a maximum of 10 double-spaced pages (including the prologue, if submitted).
Novels
Fiction should range from 45,000 to 100,000 words. Please submit a one-page, single-spaced synopsis along with the first pages, not exceeding 10 double-spaced pages (the prologue, if included, counts as part of the 10 pages). Indicate the genre on the cover sheet. Possible genres include Contemporary Women’s, Romance, Suspense (Romantic/Medical/etc.), Historical (Romance), Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Speculative, and more.
Children’s Picture Book
Submit entire work.
Hope Bolinger
Email: hope.bolinger@gmail.com
Fiction Book Proposals
Submit the complete proposal. The critiquer will review the proposal sections but will NOT provide feedback on the sample chapters.
Hope Bolinger
Email: hope.bolinger@gmail.com
Nonfiction Book Proposal
Send the full proposal. The critiquer will evaluate the proposal sections but will NOT review the sample chapters.
Craig von Buseck
Email: craigvonbuseck@gmail.com
Dawn Damon
Email: dawn@dawnscottdamon.com
Linda Gilden
Email: Linda@lindagilden.com
Susan Neal
Email: SusanNeal@Bellsouth.net
Act Quickly to Secure Your Spot
Spaces for critiques are limited and highly sought after. Contact the faculty member of your choice as soon as possible to book your critique slot. The deadline for submissions is one month prior to the first day of the conference.